Bridgetown: Another poor batting display from Australia’s top order has put the tourists in the firing line for a potential shock defeat as West Indies coach Darren Sammy accused match officials of bias against his side in a tense opening Test in Barbados.

On a day when the West Indies were bowled out for 190 in response to Australia’s first innings total of 180, Usman Khawaja was dismissed for 15 and his opening partner Sam Konstas removed for five on a dramatic afternoon at Kensington Oval.

Sam Konstas is bowled by West Indies’ Shamar Joseph on day two of the first cricket Test match at Kensington Stadium in Bridgetown, Barbados.

First drop Cam Green (15) and No.4 Josh Inglis (12) failed to impress once again Australia finished day two on 4-92, leading by 82 runs.

In the first match of a new World Test Championship cycle, Australia have been underwhelming to say the least and will now have to rally on day three to save the match against a valiant West Indies outfit who’ve won just three of their past 15 Tests.

However, Sammy couldn’t hide his displeasure after what he believed to be inconsistency across the board from the TV umpire in relation to LBW decisions and catches across the match.

“I just had a chat with the match referee (former Indian international Javagal Srinath) … just trying to find some sort of understanding as to what the process is,” Sammy said. “We only hope for consistency.

“I have noticed especially with this particular umpire [TV umpire Adrian Holdstock]. It has been something that started in England. It’s frustrating. It seems like we come up on the sharp end of the stick all the time.

“I don’t know what he’s seen, but from the images that we’ve seen, the decisions are not fair enough for both teams. It’s 2025 and you’re supposed to have more correct decisions.”

Mitchell Starc, who was the best of the Australian bowlers with three wickets, added: “There’s been some interesting ones. Obviously, a couple more have gone against the West Indies than us. It looked like the Snicko and the images were out of sync to some capacity.”

Green survived an LBW decision late in the day, with Holdstock believing there was an inside edge.

Earlier in the day, West Indies captain Roston Chase was given out LBW to Pat Cummins when he was adamant there was an inside edge.

With the match on the line and most Australian fans sleeping - aside from those in the stands drinking beer and rum - Konstas began his sixth Test innings nervously. He was dropped twice in three balls on zero – from the eighth and 10th delivery of his innings off the bowling of Shamar Joseph – by West Indies slips fielders John Campbell and Justin Greaves.

The 19-year-old could barely believe his luck as Khawaja walked down the pitch to try to calm the youngster’s nerves. At one point, Konstas charged down the pitch, but didn’t get bat on ball as the home side’s opening bowlers Jayden Seales and Joseph charged in.

Khawaja, who made 47 runs in the first innings, perished in the ninth over after an inswinger from Alzarri Joseph trapped the left-hander in front.

At 3.28pm local time (5.28am AEST), Konstas’ scratchy innings came to an end as he inside edged Joseph back onto his stumps for five runs off 38 balls. It was the second time in the match Joseph has taken Konstas’ wicket after removing the teenager for three on day one.

Australia’s Beau Webster celebrates taking the wicket of West Indies’ Shai Hope on day two.

Konstas’ father and brother watched on from the Greenidge and Haynes Stand.

From six Test innings, Konstas now has 121 runs at an average of 20.16 and it has been mostly downhill since his exhilarating debut on Boxing Day against India.

Inglis could only manage 17 runs across both innings when he was bowled by Seales, while Green got an outside edge to first slip in another disappointing outing from a player Australia believe can be their long-term No.3.

The West Indies have certainly given themselves a fighting chance of recording back-to-back Test wins over Australia for the first time since 1999 after managing a narrow first innings lead.

After starting the day at 4-57 in response to Australia’s moderate total of 180, the West Indies were bowled out for 190 after 63.2 overs.

Australia’s Usman Khawaja is dismissed LBW by Alzarri Joseph.

When West Indies No.4 Brandon King (26) was bowled by Josh Hazlewood, the home side were 5-72 and looked like giving up a first innings advantage.

That was until captain Roston Chase (44) and wicketkeeper Shai Hope (48) put on 67 runs for the sixth wicket with a nice mix of solid defence and flashy shots to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Alex Carey took a spectacular catch off Beau Webster to remove Hope, but there was some debate over whether the ball had carried.

Alzarri Joseph clubbed a massive six to bring up the West Indies’ first innings lead, much to the delight of a local crowd hoping to see their side claim a victory over Australia in the Caribbean for the first time since 2003.

Travis Head (13) and Beau Webster (19) were able to add 27 runs together late in the afternoon but it was another day that belonged to the locals in a series that has certainly come to life thanks to some wonderful fast bowling West Indian greats of the game would be proud to see.

“It’s obviously been an interesting wicket with some bare patches and grassy patches,” Starc said. “It’s not been easy to bat. You never know what total is going to be enough.”