AUS vs WI: Mitchell Starc ends Tagenarine Chanderpaul's vigil with brilliant direct-hit

The third day of the ongoing second Test between Australia and the West Indies got off to a ballistic start thanks to Mitchell Starc's brilliance in the field. The left-arm pacer reacted swiftly to end Tagenarine Chanderpaul's vigil in the very first over of the day with a terrific direct hit of his own bowling.

The visiting Caribbean outfit were in a spot of bother in their first innings after losing four wickets before reaching the 100-run mark. However, the visitors showed promise of a fightback as long as the prodigious opening batter Tagenarine Chanderpaul defied the Aussie bowlers at the crease. But their hopes were dashed after Mitchell Starc sent the southpaw packing with a brilliant piece of fielding. 

Chanderpaul defended a delivery from Starc in the first over of the day and took off for a non-existent run, providing the Australian quick with an opportunity, which he accepted gleefully. The left-arm pacer picked the ball and unleashed a ferocious throw at the stumps, finding the batter inches short at the crease despite his despairing dive. The southpaw fell short of a deserved half-century by just three runs.

Pin point! 🎯

Mitchell Starc not messing around in the first over of the day! #PlayOfTheDay #AUSvWI | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/IYPm3TUmFK

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 10, 2022

Australia assert their dominance with the ball on the third day

The visitors were under severe pressure after Australia's mammoth score of 511 runs in the first innings thanks to glittering tons from Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head. The hosts included Scott Boland and Michael Neser in the starting eleven after injury concerns to frontline bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. Despite the absence of their two bowling stalwarts, Australia made light work of the Windies' batting order, dismissing them for a lowly score of 214.

With almost two days of play still remaining in the game, the visitors are staring down another detrimental defeat at the hands of the relentless Aussies.