Seales routs Australia's opening batters and limits lead to 45 on day two in Grenada

ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada (AP) — A brilliant spell of fast bowling from Jayden Seales on Friday dramatically shifted the momentum of the second Test in St. George's, as the young West Indian quick ripped through Australia's top order to leave the visitors reeling on day two. Seales’ electrifying performance ensured that Australia’s second innings began in disarray, reducing them to a precarious 12 for two and severely curtailing their overall lead to just 45 runs by stumps, setting the stage for a captivating third day.

The Grenadian crowd, buoyed by their team's resilience earlier in the day, erupted as Seales, with pace and precision, delivered crucial blows right from the outset of Australia's second turn at the crease. With the ball swinging and seaming, he first accounted for the prolific Usman Khawaja, caught at slip with a delivery that found just enough movement off the pitch. Moments later, the right-armer followed up with another significant scalp, dispatching Marnus Labuschagne, who was trapped in front of the stumps by a full, inswinging delivery. These twin strikes within the first few overs sent shockwaves through the Australian camp and injected a palpable sense of belief into the West Indies side, turning what could have been a commanding lead into a slender advantage.

Seales' incisive spell was the perfect culmination to a day where the West Indies fought tooth and nail to stay in the contest. After a gritty batting display that saw them narrow the first-innings deficit, the onus was on the bowlers to maintain the pressure. Seales, leading the charge, responded magnificently, demonstrating maturity beyond his years. His ability to extract bounce and movement on a pitch that had offered some assistance throughout the day proved pivotal. As stumps were drawn, with Australia’s remaining batters facing a daunting task on Saturday morning, the West Indies will undoubtedly feel they hold a psychological edge, having turned a potentially comfortable scenario for the tourists into a tense battle for supremacy in this crucial series encounter. The match now hangs delicately in the balance, promising an enthralling continuation.