Match News and Current Form
The West Indies were pursuing their first set of back-to-back Test wins since hosting Bangladesh in June 2022 but were unable to score sufficient runs, a problem that has plagued them for years. They have lost 233 of a possible 240 wickets in Tests since the start of 2024, and in that time have the worst collective batting average (20.85) of all 12 Test nations, well below the global average of 29.03. Little wonder then that they couldn’t contend with the Aussie bowlers, so they’ll be hoping for a better return from their own bowlers after Shamar Joseph claimed nine of the 20 Australian wickets in Barbados.
The Aussies are far from settled themselves when it comes to their batting, with head coach Andrew McDonald assuring young Sam Konstas publicly that he’ll be afforded “patience and time” at the top of the order after being dismissed cheaply by Shamar Joseph twice in Barbados. Cameron Green is the other man under a little bit of pressure having failed to score big at number three since his return to Test cricket, though his spot remains assured. Australia’s form for the most part is still positive, with ten wins from 14 matches (D1, L3) since the beginning of 2024.
Head-to-Head History
Australia has now won 17 out of their 22 Test matches against the West Indies since the beginning of 2005, drawing four and losing once in Brisbane. Their record in the Caribbean during that same period is an unbeaten seven wins and two draws.
Hot Stats and Streaks
The West Indies’ last six Tests were won by the team that batted first.
Steve Smith top scored in only one of Australia’s last 20 innings in which he batted.
Only one of West Indies’ last 13 opening partnerships went beyond 25 runs.
Cameron Green averages just 12 against Shamar Joseph (36/3).
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Now that he’s no longer captain, Kraigg Brathwaite needs to start paying his way with runs or he’ll soon find himself on the outer. There’s no better occasion than his 100th Test to put behind him a run of five scores of 12 or less in his last six innings. But with a career Test average of just 19.94 against the quartet of Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon, he’s right up against it.
In a match where the collective batting average was in the low-20s, Travis Head struck a game-high 120 runs with 17 fours. From eight innings against the West Indies he has two centuries, a 99, a further two fifties, a 38* and a pair in the infamous Brisbane loss. All in all, his returns have been excellent.
Speaking directly after the World Test Championship final last month, Pat Cummins said it was likely the fast bowlers will be regularly rotated to extend their personal careers. Therefore, don’t be surprised if Scott Boland makes an appearance in this series. Steve Smith is set to return for this match, albeit as an outfielder rather than a slips catcher, after missing the first one with a fractured finger.
Betting Analysis
There’s no papering over the fact the West Indies managed to make just 331 runs across two innings in Barbados, even despite the Kensington Oval pitch being seam-friendly. An Australia win is very likely but the odds are far too short to be enticing. Travis Head to make over 76.5 match runs on Bet365 could be worth a shot, though.