Kingston, July 13, 2025 – It was a thrilling opening day at Sabina Park, where the third Test between Australia and West Indies came alive thanks to the dominance of the bowlers.
Eleven wickets tumbled across all three sessions, turning the spotlight firmly on the men with the ball. With the pink ball zipping under lights and the surface offering just enough assistance, the contest is finely balanced heading into Day 2.
Australia, after opting to bat first at Sabina Park, managed 225 in their first innings. The openers started cautiously, and though West Indies bowlers initially struggled to break through, Justin Greaves made the first dent with his very first delivery. The Australians were restricted to just 50 by the Tea break. However, the momentum shifted in the second session, as Steve Smith and Cameron Green stitched together a quick counter-attack. The bowlers struck back under lights, with the last seven Aussie wickets falling for only 68 runs—Shamar Joseph standing out once again as he tore through the middle and lower order.
Cameron Green later reflected on the innings, highlighting how every pitch in this series has been a tough grind for batters. He credited Usman Khawaja for his resilience and praised Smith’s fluency. Green acknowledged the challenge of batting at Sabina Park and admitted that adjusting to such conditions is a key learning curve for the players.
The West Indies reply began cautiously but not without drama. With key players Mikyle Louis and John Campbell out due to injuries, Brandon King and debutant Kevlon Anderson opened the innings. However, Anderson couldn’t handle Mitchell Starc’s opening burst and fell early. Nevertheless, King and Roston Chase survived the tricky final phase, guiding West Indies to stumps at 16/1, trailing by 209 runs.
Session summaries from Sabina Park painted a clear picture—103 runs and 8 wickets in just 27.3 overs during the final session! The Test, initially sluggish, turned electric under lights as bowlers from both sides came to life. With swing, seam, and bounce on offer, Day 2 promises even more drama at Sabina Park, where bowlers continue to thrive and the match hangs in the balance.