WI VS AUS 1ST TEST

There was a bit of seam movement right through the first session, and it will be interesting to see how the wicket plays in the second session. Though the Windies at the moment seem slightly ahead, the Aussies shouldn’t be feeling demoralized, as a good first hour in the next session will see them come storming back into the contest. So do join us for the post-lunch session, which will start at 4.43 PM GMT time.

Once Shai Hope came in, momentum slowly but surely started shifting towards the home side, as both Hope and Chase batted with intent and looked to put away the bad balls. The duo of Chase and Hope have already added 63 for the 6th wicket and are looking settled at the crease. From an Aussie point of view, the late introduction of Starc might be debatable, however, overall, the Aussie Pacers did hit the right areas throughout the session. In the second hour, though, once the moisture from the wicket dried down, there wasn’t much help for the Pacers, which made batting a touch easier. In terms of spin, Lyon bowled 5 overs in the session but didn’t look threatening enough, as he went for 27 of his five overs.

That will be the end of the first session on Day 2, and the Windies have wiped off 78 runs of the total with the loss of just 1 wicket in the session. The trail is now down to just 45 runs, and the West Indies will be pleased with their effort in the session. To start, in the first hour, there was some help for the pacers with some considerable seam movement. There were a lot of deliveries that troubled Chase and King in the first few overs. King was dropped by Alex Carey of Hoff’s bowling, but he didn’t make the most of it as he got out in the next over of Hoff, shouldering his arms to a seaming in delivery, only to see the furniture getting disturbed.

Full and outside off, swinging away, Roston Chase makes an easy leave to end the session. That will be LUNCH ON DAY 2!

Banged in on a hard length and slanted back in towards middle, Chase dabs it across to mid-wicket.

Pitched up around off, Hope goes for the cover drive but hits it off the outer half of the blade, a tad uppishly and through the vacant point region for one.

Nicely bowled! Goes wider on the crease and bowls it fuller into the channel. The ball holds its line as Shai Hope ends up playing inside the line.

Similar line and length, this time Chase pushes at it with soft hands and edges it down towards deep third for a single.

On a good length and outside off, gets some extra bounce on the away swinger as well. Chase leaves it alone.

Solidly done by Hope again. Nagging length, targeting the off stump line, Hope defends it on the front foot.

Keeps the length fairly full and bowls it just outside off, Hope leaves this one alone.

Nicely played by Hope! Full and on off, just a hint of tail back in, late too. Shai Hope watches it all the way and pushes it out wide of the gully region and into the deep for a couple of runs. Hope moves into the 30s now.

Served on a hard length and pushed across the right-hander, Hope shoulders arms at this delivery.

That in-between length now, bowled around middle, Hope hops back and blocks it off.

Relatively full from Starc and outside off. Hope prods halfway and checks the cover-drive, punching it firmly but straight to extra cover.

Length ball, in the channel outside off and left alone by Chase.

Full again and around off, Chase looks to lean on and drive but ends up skewing it towards mid on.