2:48pm That will be a wrap from us for this game. Australia take a 2-0 lead, and they will take that lead to Jamaica in a few days' time, with these sides clashing there in a pink-ball Test. We hope you enjoyed our coverage as much as we loved bringing it to you, and look forward to your company for the cricket that lies ahead. Until then, from Ekanth, Harshith, Raghav and myself (Shashwat), this is goodbye. Take care, folks!
Alex Carey, Player of the Match: (On his approach) Going out there with a pretty good intent…the wickets have not been easy. Looking at Head and Webster, the guys that go out there with intent, try to put scoreboard pressure, have had success and that has been the method so far. (Mindset as a batter) The wickets have been challenging. They have been a lot of fun to play on. It (Test cricket) can be a five-day grind or a three-day grind. Having the method, having the ability to adapt. Again in this game, we thought conditions would deteriorate, so winning the toss was crucial. The bowlers did an important job of putting the ball in the right areas. Contributing to your team is what you always want to do. To be able to do that and win a series for Australia is fantastic. They (West Indies) came out (to Australlia) two years ago, and they challenged us. For us to win this series outright, it has been a fantastic tour, and looking forward to the next game as well.
Pat Cummins, Australia captain: Both tight matches (in the series so far). Had to graft our way in both matches. Pretty proud (to win against a pretty strong West Indies side). (On their approach) The new ball has been pretty tricky for both teams. Just finding our way, of weathering that good spell, and being really clear on what areas to score. (On if their bowling plans changed from the first innings to the second) Not really. The pitch deteriorated a bit, so got a bit simpler for our plans. Hit good areas ball after ball, and wait for the game to come to us. (On what they will try doing in the third Test) Much of the same. Keep the high standard, we are playing for WTC points. It will be a pink-ball (game). We now have a week off, which is well deserved. He (Carey) was great last week as well. when he walks in to bat, it is normally a tricky period. He has that habit of building partnerships and getting us up to good totals (to defend).
Roston Chase, West Indies captain: We never really got those partnerships going. The new ball was the biggest challenge - we lost too many wickets. If we could avoid a few wickets in the first 10-15 overs, we will have a better chance (of scoring more runs). 270 was always a challenging task but as a team, you always have to believe, despite the conditions and what has happened previously. (On the message to the team) Stay confident, believe in yourselves. If we can set the tone early, in terms of the opening partnership or the top three batters staying out there for a little longer, we will be in with a good shout. Those guys (the bowling attack) are really hungry - they are always eager to bowl. When I want to take them off, they always want one more over. Makes it tough as a captain to rotate my bowlers (smiles). But they are always hungry and they are world-class bowlers.
2:30pm When this day began, West Indies knew they were up against it. And that is how it proved to be. They were chasing under 300, but they still fell 133 short, and even that margin of defeat seems to flatter them. Their batters were all at sea as Australia hunted in a pack of five, and the game was all but done before the lower-order batters had some fun and reduced the margin of defeat.
And while that may seem a damning indictment, that perhaps sums it up best. Australia, of course, deserve their share of credit too. They were not spotless in Grenada. Nor were they flawless in Barbados. But when the game demanded a moment to be seized, they did so, whether it was with the bat in hand or with the ball. They now have taken an unassailable lead in this series and though questions still remain over their batting, they will have an opportunity in Jamaica to resolve those without the added pressure of the series being on the line. Stick around for the post-match presentation.
JNT Seales c & b Lyon 8 (6m 3b 0x4 1x6) SR: 266.66
Lyon from around the wicket to Seales. Short leg and slip in place. Long on is on the fence
END OF OVER:34 | 4 Runs | WI: 135/9
- Anderson Phillip11 (22b)
- Jayden Seales0 (0b)
- Pat Cummins8-1-26-1
- Nathan Lyon5-1-34-2