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After a dramatic turnaround in the first Test, where Australia clawed back from early setbacks to secure a commanding 159-run victory over the West Indies, all eyes now shift to St George’s, Grenada, for the second Test. The Australians, leading the series 1-0, are buoyed by their gritty lower-order resilience and the anticipated return of Steve Smith, while the West Indies will be desperate to convert their flashes of promise into a series-levelling win. With both batting line-ups under scrutiny after a low-scoring opener, the stage is set for a contest brimming with individual duels and high stakes.
Steve Smith returns to Australian XI boosting the middle order
Australia’s announced XI for the Grenada Test features a blend of experience and fresh faces. The most significant change is the return of Smith, who missed the first Test due to a finger injury. Smith’s inclusion at No. 4 is a crucial reinforcement for a top order that has struggled for consistency since David Warner’s retirement. His presence is expected to stabilize the middle order, especially after the top three faltered again in Barbados, leaving the likes of Travis Head, Beau Webster, and Alex Carey to rescue the innings.
Smith’s comeback not only brings world-class batting pedigree but also invaluable experience in navigating tricky conditions something Australia’s young openers, especially Sam Konstas, will look to learn from after being undone by Shamar Joseph’s pace in both innings of the first Test. With Carey keeping the gloves and Webster solidifying his place after a crucial half-century, Australia’s batting depth looks more robust heading into the second encounter.
3 key battles to look out in AUS vs WI 2nd test:
- Steve Smith vs Shamar Joseph
This is the headline duel. Joseph, who rattled Australia’s top order with four wickets in the first Test, now faces the returning Smith—a master of adapting under pressure. Joseph’s ability to extract bounce and seam movement troubled even the most seasoned batters, and he dismissed both Australian openers in Barbados. Smith, with a career Test average above 55 was the maiden scalp for Joseph during Adelaide Test, though the veteran batter will be determined to anchor the innings and blunt Joseph’s new-ball threat. Their first meeting in this series promises a fascinating contest between raw pace and technical mastery.
- Alex Carey vs Roston Chase
Carey was pivotal in Australia’s second-innings recovery, notching a vital half-century under pressure. He now faces off against Roston Chase, West Indies’ captain and off-spinning all-rounder, who impressed with both bat and ball in the opener. Chase’s knack for breaking partnerships and Carey’s counter-attacking style could produce a game-defining middle-order battle, especially if Australia’s top order falters again. Chase facing Carey will be brimming with confidence as he dismissed the southpaw in the Bridgetown Test’s second innings.
- Kraigg Brathwaite vs Mitchell Starc
West Indies’ batter Kraigg Brathwaite celebrates his 100th Test, but he must overcome his nemesis, Mitchell Starc. Starc dismissed Brathwaite twice in Barbados and is just nine wickets shy of 400 Test scalps. The left-armer’s ability to swing the new ball at pace has repeatedly exposed Brathwaite’s defensive technique. If Brathwaite can weather Starc’s early bursts, it could set the platform for a stronger West Indies total; if not, Australia’s dominance may continue.
With both sides seeking improvement and individual match-ups set to take center stage, the second Test in Grenada is primed for another gripping chapter in this storied rivalry.
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