Hodge and Da Silva Rescue Windies After Early Pace Blitz on Day 1 in Brisbane

On the first day of the second and final Test, Australia's formidable pace three combined for five wickets to send the West Indies reeling. However, a brave century combination between Joshua Da Silva and Kavem Hodge steadied the ship at the Gabba.

After frustrating the hosts for 52 overs, the two skillfully navigated the challenging twilight phase of the day-night pink-ball match, amassing 149 runs before Da Silva was out lbw to Nathan Lyon for 79. The Windies scored 266/8 at stumps on Thursday.

With the pink ball, speedster Mitchell Starc swung his way to 4/68, making him the best bowler in Australia.

Australia won the first Test match in Adelaide by a margin of 10 wickets, and they now lead the two-Test series 1-0.

Kraigg Brathwaite, the visiting captain, was on the wrong end of two reviews to begin the day, so there was no relief when he outswinged a soft ball from Josh Hazlewood to goalkeeper Alex Carey.

A humorous situation also occurred with the afternoon's first wicket, when Hazlewood (2/32) sent Australia's Cameron Green, an all-rounder, out instead of the batsman. Green, along with coach Andrew McDonald, were escorted away from the festivities after testing positive for Covid-19.

Starc and skipper Pat Cummins (1/70) quickly put the slips to use, tricking Kirk McKenzie and Tagenarine Chanderpaul into false shots, both of whom were out for 21.After Alick Athanaze was caught behind for eight, Starc claimed his 350th Test wicket. He also found the outside edge of Justin Greaves (6), putting the Windies at a precarious 64-5 at the end of the first session.

Hodge and Da Silva bounced back spectacularly to bat into the third session, causing the hosts frustration as they easily countered Lyon's off-spin and ducked anything short.

In the 71st over, Hodge, on 59, flashed Starc past a diving Green at gully, but the opportunity went begging. But Da Silva's departure quickly brought about the breakthrough.

Following the taking of the second new ball, Hodge was caught by Starc for 71 at second slip.

Alzarri Joseph made a fun 32 off 22 balls, but Hazlewood squared him up in the last over, leaving Kevin Sinclair, making his debut, undefeated on 16 overnight.