Bridgetown, June 27(HS): On the second day of the Test match being played at Kensington Oval, Travis Head’s tenacious batting has kept Australia in the contest against the West Indies. The pitch continuously aids fast bowlers, and it does not seem like the match will extend beyond the third day.

In the first innings, the West Indies scored 190 runs, gaining a slender lead of 10 runs. In response, Australia’s second innings also got off to a shaky start, losing four wickets for just 65 runs. However, Travis Head and Beau Webster took charge and managed to take the score to 92/4 by stumps. Australia has now established a lead of 82 runs. Head, who scored the only half-century in the first innings, adopted a defensive strategy in the second innings and stood firm. A delivery from Alzarri Joseph hit his left glove, but he did not lose his composure.

By the end of the day’s play, Head was unbeaten on 13 runs (off 37 balls) and Webster on 19 runs (off 24 balls). While 14 wickets fell on the first day, the dominance of bowlers continued on the second day, with 10 wickets falling. There is still seam and movement on the pitch, providing significant assistance to fast bowlers.

Scorecard:

Australia: 180 and 92/4 (Webster 19*, S Joseph 1/15, A Joseph 1/15)

West Indies: 190 (Shai Hope 48, Mitchell Starc 3/65)

Australia’s lead: 82 runs.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar