Mitchell Starc has dismissed any comparisons between the Kensington Oval pitch in Barbados and the Lord’s surface from earlier this month, as Australia prepare for a crucial third day in the first Test against West Indies. With the series on the line, Starc underlined the unpredictability of the Barbados pitch, noting its inconsistent bounce as a key challenge.
In the recent World Test Championship final at Lord’s, both Australia and South Africa posted low first-innings totals before conditions eased dramatically on Day 3. Starc himself had contributed a vital half-century in that match, while South Africa eventually chased down a tricky target thanks to Markram and Bavuma. But the Australian pacer believes Barbados offers a different battle.
“This wicket’s shown a lot more variable bounce than Lord’s. Yesterday one stayed low, the next one jumped and got a wicket,” Starc said. “I think that’s going to continue. There are always chances here—you’re never quite in.”
Australia ended Day 2 with a slender lead of 82 runs, with Travis Head and Beau Webster at the crease. Starc stressed the importance of lower-order contributions in the second innings. “If that partnership builds, we can stretch this lead into something competitive. But with this surface, you’re never sure what’s enough.”
West Indies head coach Daren Sammy, meanwhile, injected humor into the tension. When asked what target he’d consider comfortable, he quipped, “I’d love to chase 82. Somebody get a double hat-trick or something.” But beneath the light tone was the frustration of a coach grappling with missed opportunities.
The West Indies have dropped six catches in the match—five off Shamar Joseph’s bowling—including two early reprieves for Sam Konstas on zero. Joseph eventually dismissed Konstas for 5, but Sammy made it clear the lapses were unacceptable.
“Pretty sure they’re going to get a nice bollocking. Not too angry, but it’s an attitude,” Sammy said. “Catching is a skill, especially in the slips. We’ve got to keep working on it. If we want to achieve the goals we’ve set for this team, our catching efficiency must improve.”
Despite those issues, the hosts have impressed with their bowling intensity. Shamar Joseph, in particular, has rattled the Australian top order and dismissed Konstas twice cheaply—first for 3 and then for 5.
“I think he had three chances and still scored five,” Sammy remarked. “Credit to our bowlers, especially Shamar. Before the Test, he said he was ready for Konstas, and he’s backed that up.”