NEW DELHI: West Indies’ pace attack once again exposed the fragility of Australia’s top order, reducing the visitors to 92 for four at stumps on Day 2 of the first Test at Kensington Oval on Thursday. After being bowled out for 190 — trailing by just 10 runs in reply to Australia’s first innings total of 180 — the home side kept the pressure on, leaving the match finely poised. Australia now lead by 82 runs with six wickets remaining, setting the stage for a tense third day.It was another action-packed day in Barbados, with 10 wickets falling following the 14 that tumbled on the opening day. But beyond the wickets, much of the focus was on controversial third-umpire decisions that left the West Indies camp visibly frustrated.Travis Head, known for his aggressive counter-attacking style across formats, will resume on Day 3 alongside all-rounder Beau Webster. All four West Indian bowlers used in Australia’s second innings struck once, keeping their side in the hunt.After going wicketless in the first innings, Alzarri Joseph made the breakthrough in the final session, trapping Usman Khawaja lbw. Shamar Joseph, who had set the tone on Day 1, endured a frustrating moment when Sam Konstas was dropped twice in the same over in the slips. But persistence paid off 20 minutes later when Konstas dragged a delivery back onto his stumps.Jayden Seales, who took five wickets in the first innings, struck again by dismissing Josh Inglis for the second time in the match — this time bowling him as the batter offered no shot.Australia’s ongoing experiment with Cameron Green at number three continued to falter, as he edged medium-pacer Justin Greaves to first slip, departing cheaply once again.Earlier in the day, a 67-run partnership between West Indies skipper Roston Chase and wicketkeeper Shai Hope helped stabilize the innings after they slumped to 72 for five in the morning session. Debutant Brandon King, who contributed 26, was bowled shouldering arms to Josh Hazlewood.– Controversial Dismissals –Controversy resurfaced shortly after lunch when Roston Chase — playing his 50th Test and making a return to the format after more than two years — was adjudged leg-before to Pat Cummins. Television umpire Adrian Holdstock made the call, despite replays suggesting Chase had edged the ball onto his pads.Holdstock was again in the spotlight when Shai Hope, on 48, was ruled out caught down the leg side by a diving Alex Carey, giving Webster his second wicket. Hope had nearly reached the pavilion, convinced he was out, but multiple replays indicated the ball may have touched the ground as Carey completed the catch. Despite this, Holdstock upheld the decision.Alzarri Joseph chipped in with an unbeaten 23, but the West Indies innings wrapped up soon after. Mitchell Starc finished as Australia’s most successful bowler with figures of 3 for 65.Commenting on the disputed dismissals, Starc said, “We can only ask the questions.”“That’s what we have the technology for. The questions have to be asked in that direction, not at the players.”Reflecting on the state of the match, Starc noted that the pitch was keeping things competitive.“Throughout the two days it’s shown that if you bowl in the right areas there are enough chances (created),” he said.“Even when the ball got older or was changed it still did some sideways stuff so the bowlers have been in the game throughout so far and that is likely to continue tomorrow.”
