India batsman Ajinkya Rahane still eyeing Test comeback despite silence from selectors
At 37, Ajinkya Rahane hasn't featured in a Test match in two years, but his passion for red-ball cricket remains undiminished.
Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph, and Justin Greaves shared all ten wickets between them, capitalizing on lively conditions and a well-grassed surface. What looked like a platform for a big first-innings total quickly unraveled after Cameron Green fell to a seaming delivery from Seales just before the dinner break.
Steve Smith and Travis Head were removed in quick succession under the floodlights, with substitute Anderson Phillip pulling off a flying catch to dismiss Head. Greaves and Joseph continued the onslaught, with Australia losing their final five wickets for just 43 runs.
Earlier, Smith and Green had steadied the innings after a sluggish start, moving Australia to 129 for 2. But once Seales found his rhythm, momentum shifted decisively. Mitchell Starc, playing his 100th Test, was out for a duck but struck early with the ball, removing debutant Kevlon Anderson.
West Indies had to reshuffle their top order due to injuries to Mikyle Louis and John Campbell, but debutant Anderson and Brandon King battled through a testing final session to end the day at 13 for 1.
Australia's decision to drop Nathan Lyon for an all-seam attack raised eyebrows, particularly as West Indies opted for spin with the return of Jomel Warrican. Still, the pace bowlers were the stars, exploiting the conditions expertly as twilight turned to night.
With the pink ball moving under lights, the match remains finely poised. But with the Windies quicks firing and Australia missing a spinner, the balance could tilt quickly again on Day 2.