Overview:
The Dukes ball will be used here. Batters will hope to negotiate the new ball well and settle in. As the match progresses, the surface will wither down.
West Indies and Australia face each other in the 3rd and Test of the three-match Test series from July 13 onward in Jamaica. Australia are coming to this contest after thrashing West Indies in the 1st and 2nd Tests, respectively. A win here will help Australia blank WI in this 3-match series, which is a part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.
Notably, this is a Day/Night Test and will feature the pink ball.
WI, who started under a new leader in Roston Chase after Kraigg Brathwaite stepped down, have been abysmal in both the 1st and 2nd Tests. Notably, it’s their batting which has hurt the cause. West Indies head coach Darren Sammy blamed the pitches in his nation for batting woes. Sammy said, ”It’s hard to produce the quality of batters that we want to compete.” “When you look at the surfaces that we play on, it’s hard,” he conceded.
WI may be tempted to drop Kraigg Brathwaite, who owns scores worth 4, 4, 0 and 7 across the 4 innings.
For Australia, they are likely to go in with a settled side which won the 2nd Test. The match will mark Mitchell Starc’s 100th appearance in Tests for Australia. He is also closing in on 400 Test wickets.
Here is a look at the squads of the two teams.
West Indies squad
Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), Kevlon Anderson, Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Mikyle Louis, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales.
Australia squad
Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.
In terms of the head-to-head record, Australia and the West Indies have met 122 times. West Indies have claimed 33 wins, with the Aussies winning 63 times. 1 game was tied, with another 25 being drawn.
On Windies soil, across 52 matches, the hosts have 14 wins to Australia’s 23. Another 15 games have been drawn.
Australia will come into this contest in Jamaica as the favourites. They have all the resources, and there is plenty of experience riding. For the Windies, they would have to field and bat well if they are to cause an upset.
Ahead of the 3rd Test, we look at the pitch report and key insights.
Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica, Location & Key Details of the Stadium
The 3rd WI vs AUS Test match will be played at Sabina Park, Kingston, in Jamaica.
The stadium can host around 20000 spectators. Ahead of the 2007 World Cup, the stadium underwent a renovation. In 1930, the stadium hosted its first Test when the MCC visited here for the 4th and final Test.
A total of 55 Test matches have been played here. And the West Indies have won 25 of these games (L16 D14). This is Australia’s 12th clash at this venue (W5 D3 L3).
What is the Pitch Like at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica?
The pitch here will be on the slower side. Batters will look forward to the surface and try to score runs on the board. Pacers are likely to get some seam movement along with a swing with the new ball. The Dukes ball will be used here. Batters will hope to negotiate the new ball well and settle in. As the match progresses, the surface will wither down.
The new ball will be key since it’s a Day/Night affair. Starc, who owns 74 wickets with the pink ball, will test the Windies.
Key Stats & Records at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
England hold the highest team total here at this venue, posting 849 versus WI in 1930. WI’s highest score here is 790/3d against Pakistan in 1958. It’s also the 2nd-highest score overall. Australia’s best score here is 758/8d versus WI in 1955. This is the 3rd-best score here.
West Indies’ lowest score here is 47 versus England in 2004. Australia’s lowest total here is 160 in 1984.
As per ESPNcricinfo, the average run rate for teams batting first at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica, is 2.87 from 55 games. Teams batting first have won 19 times in addition to losing 22. Meanwhile, 14 games have been drawn.
Meanwhile, the average run rate for teams batting 2nd here is 2.89.
Among active cricketers, Kraigg Brathwaite owns 397 runs here at 24.81 with the help of 1 ton and 1 fifty.
Among active bowlers in the Windies side for the series, Jayden Seales owns a total of 16 scalps at 14.93.
Pacers have enjoyed more success here, with the top 10 wicket-takers all pacers. Courtney Walsh owns the most wickets here (48).
WI vs AUS: Weather Forecast – Will Rain Play a Role?
As per the weather update, the forecast for the WI vs AUS game will see clear skies and warm weather on Day 1. Day 2 could be cloudy with some partial rainfall and thunderstorms. There will be sun on Day 3 with clear skies. Day 4 will have rain, and the weather will be cloudy. Day 5 will be partly cloudy and warm.
WI vs AUS: Pitch Advantage for Which Side?
Australia will start the contest with an edge over the West Indies. Australia have a better bowling unit with their three-man main pace attack holding key. For Windies, they have a decent look, but it will take work to stop the fancied Aussies.
With the Dukes ball, both teams’ pacers will enjoy bowling. However, WI’s inexperienced batting is a weakness.
FAQs – Pitch Report for Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
What is the pitch report for Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica, for today’s match?
Pitch will be on the slower side. However, the new Dukes pink ball will have pacers talking. There will be seam and swing with the new ball.
Who has the better record at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica?
A total of 55 Test matches have been played here. And the West Indies have won 25 of these games (L16 D14). This is Australia’s 12th clash at this venue (W5 D3 L3).