Islamabad, July 4, 2025: Australia’s top-order batting lineup once more failed against the West Indies pace attack, as the visiting side lost four wickets for 93 runs on the opening morning of the second Test on Thursday in Grenada.
Alzarri Joseph secured two wickets, including Steve Smith, as the touring side—who had weak beginnings in both innings of the opening Test—collapsed with three wickets falling for just three runs midway through the session after skipper Pat Cummins decided to bat first.
After a promising opening partnership of 47, the two openers were dismissed within the space of three deliveries.
Usman Khawaja was trapped leg-before by Joseph. Sam Konstas edged a drive off Anderson Phillip, returning to Test cricket after 18 months, offering a simple catch to wicket-keeper Shai Hope.
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Smith, who was absent from the first Test due to a finger injury suffered during the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s three weeks earlier, mishit a pull shot off Joseph which was safely caught by Phillip near the long-leg boundary.
Travis Head, who was the “Player-of-the-Match” in Australia’s 159-run victory in Barbados the previous week, then partnered with Cameron Green. The pair nearly guided Australia to the lunch interval before Green fell for 26, caught at gully by West Indies captain Roston Chase off Jayden Seales’ bowling.
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Head remained unbeaten on 17 at the break.
Both sides made one change from the previous Test. Phillip was brought in to replace left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican for the West Indies, while Smith replaced Josh Inglis for Australia.
Former West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite became the tenth West Indian to achieve this milestone.
This Test also marks the 99th appearance for Australia’s left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc, who is just nine wickets away from reaching 400 Test dismissals.
