The play will start in about 35 minutes from now, so stay tuned for the pitch report and further updates.

Now coming to today's action, West Indies batters will have their tasks cut out against the famed Aussie pace trio of Cummins, Hazlewood, and Starc. The wicket, as we talked about earlier, has aided pacers, and the Aussie pace trio will surely enjoy bowling on this surface. In fact, their fourth pacer, Beau Webster, can also be a handful with his medium pacers on this topsy-turvy wicket. The weather at the stadium is expected to be cloudy, with some rain predicted later in the day. So overall it will also be interesting to see if it has any impact on the pitch. Yesterday, we saw movement drying down a bit in the 2nd session, so from the West Indies point of view, their first target will be to go to Lunch with minimal damage. 

Well, coming to the wicket, on Day 1 it aided pacers from the word go, as there was consistent movement off the wicket and in the air throughout the day. In fact, there was variable bounce on display too, as there were quite a few deliveries that stayed low or bounced a touch extra. If Pat Cummins's dismissal yesterday is anything to go by, then this surface is only going to get tougher to bat on. The Windies pacers, led by Alzarri Joseph, did a fairly good job to reduce the Aussies to 110/5. But then it seemed like the pacers took the pedal off the accelerator in the 2nd session, as the last 5 wickets added 176 runs to the final total. Eventually, Alzarri Joseph finished with a four-fer. Jayden Seales got two, and the rest of the pacers took one apiece.

Hello and welcome to Day 2 of the 2nd Test between the West Indies and Australia. On Day 1, rain played a bit of a spoilsport, as we could get in only 66.5 overs yesterday, and that is the reason we will have an early start today. Though only 66.5 overs were possible on Day 1, it was not short of entertainment as we saw Australia getting bowled out for 286. For Australia, as many as 9 batters got into the double figures, but only Beau Webster and Alex Carey managed to cross the 30-run mark. The duo of Webster and Carey, in a way, not only saved the Aussie batting from a collapse but also managed to get a score that is perhaps a touch above par on this wicket.

 ... DAY 2, SESSION 1 ... 

And that wraps up an eventful Day 1 of the 2nd Test! Despite a few rain interruptions, there was no shortage of action, with both sides battling it out fiercely. We’ve lost around 23 overs, so to make up for it, 98 overs are scheduled for Day 2. There will also be an early start, with play set to begin at 1.30 pm GMT. As always, we’ll be here with all the build-up, so don’t forget to join us. Until then, take care, and goodbye!

Beau Webster, one of the half-centurions for Australia, is up for a quick chat. He says that the ball did swing and seam, and in addition to that, he feels there was variable bounce as well, which made it tough, but he stuck to his game plan, and it helped. He is happy with the score, and he feels that it would have been great if he had batted a bit more with the tail and gone past 300. He hopes that the wicket will get tougher as the game progresses, and batting in the last innings will be a big challenge.

Australia carried their momentum into the final session, with Alex Carey reaching his fifty and the stand with Beau Webster crossing 100. Carey fell soon after, but Webster stood firm to notch up a gritty half-century. The lower order added useful runs before Greaves, Alzarri, and Seales struck in quick time, followed by a brief rain break. Post resumption, Webster tried to farm the strike but was run out for 60 after a misjudgment, as the tail dragged the total close to 300. West Indies openers would have thought that they had to face a couple of overs, but Bad Light ensured otherwise.

After a brief rain delay, Australia took control in the second session. Travis Head and Beau Webster pushed the total past 100 before Head fell to Shamar Joseph, thanks to a sharp catch by Hope. From there, Alex Carey and Beau Webster took charge, stitching together a fluent 99-run stand. While a few chances went begging, the duo batted with authority and kept the scoreboard ticking, putting the Windies under pressure.

Australia started steadily after opting to bat, with the openers showing positive intent, but a sudden collapse saw them slip from 47/0 to 50/3 in a span of three overs, with Alzarri Joseph striking twice and Anderson Phillip chipping in. Despite the wobble, Travis Head and Cameron Green counter-attacked to steady the innings, but just when things looked to be settling, Jayden Seales removed Green on the stroke of Lunch, denying him a chance to capitalise after being dropped.

A dramatic day of Test cricket comes to an unexpected end due to BAD LIGHT! Both teams had their share of moments, with West Indies impressing in the morning and evening sessions, but Australia’s positive approach and control during the afternoon, scoring at over four runs an over despite losing wickets, has given them a slight edge heading into Day 2.

We’re all set for West Indies’ reply as the players make their way out... but wait, there’s a twist! Just as they were heading to the middle, the umpires pulled out the light meter and weren’t satisfied with the reading. They have instructed the players to go off and call it a day. STUMPS ON DAY 1! The Windies openers will breathe a sigh of relief, avoiding a potentially tricky period, while Australia will be a touch frustrated, having hoped to snatch a breakthrough or two before close.

... SECOND INNINGS ...

West Indies might be slightly disappointed with their overall effort, knowing they let a few chances slip in the field, missing run-out opportunities, and dropping a couple of catches. Still, it was a fairly decent bowling performance. Alzarri Joseph led the attack brilliantly with a four-wicket haul, while Jayden Seales picked up a couple. Apart from Roston Chase, every other bowler contributed with a wicket. Now, the focus shifts to their batters, who have the task of negotiating a tricky spell before Stumps.

Australia have posted a strong total of 286 here, largely built on the backbone of another solid middle-order effort. Alex Carey and Beau Webster played pivotal roles, stitching together a vital 112-run partnership that pulled them out of trouble and shifted the momentum their way. While four of the top five got starts without pushing on, it was the middle and lower order once again that stepped up, with both Carey and Webster notching impressive fifties and the tail chipping in valuable runs to round off a well-rounded batting effort.