Alex Carey and Beau Webster rescue Australia on day one in Grenada

Australia faced a stern examination on the opening day of the second Test against the West Indies in Grenada, finding themselves reeling early under a relentless four-pronged pace assault. What promised to be a challenging contest quickly turned perilous for the visitors, who slumped to a precarious 110 for 5 soon after the lunch break. The Kensington Oval pitch, offering a hint of bounce and movement, was expertly exploited by the West Indies quicks, who ripped through Australia’s top and middle order with precision and pace. Openers struggled to find their footing, and key batsmen departed cheaply, leaving the innings on the brink of a complete collapse.

Just when it seemed Australia was heading for a truly dismal total, wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey and debutant all-rounder Beau Webster forged a magnificent partnership that not only stemmed the flow of wickets but also propelled the score towards respectability. Carey, displaying his characteristic blend of aggression and composure, anchored the innings with a vital half-century, navigating the hostile spells with a mix of deft deflections and powerful drives. Webster, making his Test debut, showed remarkable maturity beyond his years. He complemented Carey perfectly, playing watchful yet confident strokes, absorbing pressure and gradually building his confidence. Their stand was a masterclass in crisis management, frustrating the West Indian bowlers who had earlier tasted so much success.

The pair's resilience transformed the narrative of the day. Their partnership, spanning well over 150 runs, not only rescued Australia from a potentially sub-200 total but pushed them to a more competitive 286 by stumps. While the West Indies bowlers eventually broke the stand late in the day and picked up a few more wickets, the damage had been significantly mitigated. Carey and Webster's efforts ensured that Australia, despite the early jitters, concluded Day One with a fighting chance in the match. Their gritty performance will provide a crucial psychological boost for the touring side, who will now look to their bowlers to capitalize on a total that seemed improbable just hours earlier. The stage is set for a compelling Day Two, with both teams having tasted success at different points on the opening day.