Australia's Windies dominance extends beyond 30 years
Australia’s stranglehold on the Frank Worrell Trophy will extend well beyond 30 years after clinching the second Test against the West Indies by 133 runs in Grenada.
Set a target of 277 runs to win, the West Indies capitulated for 143 in just 34.3 overs before tea on day four, as Australia grabbed an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series.
Veteran quick Mitchell Starc, who will become the 16th Australian to reach 100 Tests next week, was the destroyer in chief with 3-24.
Wicketkeeper Alex Carey was named player of the match for his crucial knocks of 63 and 30 in a low-scoring Test where the pitch provided plenty of assistance for bowlers.
“Away wins are not the easiest to come by,” Australia captain Pat Cummins told reporters.
“Really pumped with how we bounced back after Lord’s (a surprise loss against South Africa in the World Test Championship final).
“Two (wins) from two (games) gets us into the (WTC) cycle and we’ve played some really good cricket.”
Ending a rain-interrupted day three on 7-221, Australia lost 3-22 quickly on Sunday to send the Windies in to bat before lunch.
John Campbell was first Windies wicket to fall, lbw facing his second delivery from Josh Hazlewood.
Keacy Carty was next out, edging one from Starc to Carey.
Beau Webster’s introduction in the 10th over was swiftly rewarded with the prized wicket of opener Kraigg Brathwaite, who departed for seven in his 100th Test match.
It was a familiar tale for Australia, whose star-studded bowling attack powered them out of trouble.
Cameron Green’s breakthrough fifty at No.3 and 71 from Steve Smith on his return from a dislocated finger laid the platform for Australia’s second innings.
But openers Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas, both at opposite ends of their career, were again troubled by the Windies pacers.
Teenager Konstas was shattered after falling for a fourth-ball duck in the second innings, continuing his tough second stint in the Australian team.
“Don’t get too caught up in it,” Cummins said of his advice for Konstas.
“Every innings feels like the biggest thing in the world.
“The stat is that the best batters in the world don’t hit their average three out of four times, so you’re going to fail more often than you’re going to succeed.
“As long as you’re a quick learner, as long as you’re moving well and giving yourself the best chance, keep doubling down on that and judge yourself after a series, not innings by innings.
“For anyone who’s starting out their Test career, you’re picked for a reason,” added Cummins.
“It’s just about concentrating on what makes you a really good player.”
The pink-ball Test in Kingston, starting on July 12, will be Australia’s last before the Ashes begins in Perth on November 21.
England are licking their wounds after being demolished by 336 runs at home against India overnight, squaring the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy at 1-1.
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