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Sport Nation
Important SN update for SouthlandAnother top order disaster for Australia as duo save the day
SEN • July 4th, 2025 10:04 am
It was yet again a case of an Australian middle order rescue mission on day one of the second Test against the West Indies with the visitors all out for 286 at stumps in Grenada.
The selection questions regarding Australia’s top order look set to continue after yet another below par performance despite the return of Steve Smith from injury.
Sam Konstas (25) and Usman Khawaja (16) managed 41 between them before Cam Green put on 26 while Smith went for just 3.
It was a bizarre exit for the vice-captain who had been gesturing at the crowd because a child was moving around and behind the sight screen. Smith fell next ball.
Heading in at lunch Australia was 4-93 and after the dismissal of Travis Head (29) they were desperate for something.
Enter Beau Webster and Alex Carey who put on 123 to salvage something from what was a less than impressive performance.
“I’d like to convert one of these half centuries one of these days but we will take it,” Webster said afterwards.
“I think we’re happy with where we are and we’ve got a great bowling attack to come out.”
Perhaps the most worrying statistic for Australian selectors is the dramatic decline in the batting average of the top three in the last three years which, according to Fox Sports stats has plummeted from 45.94 in 2022 to 26.53 in 2025.
Attention on day two will turn to Australia’s bowlers and whether they can continue the success they have had with the new Dukes ball.
“The new Duke does get a bit up top so credit to the boys to get through it this morning and Alex Carey for what he’s doing this series,” Webster added.
“The ball swung and there’s some inconsistency in the surface. Those inconsistencies can make it tough.
“(But) we back ourselves 100 per cent.”
