
Cummins' brilliant catch gives Australia early impetus
When opener Kraigg Brathwaite fell without scoring off the 11th ball of the day, caught and bowled by Josh Hazlewood, it was just the tonic the tourists needed.
And when Keacy Carty was dismissed by Pat Cummins, also caught and bowled, for six in the ninth over, it seemed the Aussie attack was about to inflict serious damage.
It was a magnificent moment for the Australia captain, the ball hanging in the air for a seeming eternity before it began to fall to where a bat pad would have been.
Cummins made ground in his follow through and timed his dive perfectly to complete the catch.
It got even better when John Campbell, the other opener, was sent back to the pavilion, caught by Mitchell Starc off Beau Webster after a brisk 40 that included five boundaries.
Left-hander Campbell tried to loft over the leg side but could only lob the ball high into the air and straight down the throat of Starc at mid-on.
West Indies stood on a fragile-looking 3-64.
But then the home side steadied, losing no more wickets before reaching lunch on 3-110 from 28 overs. Brandon King (39) and Roston Chase (16) steadied the West Indies with a 46-run fourth-wicket stand.
It is a pivotal match for the Australians, who have set their sights on a victory that would give them an unassailable 2-0 series advantage.
They spent the entire first day compiling a first-innings of 286 after Cummins won the toss and inserted his side.
Webster and Alex Carey contributed half centuries but Australia were constrained by Alzarri Joseph's 4-61.

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ABC News
30 minutes ago
- ABC News
Smith's captaincy cameo and a pooch on the pitch — five quick hits from second West Indies Test
Australia's bowlers have taken matters into their own hands, Steve Smith has made a clutch call and a furry friend has invaded the outfield. Here are five quick hits from the second day of the second Test in Grenada. There is always a physical burden that goes with being a Test bowler, but Australia's attack has shouldered a particularly heavy load as the batters have struggled in recent times. At the start of day two, after their 14th first-innings score under 300 from the past two and a half years, it was once again on the bowlers to try and get the team back on top. And they really took it completely on themselves, with Josh Hazlewood completing a sharp return catch off the 11th ball of the innings to get rid of Kraigg Brathwaite for a duck in his 100th Test before Pat Cummins went even better in his first over with a superb diving one-hander to remove Keacy Carty. Steve Smith had a compound dislocation of his finger less than three weeks ago, but still took his place in the second Test in the Caribbean. He was wisely not allowed to field in the slips to the seamers, which was how he injured his right pinky in the World Test Championship final, but he was still going to be called upon. It didn't take long for the finger to be tested out as he was forced to chase a ball to the rope in the fourth over on day two, saving a boundary and hurling the ball back into the middle. Immediately he winced and withdrew his hand, doing so repeatedly throughout the day almost every time he had to use that hampered right wing, but the real challenge will be batting. Smith's batting innings only lasted six balls in the first dig, but being such a bottom-hand batter, it will take a mighty effort to push through the pain barrier. For much of the opening session, West Indies opener John Campbell did not look like a player with a Test match average of 25.50. He pulled Hazlewood for six and smashed Starc straight back past him as he made his way to a domineering 40 from 52 deliveries. And after seeing off spells from both of the Australian opening bowlers, he looked to up the ante even further against the medium pace of Beau Webster. But attempting to smash the all-rounder to the leg-side fence, Campbell miscued one horribly, falling straight down the throat of Mitchell Starc at mid-on. It was an ugly end to an innings of such promise and a conclusion all too familiar for West Indies fans. Campbell has made it to 20 on 21 occasions over the course of his 22-match Test career. Only thrice has he got to 50. Professional sports are no strangers to animal invaders and we got a good one on day two in Grenada. With Josh Hazlewood at the top of his mark in the 33rd over, a smallish black dog appeared in the outfield behind the bowler. There was no great urgency from any officials at the ground, with Pat Cummins jogging over from mid-on to calmly usher the pooch off the park and towards the stands to allow play to continue. Often a break in play can ruin a batter's rhythm, but that wasn't the case for Brandon King, who stood up and pulled Josh Hazlewood for a massive six only seconds after the curious canine exited the outfield. A key attribute of a good Test match captain is knowing when to send a decision upstairs. With only three incorrect decisions allowed per innings, the DRS can make or break a game. So, when Alex Carey thought he had Brandon King caught behind off the bowling of Nathan Lyon, a massive call had to be made. But who was going to make it? With captain Cummins momentarily off the field, the appealing Australians turned to his second-in-command Steve Smith, who made the executive decision to have it looked at more closely. It proved to be a masterstroke, with ultraedge providing enough evidence to send King back to the pavilion for 75.

News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
The Last Say: Tips, inside mail, market movers and the latest track conditions for today's racing
Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr have ambitions of a feature-race treble across three states on Saturday. At Rosehill Gardens, their classy import Welwal ($8) looks ready to win in the Listed $200,000 Winter Stakes (1400m). Then on Finals Day at Flemington, the Price-Kent stable has promising three-year-old filly Knobelas ($2.25 favourite) chasing a hat-trick of in the Silver Bowl Series Final (1600m) and two-year-old Job Done ($3.10) trying to maintain the perfect start to his race career in the TAB Next Generation Sprinters Final (1200m). Price and Kent also have chances in two of the stakes races at the Sunshine Coast – Grand Impact ($16) in the Listed $300,000 Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) and Hezashocka ($13) in the Listed $300,000 Caloundra Cup (2400m). Meanwhile, there has been some significant betting moves for Ciaron Maher 's boom filly She's An Artist ($1.60 favourite) for the Listed $175,000 Creswick Stakes (1400m) at Flemington, her stablemate Warnie ($2.90 favourite) for the Glasshouse Handicap at Sunshine Coast, and also at Rosehill Gardens for the Joe Pride -trained Cosmonova ($15) for the Foundation Female Member Handicap (1200m). She's An Artist, brilliant winner of her only two starts, opened at $1.80 but is into $1.60 after some big bets with Ladbrokes including $1000 at $1.80 twice, $2000 twice, $1000 4 times, $700 and $650 at $1.75, $1500 and $1300 three times at $1.70 and $1300 at $1.55. Warnie opened at $3.20 but has firmed into $2.80 to win the Glasshouse while Cosmonova's odds have been slashed at Rosehill from $26 to $15 as she attempts to protect her unbeaten record when third-up from a spell. â– â– â– â– â– TRACK CONDITIONS ROSEHILL GARDENS Weather: Cool, mostly sunny day and a forecast top temperature of 17c. Track: Heavy (8). Rail: 8m out from the 1000m to the winning post, 7m remainder. FLEMINGTON Weather: Cool, partly cloudy day with a forecast top temperature of 16c. Track: Soft (6). Rail: True. SUNSHINE COAST Weather: Mild, partly cloudy day with a forecast top temperature of 22c. Track: Soft (6). Rail: True. GAWLER Weather: Cool, cloudy day with the chance of showers and a forecast top temperature of 16c. Track: Soft (7). Rail: True. "He told me straight up I had cancer" Dr Bernie Spilsbury has helped countless jockeys and trainers and been there for racing's magic and most tragic moments in 40 years as the Sunshine Coast Turf Club doctor. Story: @bendorries76 ðŸ'‡ — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) July 3, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– BE WARY Rosehill's track rating continues to improve and is bordering on a soft 7 after being a heavy 10 earlier in the week. The rail is out 8m from the 1000m to the winning post and it is expected jockeys will try to steer away from the inside. Flemington's rail is in the true position and the track rated a soft 6 with the chance of an upgrade. The track should race fairly. Sunshine Coast's soft 6 rating is likely to improve further but it is expected the better going will be away from the inside in the straight. 🚨TAB Track Report 🚨 The latest on the track at Rosehill Gardens ahead of Member Appreciation Day. @racing_nsw | @tabcomau | @SkyRacingAU | @7horseracing â›…ï¸� Weather Tracker: 🎟ï¸�Tickets: — Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) July 3, 2025 • â– â– â– â– â– ROSEHILL GARDENS TIPS BEST BET: Race 3 No.6 EXIT FEE was heavily backed into favouritism first-up in a Randwick Highway and he ran well without threatening for a half length second to the speedy Calico Miss. He had never previously won at the start of a campaign so his Randwick effort suggests he's in for a good winter preparation. Exit Fee will strip fitter for that run and goes back to Rosehill where he won a Highway over 1300m when last in work. Drawn to get the run of the race, he's won second-up previously, handles soft tracks and is ready to win. The first two races at Rosehill go to @ZacLloydx with Exit Fee winning the TAB Highway for @GoulburnTrainer! ðŸ'° @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 22, 2025 THE NEXT BEST: Race 10 No.5 KERGUELEN did not miss a top two finish in his first six starts, winning three, before going sharply in grade when he ran fourth at favourite to Accredited at Randwick last start. The Godolphin sprinter looked to have every chance but still stuck to his task and was beaten just over a length. Kerguelen is back in his right grade and is drawn to get the run of the race. That was impressive! ðŸ'� Kerguelen gets his second win at start three for @godolphin ðŸ'µ Easy as you like for @zaclloydx — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 10, 2024 VALUE BET: Race 8 No.13 COSMONOVA has shaped promisingly in two runs from a spell including her closing third to stablemate Accredited at Randwick two weeks ago. The Joe Pride-trained Cosmonova returns to Rosehill where she has won over the 1200m course and although drawn a little wide, she should be able to slide across and settle in the front half of the field with cover. Cosmonova is at her peak after recent racing, she is unbeaten in two previous attempts third-up from a spell, and the soft track conditions are perfect for her. She's terrific value around $15. Cosmonova gets the head down in time to win Race 3 at Rosehill for @PrideRacing in a thrilling photo finish! ðŸ'¸ — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 3, 2024 THE WHISPER: Race 1 No.1 RAGING FORCE has been brilliant in both starts this winter campaign, romping home in the Red Crown at Muswellbrook then dominating from the front at Kensington. Talented two-year-old who is being readied for the spring carnival. If he is to take on the best of his age group next season, he should be able to put this field away. There's plenty of market confidence in the Peter Snowden-trained gelding who has firmed from $2.60 into $1.90. That's a big win at Randwick to Raging Force, who makes it two wins in a row! ðŸ'° @TommyBerry21 @SnowdenRacing1 @aus_turf_club @Darby_Racing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 25, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– FLEMINGTON TIPS BEST BET: Race 6 No.5 SHE'S AN ARTIST has been a runaway winner at her only two starts – scoring by five lengths on debut at Bendigo then careering away from her rivals over the Flemington 1100m course last start. She ran 1m 02.66s to win last start and broke 33s for her final 600m. Punters are rallying for She's An Artist with Ladbrokes reporting a string of big bets including $1000 at $1.80 twice, $2000 twice, $1000 4 times, $700 and $650 at $1.75, $1500 and $1300 three times at $1.70 and $1300 at $1.55. She's An Artist looks a real talent and will maintain her unbeaten record. She's An Artist shares a resemblance to a certain sprinter & she might share some of that ability... ðŸ'©â€�🎨 The bald-faced filly trounces her opposition under hands & heals. @CWilliamsJockey @cmaherracing — (@Racing) June 21, 2025 NEXT BEST: Race 4 No.9 KNOBELAS ran on for a close second on debut at Pakenham over 1400m then went out to 1600m and has impressed with successive wins at Pakenham and Sandown. She has led all the way and by margins of more than three lengths both times. This is her best test but Knobelas looks a very progressive filly. The one to beat. Knobelas continues to impress with a dominant second win in a row ðŸ'¥ @MickPriceRacing @jchilds47 — (@Racing) June 18, 2025 VALUE BET: Race 9 No.6 TERRESTAR may not win often but the Team Hawkes-trained mare has returned in good form with game seconds at Eagle Farm and Flemington. Although she hasn't won for 15 months, she has now been placed in her last five starts in succession. Terrestar finds herself in a winnable race and she is good value at near double figure odds. Terrestar bursts over the top in a tight finish 🤯 @HawkesRacing @JyeMcNeil — (@Racing) August 16, 2023 THE WHISPER: Race 8 No.10 OH TOO GOOD returned to her best form with a runaway win at Flemington in the Vobis Gold, putting a margin of more than three lengths on her chasing rivals led by Jimmy The Bear. The form has been franked with Jimmy The Bear winning easily last start. Oh Too Good is at her peak after three runs from a spell, she excels over the Flemington 1600m course, and just needs a touch of luck early from her awkward gate. Oh Too Good, aptly named ðŸ'¯ The ultra-talented mare comprehensively handles her opposition. @bennallen44 has two for the day. — (@Racing) June 7, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– TAB FIXED ODDS BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS ROSEHILL GARDENS Race 1: Raging Force $2.45-$2, Just Awesome $17-$11 Race 2: Zouripper $4.60-$3.10 Race 3: Exit Fee $3.60-$2.70, Powder Man $14-$9.50 Race 4: Lunaite $8-$5, Show 'Em Howl $26-$18 Race 5: Storm The Ramparts $3.30-$2.90, Deprivation $23-$11, Pokerjack $23-$13 Race 6: Let's Go Again $11-$7 Race 7: Sounds Unusual $11-$5.50 Race 8: Dollar Magic $11-$7, Cigar Flick $11-$8.50, Cosmonova $26-$15 Race 9: Thunderlips $6-$4.40, Whinchat $15-$4.80, Saltcoats $26-$16, Testator Silens $51-$23 Race 10: Kerguelen $3.50-$3.20, Sacred Rocks $6-$3.50, Brave One $4.40-$3.60 MARKET MOVERS: $15 TO $4.80 FEATURE RACE RUNNER @ClintonPayne reveals all the big betting moves for Saturday's races, including a runner that has been the subject of a concerted betting push ahead. ðŸ'‡ — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) July 4, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– LADBROKES BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS ROSEHILL GARDENS Race 1: Raging Force $2.60-$1.90 with a multitude of smaller bets all the way in with biggest $600 a $2.40, $400 twice and $360 at $2.25, $600 at $2.15, $600 a $2.10, $1000, $680 and $500 twice at $2.05, Horseshoe Hill $11-$9.50 with a bet of $230 at $11 Race 2: Zouripper $4.20-$2.90 with a $625 bet at $4.20 Race 3: Exit Fee $3.30-$2.60 after bets of $1000 at $2.75 and $1000 at $2.60, Let's Go Brandon $21-$16 with bets of $210 at $21, $375 at $21, $375 at $20 Race 4: Diddle Dumpling $9-$8 with a bet of $300 at $9, Sister Dane $18-$12, Amusing $10-$9 with a $222 at $10 Race 5: Storm The Ramparts $3.80-$2.90, Tarpaulin $3.30-$3, Pokerjack $31-$15 Race 6: Hi Dubai $6-$3.40, Queen Of The Mile $13-$8.50 after bets of $200 at $13 and $150 at $11, Let's Go Again $13-$6.50 after bets of $165 at $13, $125 at $8.75, Savagery Vibe $5-$4 with a $1000 wager at $5 Race 7: Seafall $14-$8.50 after a $155 bet at $14, Sounds Unusual $11-$6 including a $200 wager at $11, Gentleschi $9.50-$6 with a bets of $235 at $9.50), Good Banter $10-$6.50 with bets of $222 and $200 at $10 Race 8: Elouyou $11-$8 after bets of $150 at $10, $150 at $9, $160 at $9.50, Cigar Flick $10-$9 with a $200 bet at $10.50, $200 and $100 at $10, $200 at $9.50), World Alliance $7.50-$6 with bets of $300 at $6.25, $400 at $6, Memoria $18-$16 after a $120 bet at $18, Dollar Magic $12-$7 with a $180 at $12 Race 9: Welwal $500 at $7.50, Accredited $6.50-$5.50 after bets of $800 at $6.50, Phearson $51-$41, Whinchat $11-$5 with a $200 bet at $11, Astero $25-$23 after a bet of $120 w/p at $25/$6.50, Green Fly $11-$7 with bets of $200 at $11, $220 at $10, $100 at $10 three times Race 10: Kerguelen $3.30-$3.70-$3.30 with a bet of $500 at $3.60, Brave One $5.50-$3.50 with a bet of $445 at $5.50), Sacred Rocks $7.50-$3.20 after bets of $310 at $7.50, $620 at $4.20 ‘Another concussion would kill me’ @BlakeSpriggs realises he has won the biggest race of his life. It’s why he can accept his riding days are over … and with it, his chances of winning The Everest on Headwall this year. Story: @RayThomas_1 ðŸ'‡ — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) July 4, 2025 • Shayne O'Cass's race-by-race tips, analysis for Rosehill Gardens on Saturday FLEMINGTON Race 1: Bacash $2.70-$2.50 after bet of $1250 twice and $800 at $2.60, Job Done $900 twice and $600 at $3.20 Race 2: Bayou Music with bets of $250 twice at $8.50, Arcora $4.80-$4.60 after a bet of $400 at $4.85 Race 3: Marble Nine $3.50-$2.20 with a bet of $950 at $3.10, Thespian Waters $12-$11 with bets of $400 and $250 twice at $12, $670 at $11, Herecomesthestar with a bet of $125 at $17 Race 4: Knobelas $2.45-$2.10 after bets of $2500 at $2.40, $1480 at $2.35, Race 5: Virtuous Circle $7-$6 after bets of $200 at $7, $365 and $350 at $6.50, Goldenstatewarrior $6.50-$4.60 with bets of $1000/$2000 at $6.25/$2.10, $300 at $6, $200 at $5.50 Race 6: Madame Maserati $25-$20 with a bet of $200 at $2, She's An Artist $1.80-$1.60 with bets of $1000 at $1.80 twice, $2000 twice, $1000 4 times, $700 and $650 at $1.75, $1500 and $1300 three times at $1.70, $1300 at $1.55 plus numerous other bets for $70,000 invested Race 7: Nearco Frod $18-$13 with a bet of $117 at $18), Prochester $23-15, Vellasmachine $500 at $5.25, Champagne Jenni $17-$12 after bets of $150 and $125 at $17, $133 three times at $16, $285 at $15), Bearings $700 and $155 at $14 Race 8: Detonator Jack $500 w/p at $16.50/$4.40, Pounding $500 at $22.50, Oh Too Good $1500 and $930 at $3.15, $1000 at $3 eight times, Hughes $700 at $10, Magnaspin $61-$31 with a bet of $34 at $61 Race 9: Fire Of Etna $6.50-$5.50 with a bet of $365 at $6.50 A group of school mothers have turned into racing enthusiasts thanks to unbeaten filly She’s An Artist, the hot favourite for the Creswick Stakes at Flemington. @gilbertgardiner @cmaherracing @FlemingtonVRC — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) July 4, 2025 SUNSHINE COAST Race 1: Mr Verse $6.50-$5.50 with a bet of $800 at $6.50, Oceans Of Energy $34-$27, Eye Pea Oh $20-$13 Race 2: Casperova $2.80-$1.85 after bets of $1115 at $2.80, $800 at $2.70, Big Boy George $7.50-$6 with a bet of $300 at $7.50 Race 3: Certified Copy $3.90-$2.90 with a bet of $344 at $3.90, Pretty Dubious $7.50-$6.50 after bets of $585 a $7.50, $400 at $7, Prestar $5.50-$4 after bets of $500 at $5.75, $555 at $4.60, Formula Rossa $12-$9.50 with a bet of $250 w/p at $12/$3.50 Race 4: Cosmic Fire $725 at $7, $500 at $6.50 twice, $500 w/p at $6/$2.30, Gin And Tonic $9.50-$6 after bets of $235 at $9.50, $285 at $8, Overful $6-$4.40, Lead Me On $11-$6.50 Race 5: All That Pizazz $12-$8.50 with a bet of $300 w/p at $12/$3.10, Millane $350 at $9.75, Hardware Lane $18-$16, Economics $20-$9, Chakra Boy $10-$5 Race 6: Italian Riviera $23-$13, Mille De Lune $6-$4.60 after bets of $230 at $5.50, $250 at $5.15, Bollinger Miss $16-$11 Race 7: Warnie $3.20-$2.80 after a bet of $700 at $3, I Am Artie $18-$12, Fortunate Kiss $2300 at $19, Mississippi Prince $41-$21, Redford with bets of $100 at $20, $250 at $17, $133 at $17 Race 8: Nikau Spur $21-$16 after bets of $200 at $21, $250 at $18), Don Diego De Vega $7.50-$6.50 with bets of $500 at $7.50, $1000 at $7, $300 at $6.75, Half Yours $4.40-$3.60 with a bet of $750 at $3.70, Dillan $23-$19 with bets of $500 w/p at $22.50/$5.50, $200 at $19.50, $110 at $19 Race 9: The Drover $18-$8.50, Toesonthenose $18-$17, Tonneofgrit $31-$6, Deep Respect $4.80-$3.60 Tony and Maddy Sears have made a bold move with their top-line galloper Beau Dazzler, dropping him back 800m for the Winx Guineas on Saturday. @bendorries76 @MS_SearsRacing — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) July 4, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– INTERSTATE MAIL Sunshine Coast Race 2 No.7 CASPERNOVA Sunshine Coast Race 7 No.4 WARNIE Gawler Race 3 No.4 MARK OF THE MAN Gawler Race 5 No.9 SWYCHO RAY & SHAYNO: $71 roughie 'will run a big race' Shayne O’Cass thinks he’s found massive value in an import who’s been trialling ‘fantastic’, while Ray Thomas advises punters to look for the Exit. Get Ray and Shayno's tips for Rosehill on Saturday. ðŸ'‡ — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) July 4, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– PROVINCIAL MAIL Wyong Race 6 No.9 SAPLING 'He is up to that level': Trainer Robert Agnew believes Show ‘Em Howl has the ability to be a Country Championships contender but would be content if his lightly-raced talent won his way out of calculations for the series. Story: @MitchRWCohen ðŸ'‡ — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) July 4, 2025

Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘One of the greatest': Cummins screamer helps Australia take first innings lead over West Indies
St George's: Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins in the Caribbean. Cummins produced one of the all-time caught and bowled dismissals before taking a crucial partnership-breaking wicket to help Australia roll the West Indies for 253 and bank a 33-run first innings lead in Grenada. It was a sleepy start to day two of the second Test, with fewer Australian fans in attendance after a rain-affected opening day which saw the tourists bowled out for 286. Josh Hazlewood got the ball rolling for Australia on Friday, removing Kraigg Brathwaite for an eight-ball duck in the opener's 100th Test courtesy of a sharp return catch to the fast bowler's left side. About six overs later, Cummins trumped Hazlewood's effort with a stunning caught and bowled that will be played for years to come. Bowlers rarely take bat-pad catches because they never stand at short-leg. As a fast-bowling captain, Cummins would be the last person to field in that position, but somehow managed to take a remarkable bat-pad catch off his own bowling thanks to some brilliant athleticism and speed. West Indies No.3 Keacy Carty pushed forward and got a thick outside edge that ballooned in the air on the leg side.