Australian pacer Mitchell Starc believes the Kensington Oval pitch is unlikely to follow the same trend as the one at Lord’s during the recent ICC World Test Championship final, with variable bounce already playing a key role in the ongoing Test match against the West Indies.
Australia, who are keen to avoid a rare series defeat to the Caribbean side, will resume their second innings on Day 3 with a lead of 82, with Travis Head and Beau Webster looking to build on their unbeaten partnership of 27.
Reflecting on the conditions, Starc told ESPNcricinfo, “I think the wicket at Lord’s was very flat when the sun came out. I certainly found it easy to bat on. This one, we’ve seen over these two days, there’s so much variable bounce. We saw yesterday, the ball shot low one over and then jumped the next to create a wicket. I think it’ll probably be the same tomorrow. And with some good bowling, it creates enough chances.”
The left-arm quick stressed the importance of extending Australia’s lead. “Hopefully, that partnership between Trav and Beau can continue in the morning, then we can push it as far as we can with some lower-order runs. You’re never quite in on this pitch and you never know what total will be enough.”
Meanwhile, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy, though visibly frustrated, attempted humour when asked what target he would feel confident chasing. “I’d love to chase 82. Somebody get a double hat-trick or something,” he quipped.
Despite his levity, Sammy expressed disappointment at his team’s fielding standards. West Indies have dropped six catches so far in the match — five of them off the bowling of Shamar Joseph — including twice reprieving Sam Konstas on zero. Luckily for the hosts, the young Australian batter managed only 5 before being dismissed by Joseph for the second time in the game.
“Pretty sure they are going to get a nice bollocking. Not too angry, but for sure, it’s an attitude,” Sammy said. “The same way you practise your batting and bowling, fielding and catching become equally important. Catching in the slips is a skill — one we have to constantly work on.”
Sammy emphasised that fielding lapses, although not yet costly, could be decisive. “Good teams will make you pay. So far, it’s not been too costly, but this is something that has to improve if we want to meet the goals we’ve set for this team. Our catching efficiency must go up.”
Despite the missed opportunities, the West Indies — led by a fiery spell from Shamar Joseph — have impressed in the early stages of the Test. Joseph, in particular, has exposed the fragility of Konstas, dismissing him for scores of just 3 and 5 in the two innings so far.
“I think he had three chances and still scored five,” said Sammy. “Credit to our boys. The plans we had against their top order, and the areas we bowled, made it very difficult. Kudos to Shamar — before the Test started, he did say he was ready for Konstas.”
With conditions expected to remain unpredictable, Day 3 promises to be a pivotal one, as Australia look to set a defendable target and the West Indies aim to seize the momentum.
