HOMETOWN hero Travis Head posted a crucial century on day two of the Adelaide Test to help put Australia within touching distance of victory. Amid a relatively lean patch for the star batter, he rode his luck en route to an aggressive 119 (134) as the hosts claimed a 95-run first innings lead.

Head’s ton was just the second posted by any batter over the last four Tests in Australia, after the now retired David Warner hit three figures in the opening innings of the summer. It was the local favourite’s first score over 50 since last year’s Ashes series.

Australia headed into day two 129 runs in arrears with Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green at the crease. Reprising his new role at number four, Green hit a couple of fine boundaries in the early stages before becoming Shamar Joseph‘s third wicket of the innings.

The West Australian’s dismissal brought Head to the crease, who was targeted by the Windies with short bowling. While he was tested at one end, Khawaja fell for 45 at the other, making for his fourth first innings score in the 40s this summer. Usually, he goes on with the job.

After veteran Kemar Roach sent Mitchell Marsh packing on the back of shrewd slip placement, the Aussies were down five batters at tea with 44 runs left to get for parity. Pressure began to build in the third session and the hosts remained behind when Alex Carey was undone by Justin Greaves.

The Aussies hit the lead at six-down as Head and Mitch Starc put on a 54-run partnership. Unfortunately Starc was not there to celebrate as Head brought up his century with a booming cover drive, before freeing his shoulders and swinging big.

Having arrived at the crease facing a 121-run deficit, the South Australian left having struck his side to a lead of 67. That was extended to 95 with a little wag of the tail, giving the West Indies around 20-25 overs to face before stumps. It would end up being 22.5.

Though, things began disastrously for the tourists as Josh Hazlewood tore through the top order. After again prizing a wicket with his first ball of the innings, the accurate seamer took three more poles to have the West Indies reeling at 4-19. He ended the day with figures of 4-18.

After posting his maiden Test half-century on day one, Kirk McKenzie looked like being the Windies’ counterattacker but he could only hang for 26 runs off 35 deliveries. The day ended when Greaves (24) was dismissed by Nathan Lyon after a successful review for LBW.

Gloveman Joshua Da Silva, who had an indifferent time behind the stumps, was the not-out batter at stumps and will resume play on 17*. The West Indies remain 22 runs in arrears with just four wickets in hand, meaning the match could well be over within a session on day three.

SCORECARD

STUMPS, DAY TWO

TOSS: Australia won the toss & elected to bowl.

1ST INNINGS: West Indies 10-188 (62.1)
Kirk McKenzie 50 (94), Shamar Joseph 36 (41), Kemar Roach 17* (42)
Pat Cummins 4-41 (17), Josh Hazlewood 4-44 (15), Nathan Lyon 1-36 (12.1)

2ND INNINGS: Australia 10-283 (81.1)
Travis Head 119 (134), Usman Khawaja 45 (111), Nathan Lyon 24 (34)
Shamar Joseph 5-94 (20), Justin Greaves 2-36 (15), Kemar Roach 2-48 (16.1)

Australia led by 95 runs.

3RD INNINGS: West Indies 6-73 (22.5)
Kirk McKenzie 26 (35), Justin Greaves 24 (37), Joshua Da Silva 17* (31)
Josh Hazlewood 4-18 (8), Nathan Lyon 1-4 (2.5), Cameron Green 1-9 (3)

West Indies trail by 22 runs with 4 wickets remaining.

SESSION BREAKDOWN:
1st Session: Australia 3-85 (27)
2nd Session: Australia 3-116 (27)
3rd Session: Australia 2-23 (6.1) | West Indies 6-73 (22.5)