Australia has gained the upper-hand within the second Test after a spirited West Indies fightback, whereas a difficult, non-traditional Adelaide Oval wicket has nonetheless made life powerful for the hosts on day two.

Australia is 6-205 – a lead of 19 runs – with Travis Head persevering with to defy the West Indies, sitting on 79 and nearing one other Test century.

MATCH CENTRE: Australia vs West Indies live scores, stats

The hosts simply took the lead at 1.38pm native time, however the tail has been uncovered after Alex Carey was caught behind off the bowling of debutant Justin Greaves seven overs after lunch.

Brendon Julian mentioned it was nonetheless “game on”, and Brett Lee mentioned the West Indies have been “in the game” after the wicket with a lot on provide for the bowlers.

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Earlier, Mitch Marsh was the final wicket to fall earlier than lunch after a fastidiously laid lure set by the West Indies. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite had simply moved Greaves right into a shallow third slip seconds earlier than he took a catch within the unorthodox place off the bowling of Kemar Roach.

Mark Waugh known as it “great cricket”, whereas Kerry O’Keeffe pointed to the rareness of the transfer, saying: “You don’t often see that.”

The West Indies got here inside a whisker of getting a fourth wicket within the session when, moments later, Head survived a DRS assessment for LBW on umpire’s name.

Usman Khawaja (45) had fallen earlier within the first session after slashing at a large ball from Greaves, who he edged to second slip.

Lee mentioned on the time that he felt the West Indies may “smell a bit of blood here”.

Shemar Joseph’s personal outstanding debut Test obtained even higher along with his first over of day two, as he added the wicket of Cameron Green to these of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne from day one.

Green was out tentatively prodding at a supply simply outdoors off stump that nipped away barely to take his outdoors edge.

“He’s done it again, the kid!” Ian Smith mentioned in Fox Cricket commentary.

Michael Vaughan and Mark Waugh each known as Green’s shot a “nervy prod”, with Vaughan including: “It’s a perfect start for the West Indies.”

PLAYING XIs

Australia: Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Justin Greaves, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Kemar Roach

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Earlier, in his every day pitch inspection an hour earlier than play, Fox Cricket’s Brendon Julian mentioned he believed will probably be one other day suited to the bowlers, which is uncommon for Adelaide Oval which generally has a superb batting wicket on days two, three and 4.

“This pitch had a bit of grass on it yesterday and we saw it swing and seam around,” Julian mentioned. “I still think it’s going to seam around and swing today. Overcast conditions which will be good for bowling.

“What we did see yesterday was a bit of uneven bounce, and I think that’s what will happen today. All in all, a pretty good bowling day.”

Josh Hazlewood mentioned Australia is hoping to “bat the whole day” after placing itself in a powerful place getting into the second day.

Australia was 59-2 at day one stumps, with Usman Khawaja not out 30 and Cameron Green on six.

It may have been an excellent higher begin for Australia had it not been for breakout star Joseph, who added 36 runs off 41 balls after West Indies discovered itself at 133-9.

Joseph additional stamped his authority on the match with the ball in hand as he dismissed Smith, who joined Labuschagne as the 2 Australian batters to fall early of their first innings.

Still, Australia stays accountable for the primary Test after a surprising show from Josh Hazlewood, who completed with figures of 4-44.

Skipper Pat Cummins, having made the daring determination to ship the West Indies out to bat first, additionally had 4 wickets.

Speaking to reporters after the primary day’s motion, Hazlewood mentioned the Adelaide pitch had been “interesting”.

“Not much pace and bounce and the odd one nipped around. I love playing here,” he mentioned.

“You don’t have to bowl too quick, just hang around the off stump. Hopefully we bat the whole day tomorrow.”

SMITH BACK AT WORK AFTER FIRST INNINGS FAILURE

In a super world for Australia, Steve Smith can be batting in the midst of Adelaide Oval on Thursday morning.

Instead, he was batting behind it, losing no time in plotting redemption for his misfire as a Test opener on day one in opposition to the West Indies.

All roads since David Warner’s Test retirement led to yesterday afternoon, when Smith made his debut as an opener within the five-day format.

The script was constructing in the direction of a fairy story second – however it belonged to Shemar Joseph, not Smith.

The 24-year-old West Indies speedster, along with his first ball in Test cricket no much less, charged in from the Cathedral End and nicked off the Australian famous person.

He went wild in celebration, and later advised reporters it was a second he would bear in mind for the remainder of his life.

Smith would possibly, too, for various causes. But 75 minutes earlier than play began on day two, he was already taking the mandatory steps to try to neglect it.

Only two gamers from Australia’s XI have been within the nets at the moment; Alex Carey and Nathan Lyon, who have been engaged on their wicketkeeping and bowling respectively.

The solely man padded up was Steve Smith who was attending to work, hoping to seek out one thing to assist recapture his finest type.

It was a combined session, with deliveries primarily focussed on focusing on his pads, the rib cage, and Smith’s fourth-to-fifth stump space.

It is the latter channel through which Joseph mentioned the West Indies had recognized as a weak point for Smith – and it’s the place the debutant despatched down his first ball that produced a wicket.

Smith’s session lasted roughly quarter-hour, after which he seemed to be in comparatively excessive spirits as he shared amusing with an Australian staffer, and spoke with Fox Cricket’s Brendon Julian, earlier than heading again into the changerooms.

GREEN TO “FEEL THE PRESSURE”

It shapes up being an essential day for Cameron Green, who resumes Day 2 on six not out.

Green was recalled into the Australian aspect to bat at 4, after Steve Smith was promoted up the order to exchange the retired David Warner.

After Smith didn’t encourage when dismissed for 12, the Aussie selectors shall be hoping Green can justify the choice with a giant rating.

Fox Sports’ Jim Callinan posed to Fox Cricket’s Brendon Julian whether or not that is the day he has to “repay the faith”.

“You never want to walk into an innings thinking this is where I have to repay the selectors faith or whether I’m under pressure ,” Julian mentioned.

“For Cam Green, he’ll just want to find bat on ball early on and just find his feet.

“Yes, he’ll feel the pressure, no doubt about that… I think it’s a matter of calming and settling into their innings and then he’s away.”