Josh Hazlewood said Australia is hoping to “bat the whole day” after putting itself in a strong position entering the second day of the first Test against West Indies.
Australia were 59-2 at stumps, with Usman Khawaja not out 30 and Cameron Green on six after restricting the visitors to just 188 in their first innings.
It could have been an even better start for Australia had it not been for breakout debutant Shamar Joseph, who added 36 runs off 41 balls after West Indies found itself at 133-9.
Joseph further stamped his authority on the match with the ball in hand as he dismissed Smith, who joined Marnus Labuschagne as the two Australian batters to fall early in their first innings.
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MATCH CENTRE: Australia vs West Indies live scores, stats
Cummins and Hazlewood lead Aussie charge | 03:00
Still, Australia remains in control of the first Test after a stunning display from Josh Hazlewood, who finished with figures of 4-44.
Skipper Pat Cummins, having made the bold decision to send the West Indies out to bat first, also had four wickets.
Speaking to reporters after the first day’s action, Hazlewood said the Adelaide pitch had been “interesting”.
“Not much pace and bounce and the odd one nipped around. I love playing here,” he said.
“You don’t have to bowl too quick, just hang around the off stump. Hopefully we bat the whole day tomorrow.”
In his daily pitch inspection an hour before play on Day 2, Fox Cricket’s Brendon Julian believes it will be another day suited to the bowlers.
“This pitch had a bit of grass on it yesterday and we saw it swing and seam around,” Julian said.
“I still think it’s going to seam around and swing today. Overcast conditions which will be good for bowling.
“What we did see yesterday was a bit of uneven bounce, and I think that’s what will happen today. All in all, a pretty good bowling day.”
‘I’ll post that picture up in my house!’ | 00:35
SMITH BACK AT WORK AFTER FIRST INNINGS FAILURE
In an ideal world for Australia, Steve Smith would be batting in the middle of Adelaide Oval on Thursday morning.
Instead, he was batting behind it, wasting no time in plotting redemption for his misfire as a Test opener on day one against the West Indies.
All roads since David Warner’s Test retirement led to yesterday afternoon, when Smith made his debut as an opener in the five-day format.
The script was building towards a fairy tale moment – but it belonged to Shemar Joseph, not Smith.
The 24-year-old West Indies speedster, with his first ball in Test cricket no less, charged in from the Cathedral End and nicked off the Australian superstar.
He went wild in celebration, and later told reporters it was a moment he would remember for the rest of his life.
Smith might, too, for different reasons. But 75 minutes before play started on day two, he was already taking the necessary steps to try and forget it.
Only two players from Australia’s XI were in the nets at that time; Alex Carey and Nathan Lyon, who were working on their wicketkeeping and bowling respectively.
The only man padded up was Steve Smith who was getting to work, hoping to find something to help recapture his best form.
It was a mixed session, with deliveries mainly focussed on targeting his pads, the rib cage, and Smith’s fourth-to-fifth stump area.
It is the latter channel in which Joseph said the West Indies had identified as a weakness for Smith – and it is where the debutant sent down his first ball that produced a wicket.
Smith’s session lasted roughly 15 minutes, after which he appeared to be in relatively high spirits as he shared a laugh with an Australian staffer, and spoke with Fox Cricket’s Brendon Julian, before heading back into the changerooms.
GREEN TO “FEEL THE PRESSURE”
It shapes up being an important day for Cameron Green, who resumes Day 2 on six not out.
Green was recalled into the Australian side to bat at four, after Steve Smith was promoted up the order to replace the retired David Warner.
After Smith failed to inspire when dismissed for 12, the Aussie selectors will be hoping Green can justify the decision with a big score.
Fox Sports’ Jim Callinan posed to Fox Cricket’s Brendon Julian whether this is the day he has to “repay the faith”.
“You never want to walk into an innings thinking this is where I have to repay the selectors faith or whether I’m under pressure ,” Julian said.
“For Cam Green, he’ll just want to find bat on ball early on and just find his feet.
“Yes, he’ll feel the pressure, no doubt about that… I think it’s a matter of calming and settling into their innings and then he’s away.”
PLAYING XIs
Australia: Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Justin Greaves, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Kemar Roach
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