Seales' Fiery Spell Revives West Indies Hopes After Australia's Day 2 Advantage in Second Test

Jayden Seales delivered a fiery spell, dismantling Australia's top order and injecting crucial hope into the West Indies' chances of survival in the second Test in Grenada. His efforts helped the hosts regain some ground after a day largely controlled by the Australian bowlers.

Australia had earlier dismissed the West Indies for a mere 253 runs, trailing their first innings score of 286. The spicy Grenada pitch offered significant assistance to the fast bowlers, making life difficult for the batsmen.

Jayden Seales picks up 2 wickets late on Day 2. (AP Photo)

West Indies Innings Falters

The West Indies innings got off to a disastrous start, with Kraigg Brathwaite falling for a duck in his 100th Test, caught and bowled by Josh Hazlewood in the opening over. Keacy Carty followed soon after, dismissed by Pat Cummins for 6. John Campbell, after a promising start, threw away his wicket for 40, skying a shot off Beau Webster to mid-on.

A maiden Test half-century from Brandon King, coupled with valuable contributions from the tailenders, pushed the West Indies closer to Australia's total of 286.

At 174-7 after lunch, the West Indies were still trailing by over 100 runs. However, the lower-order batsmen, particularly Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph, displayed resilience, frustrating the Australian attack for 25 overs.

King and Chase Build a Partnership

King and captain Roston Chase, who took 18 deliveries to get off the mark, steadied the ship for the West Indies, taking them from 64-3 to a more confident 110-3 by lunch. Chase was dismissed soon after lunch, trapped LBW by Hazlewood for 16 after Australia reviewed the decision.

King then accelerated, hitting Hazlewood for a six over square leg. His seventh boundary brought up his maiden Test 50 off 77 balls – West Indies' first half-century of the series. He continued his aggressive approach, hitting Lyon for two further sixes, and his partnership with Shai Hope began to flourish.

Cummins ended their 58-run stand by bowling Hope for 21, and King departed in the following over, edging Lyon behind. King's innings of 75 off 108 balls included eight boundaries and three sixes.

The fall of Justin Greaves soon after sent West Indies tumbling to 174-7.

The Josephs managed to survive until tea and continued to add runs, putting on a 51-run partnership. Alzarri scored 27 and Shamar 29. The final pair, Anderson Phillip and Seales, provided further resistance, lasting nearly 11 overs for 16 runs.

All six Australian bowlers claimed wickets, with Lyon leading the way with 3-75.

Seales Strikes Back

The Australian top order has been under scrutiny since their home Test series against India. Jayden Seales exploited this vulnerability, removing both openers to leave Australia's second innings at 12-2. This reduced their lead over the West Indies to 45 runs at the end of Day 2.

The hosts created a hostile atmosphere and capitalized on the Australian top order's nervousness.

Seales bowled Sam Konstas for a duck in the first over and almost dismissed Cameron Green on the very next delivery. Green narrowly avoided edging the ball to second slip. Seales then trapped Usman Khawaja LBW with a nip-backer for 2. Khawaja's review confirmed the ball would have hit the middle stump.

Nathan Lyon was sent in as the nightwatchman and, along with Green, managed to survive until the close of play.