Carlos Brathwaite shone briefly for the West Indies, but the rain was the only real victor on Monday as wet weather washed away all but 11.2 overs of play on the second day of the third Test against Australia.
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The Barbados all-rounder clouted two massive sixes off one James Pattinson over on his way to a dynamic 69 after lunch.
Brathwaite thumped Pattinson over extra cover for six and two balls later lifted one off his pads over square leg for another six, with 15 runs coming from that over.
Australia’s bowlers had emerged from lunch re-energised, however, and Pattinson reaped the rewards in the third over when Bravo’s miscued attempt to pull a short delivery sent the ball flying to Usman Khawaja running in from the deep.
The fidgety state after this wicket was compensated to some extent by Carlos Brathwaite, who played a whirlwind cameo of 35 off as many balls with 4 fours and 2 enormous sixes at the expense of the Steve O’Keefe.
Denesh Ramdin and Kemar Roach will resume their innings on Day Four after the third day was abandoned with a ball being bowled due to rain in the ongoing third Test between Australia and West Indies.
Further rain is forecast for Wednesday, most likely preventing any result but a draw.
There is a lot there to work with, we have seen their enthusiasm in the past few days and I am very happy there is plenty to work with.
“On a first-day pitch that is spinning like that, once we get a score – anything about 300 will put ourselves in a good position”, he said.
“I didn’t expect the first day to spin”, Kraigg Brathwaite said. “We always go out there with a positive mindset”, Brathwaite said.
“Then reaching halfway off and hearing the applause – I even saw some people standing – I just took a step back and said “you know what, just enjoy the feeling”.
Steve O’Keefe was able to get through two overs and Lyon one more before the wet weather returned yet again, forcing the players off the field at 12.10pm.
Rain interrupted the play twice in the day and only 75 overs of play was possible. “Support staff get us switched on and Smithy makes sure that with 10 minutes to go we’re ready and out there to do a job”.
Australia have named Stephen O’Keefe in their side for the New Year’s Test against the West Indies, with the spinner replacing Peter Siddle as the hosts look to sweep the series.
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The 23-year-old has shown some glimpses of his potential with the willow this series, holding together his team’s second innings with 94 during the first Test in Hobart.
