WI vs AUS 2025, 2nd Test Review: Australia's top-order falters again, Alzarri Joseph spearheads West Indies bowling on Day 1

West Indies pacers blew away the Australian top-order, but lower-order contributions helped Pat Cummins' side finish on 286 on Day 1 of the second Test at the National Cricket Stadium in St George's, Grenada.

Australia, who have a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, won the toss and opted to bat first. Openers Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja added 47 runs inside the first 11 overs, but West Indies bounced back to reduce the tourists to 50/3.

Travis Head and Cameron Green joined forces and they played counterattacking cricket to add 43 runs off just 61 balls. However, the latter was dismissed for a 37-ball 26 on the stroke of Lunch. Australia scored at a run rate of over four in the first session, but lost four wickets as well.

After the Lunch break, Shamar Joseph bowled a peach of a delivery and wicketkeeper Shai Hope took a stunning one-handed catch diving to his left to send the dangerous Head packing. The southpaw had to depart after scoring 29 runs off 43 deliveries.

Beau Webster and Alex Carey forged a crucial 112-run partnership off 150 balls after Australia had lost half their side for just 110 runs. While Webster mixed caution with aggression, Carey batted in ODI mode, taking the attack to the West Indies bowlers.

The exhilarating partnership yielded 112 runs off just 150 balls. Justin Greaves produced a much-needed breakthrough for the hosts as he got the better of Carey, who made 63 runs off just 81 balls, belting 10 fours and a solitary six. Following this, Pat Cummins scored a quickfire 17 off 20 balls to frustrate the West Indies bowlers.

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Mitchell Starc departed after scoring six runs as West Indies were looking set to wrap up the Australian innings in quick time. Webster was unfortunately run out after playing a solid knock of 60 runs off 115 deliveries. The last-wicket partnership between Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood added 19 runs off 16 balls before Australia were eventually bowled out for 286 in 66.5 overs. Alzarri Joseph was the pick of the West Indies bowlers, as he bagged four wickets for 61 runs in 15.5 overs.

The West Indies openers came out to bat, but they had to return to the pavilion as no further play was possible due to bad light.