Australia 138-3 at Dinner in Third Test Against West Indies

AFP/APP

Kingston, Jamaica: Cameron Green fell just short of a half-century as Australia reached 138 for three at the dinner break on the opening day of the third and final day/night Test against the West Indies at Sabina Park on Saturday.

Green, aiming to solidify his place at number three, was bowled by Jayden Seales for 46 just 15 minutes before the interval. His dismissal ended a 61-run third-wicket stand with Steve Smith, who remained unbeaten on 36 alongside Travis Head heading into the final session.

Earlier in the session, Usman Khawaja was caught behind by Shai Hope off Shamar Joseph for a painstaking 23 off 92 deliveries.

Smith showed positive intent from the outset, notably striking three consecutive boundaries off Justin Greaves — the same bowler who dismissed him in the second innings of the second Test in Grenada.

The West Indies were without fast bowler Alzarri Joseph for the entire session, with no official explanation provided for his absence.

This is the first pink-ball Test ever played in Jamaica and only the second hosted in the Caribbean.

Australia, chasing a series sweep and opting to bat after skipper Pat Cummins won his third toss in a row, had an anxious start. Opener Sam Konstas survived a near run-out and was dropped at third slip by debutant Kevlon Anderson off successive deliveries from Seales. He eventually fell leg-before to Greaves for 17.

Anderson, who replaced Keacy Carty, is one of three changes in the West Indies lineup from the Grenada Test, which Australia won by 133 runs. That match marked Kraigg Brathwaite’s 100th Test — and possibly his last — as he was dropped for Mikyle Louis in the series finale. Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican also returned, replacing seamer Anderson Phillip.

Australia made one change, dropping off-spinner Nathan Lyon in favor of pacer Scott Boland — a decision that could prove costly as both Warrican and captain Roston Chase extracted significant turn from the surface during the opening two sessions.

Mitchell Starc leads Australia’s attack in his 100th Test match and is five wickets away from the 400-wicket milestone.