‘We never got those partnerships’

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC):

MITCHELL STARC and Nathan Lyon grabbed three wickets apiece against the West Indies, who produced yet another dismal batting performance to slump to a 133-run defeat in the second Test at the National Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Chasing 277 runs for victory on a difficult pitch, the West Indies batters failed to show the determination and grit needed against Australia’s consistent bowling attack and were dismissed for a paltry 143 before tea on the fourth day.

The result gave the visitors an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, following their 159-run win in the first Test in Barbados.

The third and final match will bowl off in Jamaica on Saturday.

After the defeat, West Indies captain Roston Chase admitted that the top order needed to set a better platform for the rest of the batters.

“It was a case where we never got those partnerships going, especially up front with the new ball.

“I think that the new ball was the hardest challenge on the wicket, and we lost too many wickets up front and we’re asking the middle order and the lower order to do too much,” Chase said.

“So, I think it’s a case that if we can try to avoid losing so many wickets in the first 10 to 15 overs, I think we’d have a better chance of scoring more runs.”

West Indies did well to wrap up Australia’s tail in the first hour of play after they resumed on 221 for seven, with Shamar Joseph grabbing two wickets to help bowl them out for 243.

However, their run chase was over almost as soon as it started, and by the lunch break Australia were in cruise control.

The Windies got off to the worst possible start when John Campbell was trapped lbw by Josh Hazlewood after facing just two balls without a run being scored.

Keacy Carty looked uncomfortable in his brief stay at the crease, and it came as no surprise when he edged Mitchell Starc behind after scoring 10, to leave the West Indies 15 for two.

Kraigg Brathwaite’s miserable run of form continued into his 100th Test, with Beau Webster finding the edge of his bat after he had scored just seven, to give wicketkeeper Alex Carey the simplest of catches, as the home team slid to 29 for three.

Brandon King looked in good nick, executing two gorgeous cover drives and a straight drive to move to 14 off just 19 balls.

But he was undone by an absolute beauty from Pat Cummins that straightened to breach his defence and hit his off stump, as the West Indies went to lunch in tatters at 33 for four.

Captain Roston Chase and Shai Hope briefly stemmed the fall of wickets during a 38-run partnership before Hope, who had showed his aggressive intent from the start of his innings, miscued a pull shot and was caught and bowled by Hazlewood for 17.

Shortly after, Chase was undone by a delivery from Starc that kept low to be lbw for the topscore of 34, and when Justin Greaves fell in similar fashion to make it 99 for seven, the match was essentially over.

Shamar Joseph, who made 24, and Alzarri Joseph, who scored 13, entertained the crowd with some exhilarating shots, but Lyon wrapped up the contest by grabbing the last three wickets to give the Aussies a comfortable victory.

Starc was the best bowler with 3-24, Lyon took 3-42, and Hazlewood 2-33.