But in nine completed innings across this series, no player has raised the bat for a century. Given the way the pink Dukes ball behaved on day one, there’s every chance that trend will continue.
The signs of a quick Test were evident three days ago at Australia’s only training session under lights. Fresh pink balls were brutally dispatched to all parts of Sabina Park, with a handful even going over the roof and into the Kingston night.
Anderson Phillip takes a catch to dismiss Travis Head.Credit: AP
It was a sign of things to come, with Pat Cummins clubbing three sixes in a Saturday night cameo of 24 from 17 balls to get Australia’s quicks a late crack at the West Indies.
By the time sunset arrived, with Australia in a decent position at 3-138 at the tea break, it was clear the visitors weren’t going to stick around. It was very much a “get them before they get you” approach.
Steve Smith’s loose waft outside off stump — caught at first slip for 48 off Shamar Joseph (4-33) — triggered yet another collapse. Locals at the Kingston Cricket Club raised their rum bottles in delight.
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It wasn’t all fourth and fifth gear for Australia though as Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja scored just 16 runs off the first 12 overs of the innings in energy-sapping conditions.
Konstas’ tough tour continued though when he was trapped in front by Justin Graves for 17 from 53 balls. It was his second-longest Test innings, but another missed opportunity to press his case for the Ashes.
All of Australia’s top five got starts — Khawaja (23), Cameron Green (46), Smith (48), and Travis Head (20) — but none converted, as the visitors failed to assert dominance.
Mitchell Starc gave Australia a breakthrough in the fifth over, removing Kevlon Anderson to claim wicket No.396 in his 100th Test.
