3rd Test Preview: West Indies vs Australia at Sabina Park (12–16 July 2025)

The series heads to the final showdown at Sabina Park, Kingston, and both teams aim to make it count. Australia took the lead for yet another crucial Test in unfamiliar day-night conditions, while West Indies chase their first home Test win since 2015.

Squads & Key Changes

West Indies (captain: Roston Chase) stick with their winning combo from Grenada; expect:

• Pacers: Jayden Seales (form: 5/60 & 5/87 in first Test), Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph
   
• Spinners: Jomel Warrican, supported by Roston Chase’s off-spin for variety
   
• Batsmen: Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (wk)
   

Australia bring back Steve Smith, fit after his finger injury, replacing Josh Inglis . The full XI:

• Pat Cummins (c), Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Matthew Kuhnemann
   

Pitch & Conditions

Sabina Park—a venue known for pace and bounce—is hosting its first-ever pink-ball day-night Test for this series.

• Expect bounce and variable bounce due to a fresh surface and short boundaries
   
• Pacers advantage: around 65% of wickets fall to seamers, with cooler night air aiding movement 
   
• Dukes ball adaptation: Travis Head stressed prep with Dukes; Australia anticipate seam help in early sessions
   

Form & Storylines

• In Barbados, Starc (3 wickets) and Seales (5-wicket haul) exploited pitch quirks with seam-bounce
   
• Australia’s middle order floundered early, but Smith’s return should stabilize
   
• West Indies’ bowling depth, led by Seales, offers hope for a breakthrough in Jamaican conditions
   

Match Predictions

Element	Outlook
Toss	Bat first likely—dew predictable late evening
1st Innings Lead	Australia, backed by Smith’s experience
Middle Overs	West Indies pacers could disrupt with bounce, but Lyon & Hazlewood hold advantage
Weather Interruptions	Minor, with short showers possible later in week
Final Result	Australia to clinch series 2–1, but West Indies may battle hard

Australia, favored at ~78% according to predictive models, remains strong—but West Indies might steal a session or two, especially under lights.

Key Battles to Watch

• Smith vs Seales/Joseph: Veteran technique vs potent pace
   
• Head/Khawaja vs bounce: How well they adapt to jumpy conditions
   
• Cummins & Starc vs local attack: Depth test for home seamers
   
• Chase’s captaincy: Will he gamble on declarations and second innings timing?
   

Fan Viewing Tips

• Expect the first session from 1:30 PM AST local, running into night hours
   
• Live streaming: FanCode (India), Kayo/Foxtel (Aus), ESPN Caribbean/Disney+ (WI), tapmad (Pak), Willow TV (NAm), TNT Sports (UK)
   
• Highlights & replays: Kayo’ Replay, FanCode’s VOD, ESPN’s telecast recaps
   

Final Take

Prepare for a high-octane finale: Australia aims for their first-ever day-night Test win abroad to wrap up the series, while West Indies fight to end their home Test drought. With pitch liveliness, fresh pink-ball tactics, and high pressure, expect a thrilling clash under the Sabina Park lights.