The day-night Test between Australia and West Indies was evenly poised as the tourists pushed to 106-3 by the dinner break on day three. On an oppressively hot and humid day at the Gabba on Saturday, the West Indies seized the initiative early before the hosts snared two wickets to keep firmly in the contest.
Kirk McKenzie made 41 and Alick Athanaze an enterprising 28 not out as West Indies built a 128-run lead by the break.
Kavem Hodge (eight not out) was batting with Athanaze at the interval. Cameron Green made the first breakthrough of the day having West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite playing a loose drive which was caught by Marnus Labuschagne at cover for 16.
Nathan Lyon (1-8) struck almost immediately when introduced into the attack with the veteran spinner teasing out Kirk McKenzie leg before wicket. Green (1-13) should have had another wicket in the penultimate over before the break but Smith spilt the one-handed chance at slip to give Athanaze a reprieve. It was Smith’s second error of the innings after dropping a low chance from Brathwaite off Mitchell Starc late on Day 2.
On Friday, a patient 75 by Usman Khawaja — named ICC test player of the year 2023 that morning — with blistering half centuries by Alex Carey and captain Pat Cummins led Australia’s fightback as the host’s rallied to 289-9 declared in its first innings, despite still trailing by 22. Cummins’ decision to give his fast bowlers a chance to bowl with the pink ball under lights for half an hour paid off as Josh Hazlewood (1-17) found a faint edge from Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s bat in the last over of the day with the West Indies at 13-1 at stumps for an overall lead of 35 runs.
Australia leads the series 1-0 after winning the opening test at Adelaide by 10 wickets.
