Match News and Current Form
The only semblance of resistance that the West Indies have shown with the bat has come in the first innings of each match, and even then they found themselves up against it after losing at least four wickets before getting to 100. Their batters were nothing short of dreadful in the second innings when tasked with chasing targets of 277 and 301 and crumbled in almost identical fashion in both Barbados and Grenada, with their second innings lasting 33 and 34 overs respectively.
At least the quick bowling has been on point throughout the series and it likely means that they too will benefit from the pink ball and what appears to be a grassy Sabina Park pitch. Considering all West Indian batters are averaging less than 30 in the series so far, they’re simply going to have to use their bowling to drag the Australians down underneath them. The trio of Shamar Joseph (14 series wickets), Jayden Seales (ten) and Alzarri Joseph (eight) are all in excellent touch and are capable of doing so, whilst the excessive lateral movement of the pink ball could bring Justin Greaves (five) into the equation.
Australia must have been left aghast but delighted upon hearing the news that the West Indies opted to welcome them to the second ever day-night Test played on a Caribbean island, at least until they remembered what happened the last time the two sides duked it out with a pink ball. That iconic game in Brisbane was Australia’s first and only loss in a day-night Test and the overwhelming majority of their 12 victories from 13 games have come by huge margins.
The loss should at least serve as a reminder that they must continue to guard against complacency despite winning the first two games of this series pretty comfortably, whilst the further World Test Championship points up for grabs will also keep them on their toes. Their veteran bowling quartet has been the backbone of their pink ball success, led by Mitchell Starc (74 wickets from 13 games) who will be hoping to pass 400 Test wickets in his 100th game.
Head-to-Head History
Australia continues to extend their recent one-sided record over the West Indies and it now stands at 26 wins, four draws and two losses since the turn of the century. The Aussies won 11 of the 14 games (D2, L1) to take place in the Caribbean during that period.
They have one win each from two H2H Tests played with the pink ball, and that was the Windies’ only win from day-night games (L5).
Hot Stats and Streaks
• Six of the last nine Jamaica Tests were won batting first (D1, L2)
• Alex Carey top scored for Australia in three of their last seven innings
• Shamar Joseph has dismissed Travis Head and Cameron Green four times each at averages of 22 and 15
• Jayden Seales has 16 wickets from three Jamaica Tests at an average of 14.94
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Brandon King has looked the most assured and productive of the West Indian batters despite this being his debut Test series, spearheading the first innings resistance in Grenada with the team’s only half-century. He has fallen twice from 7.2 Josh Hazlewood overs and Hazlewood will fancy his chances of repeating the dose given his 50% success rate of taking 3+ wickets in a pink ball innings.
Both captains kept their cards close to their chest on Friday and weren’t ruling out changes to either their batting or bowling units. It means that Kraigg Brathwaite’s place in the side is under threat, whilst Australia were mulling over the possibility of dropping Nathan Lyon for an extra seamer given his limited effectiveness with the pink ball.
Betting Analysis
Australia’s dominance with the pink ball makes them a very appealing favourite even at a short price. For a bit of extra value, you could back Mitchell Starc to take 5+ match wickets as he has often done in day-night Test matches.
