Australia vs West Indies 2nd Test, Day 1: WI Stays Afloat At 266/8 After Kavem Hodge, Joshua Da Silva's Record Stand

Australia vs West Indies 2nd Test, Day 1: West Indies put up a fight of a 266/8 on the opening day of the Gabba Test as Kavem Hodge and Joshua Da Silva added 149 runs for the sixth wicket in the Day/Night Match.

However, before the end of the night, West Indies lost both the set batters, who set a record stand for the sixth wicket in the day/night affair, while Kevin Sinclair was unbeaten at a score of 16.

After struggling to a 64/5, the visiting team's counterattacking play saw Hodge and Joshua stave off Australia's lethal bowling lineup. Their 149-run partnership was the most between any duo in the five Tests played in Australia this summer and the highest against Australia in 11 day-night matches.

Australia's pacers presented a short ball test that Joshua overcame, and Hodge neutralized Nathan Lyon's seasoned spin danger. They pounced on every overpitched delivery with their staunch defence, executing well-controlled cover drives to fetch boundaries.

Hodge had luck on his side as he nicked the ball twice but it landed on the ground instead. It was Lyon who finally snapped his attention. Australia's advantage came from the new ball, when Joshua edged it and Steve Smith ended up spending 79 minutes on the crease.

Warm cheers from the Gabab fans greeted him as he made his way back towards the dugout. Alzarri Joseph scored 32 runs in 22 balls with seven boundaries in a fast-paced knock. With a score of 266/8, the visitors concluded the day. The Caribbeans suffered a setback when West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite elected to bat first after winning the toss, as Starc and Josh Hazlewood controlled the opening session.

The only two notable batsmen for the Caribbeans were Tagenarine Chanderpaul (21 runs from 48 balls) and Kirk McKenzie (21 runs from 25 balls). Nevertheless, in the opening session of the second Test match, the visitors were unable to establish a strong alliance.

Starc, on the other hand, is the leader of the Australian bowling attack with three wickets. In the meantime, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood both claimed one wicket throughout their respective spells.

Brief Score: West Indies 266/8 (Joshua Da Silva 79, Kavem Hodge 71; Mitchell Starc 4-68) vs Australia.