Pressure Mounts On Australia Openers As Lean Run Continues In Third West Indies Test

The questions astir Australia’s openers are group to linger up of nan Ashes, aft Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja’s difficulties against West Indies continued.

After winning nan flip and batting successful nan 3rd and last Test successful Jamaica, Australia went to meal connected nan first evening astatine 138 for 3 pinch Konstas retired for 17 and Khawaja 23.

Cameron Green was besides bowled for 46 earlier nan 2nd break, pinch Steve Smith 36 not retired and Travis Head unbeaten connected 3 connected a time wherever selectors made nan daze telephone to time off retired Nathan Lyon.

Still, all eyes stay connected Australia’s apical order, pinch Khawaja’s 47 successful nan first Test successful Barbados nan only people from either opener supra 25 successful this Frank Worrell Trophy series.

The 38-year-old Khawaja fought done a torrid opening convention connected Saturday (Sunday AEST), arsenic nan pink Dukes shot was moving and regularly hit nan bat.

But nan left-hander was superbly caught down by Shai Hope connected 23, edging a shot that was angled backmost successful astatine him from astir nan wicket by Shamar Joseph.

Konstas had besides shown signs of digging in, earlier being lbw for 17 aft moving to an off-stump defender for this Test.

He astatine 1 shape faced 18 consecutive dot balls early, while surviving a run-out scare and separator to 3rd gaffe connected consecutive deliveries while connected one.

Konstas threatened to find immoderate hit erstwhile he hooked Alzarri Joseph’s first shot for 4 and later punched nan speedy to nan constituent bound disconnected nan backmost foot.

But nan 19-year-old fell lbw to Justin Greaves’ first shot and his bid mean sits astatine conscionable 10.

Khawaja’s is 20.6, pinch 1 innings remaining successful Australia’s past Test earlier this summer’s location Ashes.

Australia person battled pinch nan opening spot since David Warner’s retirement, aft Smith’s aborted move up nan bid past twelvemonth and Nathan McSweeney’s 3 Tests past summer.

Marnus Labuschagne besides opened successful nan World Test Championship last nonaccomplishment to South Africa, for scores of 17 and 22 earlier being dropped.

The different main talking constituent of Saturday was nan omission of Lyon, pinch Scott Boland coming successful for nan day-night Test.

Lyon has played each Test he has been fresh for since nan 2nd Test of nan 2013 Ashes, racking up 100 consecutive matches aft that.

The spinner past suffered a calf tear astatine Lord’s successful 2023 and missed nan last 3 Tests of that Ashes, earlier returning to nan broadside for nan commencement of nan adjacent summer.

While nan day-night Tests are mostly thought to suit nan quicks nether lights, Lyon has a amended grounds pinch pinkish balls than red.

This Test is being played pinch a Dukes shot alternatively than a Kookaburra, pinch nan Windies’ 2 tweakers uncovering immoderate turn.

Lyon has had beardown returns of 9 wickets astatine 18.33 successful a bid dominated by quicks, but bowled only 32.3 overs crossed 2 Tests.

West Indies besides made a large call, dropping out-of-form ex-captain Kraigg Brathwaite, ending his tally of 90 consecutive Tests.