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West Indies
Australia
Australia will go into the third Test at Sabina Park with a 2-0 lead and a chance to complete a clean sweep. The visitors have looked stronger in both batting and bowling across the series. In both matches, West Indies struggled with the bat and registered just one half-century. On the other hand, Australia has scored 8 half-centuries across the two Tests, showing more consistency.
The first Test was a low-scoring contest with no centuries. Australia still managed to edge ahead with contributions from the middle order. The second Test followed a similar pattern. West Indies' batting has not delivered, and their bowlers have not been able to apply enough pressure either.
Australia has won four of its last five Tests, while the West Indies has won just one in the same span. Australia has also won four of the last five head-to-head Tests. They will start as clear favourites in the final Test in Jamaica.
Australia's top and middle order has been more consistent, with four batters scoring 50+ twice in the series, while the West Indies batters have scored just one.
The betting tip is...
Top Batterβs Team - Australia
60 %
40 %
West IndiesAustraliaThe West Indies are expected to stick with the same playing XI despite their struggles with the bat. Kraigg Brathwaite will continue to lead the side and will aim to improve his numbers, having scored 426 runs in his last 10 Tests at an average of around 21.
Brandon King has been their best batter in the series so far with 115 runs in four innings. Shamar Joseph, mainly a bowler, is surprisingly the second-highest scorer for the West Indies in the series with 105 runs. Carty, Hope, and Campbell have all failed to cross the 100-run mark in four innings.
The top order collapsed in the last Test, putting pressure on the lower order. With the ball, Shamar Joseph leads with 14 wickets. Seales has 10 wickets and remains their key bowler, with 44 wickets in his last 9 Tests. Alzarri Joseph will look to support both pace bowlers.
Brathwaite, Hope and King are the key batters.
Predicted Lineup: Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Brandon King, Shai Hope (wk), Roston Chase (c), Justin Greaves, Anderson Phillip, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales.
Australia will continue with the same playing XI after winning both Tests. Steve Smith returned and batted at number four. He scored 71 in the second innings of the second Test, showing good control. He brings experience and consistency with 739 runs at an average of 49 in his last 9 Tests. Travis Head averages over 44 in his last 10 matches.
He is also the top scorer in the series with 188 runs in four innings. Carey has scored 166 runs, and Webster has made 136 runs. All three have two fifties each in this series.Β
Khawaja and Konstas have not contributed much at the top, and Australia's search for a stable opener after Warner continues. In the bowling, Hazlewood has taken 11 wickets, Lyon has 9, and Starc has 8. Webster has been handy in both departments, giving Australia depth.
Smith, Head and Carey are the in-form batters.
Predicted Lineup: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Cameron Green, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Australia will go into the final Test with more confidence, especially with how their batters have performed under pressure. Travis Head, Alex Carey and Beau Webster have all been consistent in the series. Smithβs return in the last match has solidified the batting further.
On the other hand, the West Indies have struggled with the bat. Their top order has failed to get going, and most of their runs have come from lower-order batters.Β
While both teams have bowled well, Australiaβs batting depth gives them a clear edge. With players like Head and Carey in form and Smith coming back, the Australian batting looks stronger.
