Sabina Park, Kingston — Australia’s fast bowlers tightened the screws in Monday’s opening session, leaving the West Indies 73 for 3 by the first interval of the third Test. The home side, still 152 runs shy of parity, leaned heavily on John Campbell’s composed 31* to keep hopes alive.
Play resumed with the West Indies on 16 for 1, but the cushion evaporated quickly. Josh Hazlewood removed Brandon King for 14 in the day’s seventh over, a teasing length ball that grazed the outside edge and flew to the slips. At 28 for 2, skipper Roston Chase joined Campbell and briefly calmed the nerves, threading boundaries off anything marginally full. Their stand reached 30 before Pat Cummins, probing the fourth-stump channel, found Chase’s edge; Usman Khawaja accepted the chance at gully, sending the captain back for 18.
With Kevlon Anderson already dismissed for three late on day one, the hosts were suddenly three down inside the first hour. Campbell, unfazed, tucked into anything drifting onto his pads and left judiciously outside off, reaching the break unbeaten on 31 from 63 deliveries. At the other end debutant Mikyle Louis (2*) survived a searching spell, beaten several times yet holding firm.
Shai Hope, Justin Greaves and an inexperienced lower order now shoulder the task of eroding Australia’s 225. Conditions remain fair for batting, but Cummins and Hazlewood have exploited just enough morning moisture to generate lift and seam movement. Another burst after the interval could decide whether the West Indies claw their way back or concede a decisive first-innings deficit.
