Brisbane, Jan 27: The Steve Smith and Cameron Green withstood a late West Indies assault to head to stumps at 2-60 on day three of the second NRMA Insurance Test at the Gabba, leaving Australia needing a further 156 for victory and a two-nil series win.
And the valiant tourists will likely have to make do on Sunday without their outstanding rookie quick Shamar Joseph, who was the victim of a Mitchell Starc yorker while batting, was forced to retire hurt with a very sore big toe, and has not taken part in proceedings since.
For the third straight day, the hosts began play in the field, though the temperature had ramped up considerably to make it a sweltering Saturday in Brisbane.
Due to the heat, the fast-bowling trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood and their young sidekick Cameron Green worked their way through three-over spells for much of the day, and downed slushies during occasional short stints off the field across the opening two sessions.Resuming at 1-13, West Indies had the early running courtesy of No.3 Kirk McKenzie, who seemed to relish Australia’s fuller-pitched approach and drove straight with abandon.The hosts’ attack was a little errant at times while perhaps the heat was to blame for a couple of misfields, but Marnus Labuschagne made no mistake when Kraigg Brathwaite (16) prodded one from Green straight to him at cover, ending a disappointing series with the bat for the Windies skipper.
After 25 overs and with the score at 2-85, Cummins then threw the ball to Nathan Lyon, and the off-spinner struck with his second delivery from the Stanley St end, removing the impressive McKenzie as he tried to sweep and was trapped lbw.
The batter reviewed the decision but it was to no avail, and Lyon settled in for the long haul, bowling 13 overs unchanged followed by another nine, with just a couple overs’ rest in between the two spells.
The 36-year-old almost had Kavem Hodge in his next over, but a healthy edge raced past Steve Smith and down to the rope for four.
From the other end, the Aussie quicks continued to toil amid the stifling heat. (AP)
