The West Indies produced one other dominant day with the ball against a fragile Australia batting lineup after which survived a tense last hour on Saturday (July 12,, 2025) to take the honours after the first day of the day-night third test.
Shamar Joseph took 4 wickets, with Justin Greaves and Jayden Seales taking three apiece, because the West Indies tempo assault took full benefit of the seam and pitch circumstances as soon as the lights have been turned on at Sabina Park to bowl Australia out for 225.
The hosts then survived a night onslaught from 100-test veteran Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, for simply the loss of Kevlon Anderson to Starc, to be 16-1 on the shut.
Earlier, 19-year-old Sam Konstas’ robust tour continued as he was the one wicket to fall within the opening session after Australia had received the toss and elected to bat. Konstas labored to 17 from 53 balls earlier than he was snared lbw by Greaves (3-56).
Usman Khawaja did not fare significantly better as he fell for a scratchy 23 from 92 balls till he was spectacularly caught behind by Shai Hope to offer Shamar Joseph (4-33) his first wicket of the day.
Cameron Green (46) and Steven Smith (48) steadied the ship for the Baggy Greens with a 61-run partnership, however each have been dismissed in fast order simply earlier than milestones.
Unlike the first two assessments in Barbados and Grenada, Australia’s center order did not fireplace with Head (20), Webster (one) and Carey (21) all falling cheaply because the lights have been turned and the ball started hooping and swinging about.
Seales (3-59) then returned to choose up Cummins (24), who holed-out within the deep on the lookout for his third six within the over and Starc went for a duck in his milestone one centesimal test.
Shamar Joseph acquired a deserved fourth wicket when he had Josh Hazlewood caught at deep level to see the vacationers lose their final seven wickets for 68 runs in yet one more unconvincing batting show.
“Every pitch has been tough,” Green mentioned after play. “It was a real grind. Usman batted well and never looked in. Steve Smith looked like he batted on a different pitch again.
“We wanted to give them a tricky 45 minutes at the end and I thought they batted beautifully.”
King and Anderson had the unenviable task of opening the batting for the hosts under lights with Mikyle Louis and John Campbell both unavailable to bat after taking blows in the field during Australia’s first innings.
After Starc, who relishes bowling with the pink ball, didn’t have to wait long to get his 396th test wicket when he found the stumps between the gap of Anderson’s (3) bat and pad.
But captain Chase and King dug in grimly and survived a number of close calls to see the hosts through to stumps and take the honors after the first day.
Australia spinner Nathan Lyon was dropped for the first time in 12 years as the tourists opted for an all-pace attack with the pink ball at Sabina Park.
Scott Boland was brought in beside usual attack trio of Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood.
The West Indies, on the other hand, broke up its all-pace attack from Grenada by recalling left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican at the expense of quick Anderson Phillip.
Also, opening batter Kraigg Brathwaite was dropped following his 100th test in Grenada after scores in the series of 4, 4, 0, 7. He was replaced by Louis, while Guyana’s Anderson debuted at No. 3 in the order after displacing Keacy Carty.
Starc is playing his 100th test, the 16th Australian to the landmark. After taking Anderson’s wickets under lights at Sabina Park, he’s now just four wickets away from a career 400.
Australia’s bowlers have dominated the series after winning the first two tests — by 159 runs in Barbados then by 133 runs in Grenada — to secure the Frank Worrell Trophy.
