After the touring Australians chalked up a dominant nine-wicket win in Dominica, we head to Sabina Park, Kingston for the second and final Test of this bilateral series.
The Aussies will take a lot of confidence out of their performance in the first Test after a five month lay off from red ball action. Although soundly beaten, the West Indies will also take confidence out of the first clash, as for much of the game they competed with the tourists, and even had the edge over Australia at times.
Crafty leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo was the star for the hosts, picking up six wickets in the first innings including the prized scalps of renowned players of spin, Michael Clarke and Steve Smith. Had it not been for the man of the match heroics of 35-year-old debutant Adam Voges who struck a marvellous 130 not out, we may well have seen a vastly different result to this game.
But alas, the first Test is done and dusted, so let’s get stuck into the finer details of the second Test.
The Big Match Up:
The big match up for mine in this Test is going to be Bishoo up against Smith. With Smith in such rare form with the bat at the present, and batting at such a key position in the order at three, his performance against Bishoo will be paramount to the success of the rest of the batting unit.
If Bishoo again snares Smith, a middle-order collapse could be imminent, as Australia’s struggles with quality spin bowling are well-documented. If Smith can go on the attack early against Bishoo and assert himself, then expect the Aussies to dominate and dictate terms. And if the batsmen score enough runs, with the quality of bowling Australia possess, they will win this game.
Lyon-Hearted Bull
On a spinners track last Test, Nathan Lyon wasn’t quite as effective as he would’ve hoped to be. Expect him to rebound and deliver a much improved performance. With another track that should spin, if a couple of half-chances go to hand Lyon could end up snaring a bag full of wickets.
Another man who was quiet in the first Test was David ‘Bull’ Warner. The stocky opener missed out in his first dig, being dismissed cheaply for eight before teeing off in the second innings to help propel Australia home with a whirlwind 28.
Warner was the top run scorer in the recent IPL and has reportedly been smashing the leather everywhere in the nets. Pencil him in for at least a half century this Test.
Samuels the Key for West Indies
Marlon Samuels is the key batsman for the Windies. His partnership with Shane Dowrich in the second innings threatened to become a big problem for the Australians until it was finally broken when Dowrich chipped a shot to Shane Watson at short midwicket. Soon after Samuels again lost his wicket to a skied hook shot for 74, in a mirror image of his first-innings dismissal.
Besides his lapses against the short ball, Samuels showed grit and patience to withstand the Aussie attack. If he can grind out some big runs and cope with the bouncer, the Windies chances of winning this game will markedly improve.
And if Samuels holds the key with the bat, then Jason Holder is the man with the ball. The young bowling all-rounder, although he has only played seven Tests, has a wealth of leadership experience after becoming the youngest person to captain the Windies at age 23, when he took charge for the recent World Cup.
A handy batsman too with a Test ton under his belt, if he can lead from the front and keep the pressure on while bowling, it will allow Bishoo to weave his magic down the other end and create wicket taking opportunities.
My Predictions
Man of the match: Shane Watson
I believe Watson could be in for a big game here. My money’s on Watto to recapture his best form and finally score Test ton number five.
Result: Australia win by six wickets
While the Windies have a lot to be encouraged by and to be hopeful for, I see the Australians churning out a comfortable six wicket win to sweep the series 2-0.
Coverage of the second Test, live from Sabina Park, starts at 12:45AM on Fox Sports 4, so make sure you’re ready to pull an all-nighter if you’re wanting to stay up and watch – you could even call in sick to work…
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