The West Indies have collapsed in a “horrid” and “really weak” batting display, letting Australia off the hook for a couple of errors in the field.
Here are the quick hits from the third and final Test in Jamaica.
1. Boland fires after no-ball wicket
Scott Boland was instrumental on his return to the Australian attack. (AP: Ricardo Mazalan)
Known for his accuracy and dependability, Scott Boland doesn’t usually bowl too many no balls.
But whether it was down to rustiness or maybe excitement, the 38-year-old overstepped more than once early on the second day of his return to the Australian team.
And it wasn’t long before he was made to pay for it. In the 20th over, he had Roston Chase caught behind to one that nipped in off a length.
Not believing he hit it, the West Indies captain immediately challenged the decision — but it proved academic, as the third umpire ruled Boland had overstepped before reviewing the footage.
However, Boland wasn’t to be denied for long, picking up his first wicket in the West Indies when John Campbell inexplicably shouldered arms to one that thundered into his front pad and would’ve gone on to send his off stump flying.
Boland’s influence only grew as Australia continued its march towards a first innings lead, eventually finishing with innings best figures of 3-34.
2. Louis, Louis, oh no, away you go
Mikyle Louis’s dismissal was described as more akin to a number 11 than a Test opener. (AP: Ricardo Mazalan)
Mikyle Louis was recalled as an opener in place of 100-Test player Kraigg Brathwaite, but couldn’t take his place at the top of the order on Sunday night due to a knee injury.
Debutant Kevlon Anderson was the unfortunate victim, elevated from number three and bowled by one of the best new-ball bowlers in Test history, so Louis had some debts to repay when he came out at number five.
He knuckled under briefly, but shortly after batting partner Campbell was out LBW, Louis took a very different approach and tried to clatter his 30th ball out of the ground.
The good length delivery from Josh Hazlewood instead smashed into his off stump, and former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop teed off in commentary for ESPN.
“That is an ugly shot. That is a very disappointing shot. A hoick out of nowhere by Mikyle Louis,” he said.
“It was a shot you’d expect a number 11 to play, not Mikyle Louis.”
Former Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin joined in, labelling it “an absolute brain explosion”.
3. Greaves punishes Carey
Alex Carey has been just about perfect behind the stumps of late, but he had a rare blemish on day two when he dropped Justin Greaves.
The West Indies all-rounder slashed wildly at a Mitchell Starc delivery and the edge spewed quickly away, with Carey moving well to try rein it in with both hands.
The tough chance, which was going straight to Usman Khawaja at first slip, hit the grass, and Greaves took two runs.
The next ball was drilled down the ground for four, another went for three, and the over ended with a single.
Instead of a wicket, Starc’s over cost 10 runs.
Carey also dropped an easier chance off Shai Hope’s inside edge later in the day, but Boland skittled him with the next delivery to spare his blushes.
4. Sam’s Kon-tribution
Sam Konstas had a lean series with the bat — his final-innings duck left him with 50 runs at 8 across six innings — but the opener made a telling contribution in the field on day two.
After Greaves had played an attractive back-foot drive into the off-side outfield, Konstas collected the ball as the batters turned to attempt a third run.
The triple would have been easily completed had it not been for a perfect, pinpoint throw from the boundary.
Boland whipped off the bails as Greaves was caught short of his ground for an expansive 18.
It was another utterly avoidable dismissal that only hastened a West Indies collapse that took the hosts from 4-95 to all out for 143.
5. Windies legend slams ‘horrid’ performance
The West Indies lost nine wickets in two sessions on day two, including seven in the second with the Sun shining and the ball not swinging.
Former Australia Test opener Greg Blewett said there were no excuses for the 7-61 collapse — which included Campbell’s LBW without offering a shot, two players being bowled swinging for the fences and a run-out.
“That was, I think, the best batting conditions we’ve seen all series. In my mind, that was a really weak performance by the West Indies,” Blewett said in commentary for ESPN.
“To lose 7-70, I didn’t think there was any excuse for that.”
Former West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite labelled it an “inexplicable” performance by the home team.
“These guys play here year in and year out, and I expected to see a little bit better. You have to give more,” he said.
“A horrid batting performance.”