Lunch West Indies 64 for 5 (Hodge 3*, Starc 3-11) vs Australia

Starc claimed three scalps while Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins picked up one apiece as West Indies top order failed to adjust to the extra bounce again with five of the top six all nicking deliveries they possibly could have left.

Kraigg Brathwaite was the first to fall, lured into a half-hearted drive by Hazlewood who found the edge with a ball that just swung away a touch.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kirk McKenzie then steadied with both players looking in good touch. Chanderpaul unfurled two cut shots and a sweet on-drive while McKenzie launched Nathan Lyon for six over long-on and thrashed Cummins through cover. But his aggression brought about his downfall as he nicked to slip trying to cut Cummins off the front foot.

Starc returned to bag three in quick succession before the break. Chanderpaul needlessly tried to defend a ball well wide of his off stump and some extra bounce found the outside edge with Steven Smith pouching the catch at second slip.

Australia stuck with their winning formula despite some COVID-19 infections running through the camp. Allrounder Cameron Green and coach Andrew McDonald both tested positive yesterday after Travis Head had tested positive earlier the week. Head has since tested negative. Green had to stand away from his teammates during the anthems and while they celebrated the wickets, but fielded at gully throughout the first session. Khawaja was also declared fit to play having recovered from a blow to the head late in the Adelaide Test and took two good catches at first slip.