St. George’s, Grenada: Australia delivered a dominant performance to defeat the West Indies by 133 runs in the second Test match in Grenada, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series with one game remaining.
The touring side effectively seized control of the match after an early scare on Sunday morning, when West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph ripped through the Australian lower order with a superb four-wicket haul, dismissing Australia for 243 in their second innings. This left the West Indies needing 277 runs for victory on a deteriorating pitch.
However, the West Indies’ chase quickly unraveled. Their innings slumped to a meager 143 all out. Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood struck with his very fifth delivery, trapping opener John Campbell leg-before-wicket for a duck. Mitchell Starc then removed Keacy Carty for 10.
Beau Webster, playing in his 100th Test match, had a moment to remember, dismissing West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite for seven, a milestone match the opener will likely want to forget. Captain Pat Cummins then delivered a crucial blow, bowling Brandon King for 14 with a delivery that straightened just enough to clip the off stump.
Shai Hope’s dismissal for 17, caught and bowled by Hazlewood after attempting a pull shot, plunged the West Indies into deeper trouble. Roston Chase offered some resistance with a spirited 34, which included a magnificent six off Starc. However, his dismissal leg-before-wicket on the stroke of lunch effectively extinguished any realistic hopes of a West Indies recovery.
Justin Greaves fell leg-before to Starc for two, and while Alzarri Joseph struck back-to-back sixes off Nathan Lyon and Shamar Joseph hit three maximums in his quickfire 24, the outcome was inevitable. Nathan Lyon finished with 3 wickets in the second innings, while Mitchell Starc also claimed 3, and Josh Hazlewood bagged 2.
Australia’s comprehensive victory ensures they retain the Frank Worrell Trophy and will now look to complete a clean sweep in the final Test.
