Grenada — Australia stamped their authority on Caribbean soil yet again, closing out the second Test inside four days with a ruthless 133-run victory that locked up the Frank Worrell Trophy for a 20th consecutive year and set the table for a potential whitewash in next week’s day-night finale in Kingston.
Pressure Applied, Pressure Accepted
Chasing 277 on a surface whose variable bounce punished anything resembling a flourish, the West Indies buckled for 143 in just 34.3 overs. Mitchell Starc’s searing left-arm pace (3-47) and Nathan Lyon’s wily off-spin (3-38) split the honours, but the broader storyline was Starc’s march toward 400 Test wickets—he sits on 394 and could reach the landmark in what will also be his 100th appearance when the lights switch on in Jamaica.
Early Collapse, No Recovery
By lunch the hosts were rocking at 33-4. Josh Hazlewood’s metronomic opening burst trapped John Campbell leg-before, Starc nicked off Keacy Carty, and debutant Lance Webster celebrated with the edge of Kraigg Brathwaite—whose 100th Test yielded scores of 0 and 7. Pat Cummins then pierced Brandon King’s defence to ice a session that effectively decided the contest.
Chase’s Lone Resistance
Captain Roston Chase offered grit and a few crisp drives in his 34, while Shamar Joseph swung merrily for 24 once the result was academic. Their stand was fleeting: Hazlewood induced an ugly mis-hit from Shai Hope immediately after the interval, Lyon ripped through the middle, and Starc mopped up the tail.
Morning Glimmer Snuffed Out
Earlier, Joseph’s four-for-66 trimmed Australia’s second dig to 243, leaving the tourists seven down overnight and theoretically giving the West Indies a sniff. That optimism lasted about half an hour; once Starc and Lyon found their rhythm, any whiff of a chase vanished into the humid Grenadian breeze.
Looking Ahead
Australia head to Kingston hunting a 3-0 sweep and a milestone moment for their strike bowler under the pink ball. The West Indies, meanwhile, have six short days to locate the confidence—and technical answers—needed to prevent this series from becoming a clean Australian shut-out.
