Rain of runs

On day one, 14 wickets fell, and on day two 10 wickets. Before Friday’s play, Lyon said, “Every run is gold.” But Australia enjoyed a gold rush from Head, who made 61, Webster 63, and Carey 65.

Australia, starting on 92-4 and a lead of 82, amassed a bonus 310 total.

After taking cover late Thursday, Head came out firing in the morning but should have gone on 21 and it be 107-5. Greaves spilled the catch at second slip off the bowling of Alzarri Joseph. It was West Indies’ seventh dropped catch in the match.

Head shook it off and drove Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales, Warrican and Greaves to the ropes. From 13 off 37 balls overnight, Head reached his 50 in 77 balls. The match had only two half-centuries at that stage, and Head had both.

“We batted exceptionally well to set 300,” Head said. “Last night I was desperate to get through to stumps. (I was) a bit slow in the second innings but that was what was needed. Tough conditions, glad to be among runs.”

He and Webster rattled off the only century partnership of the game, too. Head was the only wicket to fall in the morning, to a low nip-backer by Shamar Joseph. Head had eight boundaries in his 61 off 95 balls.

Straight after lunch, Webster got his third half-century in his fifth test from 100 deliveries. He was also out to Shamar Joseph, edging behind, which was picked up on review. He also had eight boundaries.

Carey wasted no time, bashing Seales for six back over the sightscreen, and charging at Greaves to lob a six on the roof over long-off. He reached 50 in 40 balls and helped the tail produce 63 runs for the last four wickets.

Starc, Lyon, and Hazlewood hit seven boundaries between them.

Shamar Joseph got 5-87 and a nine-wicket haul in his eighth test.

The second of three tests starts next Thursday in St. George’s, Grenada.