Half-centuries from Smith and Green give Australia control

Jul 06, 2025 Sports

Steven Smith was trapped lbw by Justin Greaves. (AFP/Getty Images)

ESPNcricinfo – A pristine innings from Steven Smith and Cameron Green’s first half-century at No. 3 put Australia in control of the second Test in Grenada on a day limited to 58.3 overs by three rain interruptions, a lethargic over rate and latterly bad light. But regular breakthroughs after tea kept West Indies in touch although the surface remained a challenge for batters.

Smith, playing with the lingering effects of the dislocated finger he suffered in the World Test Championship, barely put a foot wrong during an innings studded with classy drives. There was general shock, not least from Smith himself, when he fell lbw to Justin Greaves for 71 shortly after tea – the DRS confirming ball had struck pad first – leaving the series still waiting for its first century.

Steven Smith and Cameron Green added 93 off 153 balls for the fourth wicket. (AFP/Getty Images)

Greaves became the somewhat unlikely figure to keep West Indies’ hopes alive when he then had Beau Webster edge to a lone slip. After a third shower briefly suspended play, Travis Head was cleaned up by Shamar Joseph, defeated by the angle from round the wicket, leaving Alex Carey the key figure in terms of how many more Australia could add. After the second day’s play, Roston Chase said West Indies would be confident chasing anything under 200 – they are now going to need considerably more than that.

There remained regular signs of uneven bounce – Green received one early on which scuttled for four byes – but the ones that shot low were either not straight or were able to be kept out. As had been evident on the first two days, batting became more manageable as the ball got softer which added to the importance of the 93-run stand between Green and Smith in taking the sting out of the attack.

Green, who had done the hard work in the first innings but couldn’t take advantage of being given a life, brought up his first half-century as a Test No. 3 with a perfect straight drive. However, he was again left furious when he chopped on next ball, dropping his bat to the ground in anger before trudging off.

Overall, though, it was a step in the right direction. He nearly fell for West Indies’ short ball plan when he top-edged short of deep square leg, but he defended solidly and waited for anything with a hint of width to put away through the off side.

Australia’s bowlers will hope they can get a cushion of another 50 runs.

Scores: Australia 286 and 221 for 7 (Smith 71, Green 52, Greaves 2-22) lead West Indies 253 (King 75, Campbell 40, Lyon 3-75, Hazlewood 2-43, Cummins 2-46) by 254 runs.

Cameron Green dropped his bat in frustration after being bowled by Shamar Joseph. (AFP/Getty Images)

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Cameron Green, Cricket Australia', Grenada, Justin Greaves, Shamar Joseph, West Indies, WIvsAUS

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