Only 58 overs were able to be completed today. Partly because of intermittent rain, which visited the ground and hovered nearby like a dinner guest who cannot quite bring themself to leave the party once and for all. And there were rainbows. The West Indies over rate was diabolical, even so, and even by the lax standards of the present day. The five-man seam attack (with a bare five overs of spin from the captain) is partly to blame; but really: is it too much to ask that fielding sides get on with the game? If the plan was to bore Steve Smith out, it didn’t work. I don’t believe the man ever gets bored.
West Indies began untidily with the ball. There was far too little in Damien Fleming’s Avenue of Apprehension, and when the bowlers did pitch up and aim at the stumps, it was generally a half-volley. It took quite a time before Alzarri collected the nightwatchman. Smith seemed grateful for the extra sleep-in and came out utterly untroubled by his broken finger, or indeed anything else. And Cameron Green at last repaid the selectors’ faith in him as our number three with a most accomplished half-century. By the time he was out (played on off his diagonal bat, as usual, from Shamarr) the lead was 150 and Australia breathed easier.
Travis Head stroked his first delivery through mid-off for four. He reached thirty-odd at a run a ball, but after a brief flurry of wickets after tea (Smith for 71, and Webster straight after) he was more circumspect thereafter. Chase raised many eyebrows with his choice of Greaves’ mediums after the tea break. It turned out a stroke of inspiration. Greaves attacked the stumps and was the beneficiary of some sprightly seam movement. Head then lost his stumps to the indefatigable Shamarr, and bad light put an end to proceedings shortly after. Australia resumes tomorrow on 7/221. The lead is past 250, and the pitch is still playing a few tricks. Carey already has a run-a-ball 26. And Cummins looked his usual defiant self. The home side will want early wickets tomorrow.