Australia Seizes Control in Dramatic Sabina Park Test After 15-Wicket Day

Jul, 27 2025

Wild Swings and Bowling Dominance Define Day Two at Sabina Park

Test cricket is often called a game of patience, but Day 2 at Sabina Park had both fans and players on edge as wickets fell with jaw-dropping regularity. Fifteen in a single day—it's chaos even by the game’s unpredictable standards. Australia, having scratched their way to 225 on the opening day, saw their lead balloon to a whopping 181 runs by stumps, putting the West Indies on the back foot in this crucial third Test.

Let’s rewind for a second to how it all started. After winning the toss, the Australians made the brave call to bat first. They couldn’t quite handle the lethal duo of Shamar Joseph—who’s become a true menace this series with a dizzying 18 wickets—and Justin Graves. Jaden Seals also showed off some real consistency, keeping the Aussies pinned back for much of their first innings. The end result? Australia was bundled out for 225. Not a massive total, but in these conditions, it felt competitive.

West Indies had a glimmer of hope after closing Day 1 at 73 for 3, thanks largely to John Campbell’s steady knock in the 30s. The hosts needed someone to build on that start, but Day 2 had other plans. Josh Hazlewood and company sensed weakness and pounced on it. The pitch, lively and unpredictable, became a graveyard for batsmen as movement off the seam created endless problems. Early on, Brandon King fell to a contentious LBW for just 14—umpiring wasn’t without controversy—raising eyebrows with a few head-scratchers that probably belong in post-match debates for days to come.

From there, it was a tumble. The West Indies middle and lower order simply couldn’t handle the clarion call of the Aussie quicks. Alzarri Joseph put in a respectable effort as a bowler all series, but with the bat, his resistance was short-lived. Ultimately, West Indies were bowled out for just 143, trailing by 82 before Australia picked up the willow for a second time.

Australia Eyes Series with Steely Nerves and Key Performances

The effect of that collapse was stark. Australia started their second innings with a sense of assurance, building on the advantage with a mix of caution and confident stroke play. Steve Smith, always buzzing in the field, made sure nothing slipped through, keeping the pressure relentless from all corners.

The day left West Indies with a mountain to climb. Questions about the batting lineup and the reliability of umpiring added a layer of tension. Can the hosts dig deep and find a way back, or will Australia simply power through for another win? As it stands, with a 181-run cushion, the Aussies are sitting pretty and, unless the pitch offers up some batting miracles, look poised to wrap up this series in emphatic fashion.

Test cricket can twist at any moment, but after a day defined by sharp bowling, aggressive fields, and dramatic collapses, Australia controls the narrative. Sabina Park has delivered mayhem already—who knows what Day 3 will bring?