Half-centuries by Smith and Green put Australia back in charge in Grenada

ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada (AP) — Half-centuries by Steve Smith and Cameron Green turned Australia's situation against the West Indies from delicate to controlling on day three Saturday of the second test.

Australia, 1-0 up in the three-test series, was back in charge after recovering its second innings from 12-2 at the start of the day to 221-7 at stumps and a decent lead of 254 runs.

With the pitch playing tricks, often shooting low, Australia was beginning to like its chances of setting a target that was beyond the West Indies' reach.

“We are in a nice spot,” Smith said. “I don't think the wicket is going to get any better, will probably do a few more tricks. The new ball is going to be pretty crucial for us. Hopefully, we can get (the lead) up to somewhere around 300.”

Australia generally labored to score 209 runs in 58.3 overs around three delays for showers that added up to nearly two hours of play lost. When stumps were called because of bad light, Alex Carey was on 26 off 27 balls with captain Pat Cummins on 4.

But they were on top.

Smith joined Green after nightwatchman Nathan Lyon held out for nine overs to reach 8.

The first ball Smith faced from Alzarri Joseph smashed his right glove. Inside the glove was the pinkie finger he dislocated in the World Test Championship final last month and which sidelined him from the first test in Barbados.

“It was not ideal (getting hit on the finger) but it feels all right,” Smith said. “It is that kind of surface. Some can shoot up, you might have to take a few on the hands.”

Green resumed the day on 6 and soon passed his highest score at No. 3 in the order, 15. After lunch, his fifth boundary earned him 50 off 122 balls.

But the next ball he was out when he edged Shamar Joseph onto his stumps. Green finished on 52 and ended a 93-run partnership with Smith.

Smith's sixth boundary brought up his 50 in 79 balls.

He and Travis Head got Australia to tea and a lead of 208.

But soon after, Smith was trapped by Justin Greaves. Smith reviewed but it showed the ball hitting his pad in front of off stump. His 71 off 119 balls included seven boundaries and a six flogged off Roston Chase over long-off.

Greaves also got Beau Webster for 2 but Head and Carey gave the total a 31-run surge before Head's off stump was bowled by Shamar Joseph on 39.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Australia's Cameron Green celebrates scoring a half-century against West Indies on day three of the second cricket Test match at the National Cricket Stadium in St. George's, Grenada, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Australia's Steve Smith plays a shot against West Indies on day three of the second cricket Test match at the National Cricket Stadium in St. George's, Grenada, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

West Indies' Shamar Joseph celebrates taking the wicket of Australia's Travis Head on day three of the second cricket Test match at the National Cricket Stadium in St. George's, Grenada, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Australia's Alex Carey plays a shot against West Indies on day three of the second cricket Test match at the National Cricket Stadium in St. George's, Grenada, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A gas cylinder explosion early Sunday after a wedding reception at a home in Pakistan’s capital killed at least eight people, including the bride and groom, police and officials said.

The blast occurred as guests who had gathered to celebrate the couple were sleeping at the house, causing part of the house to collapse, according to the Islamabad police. Seven people were injured.

In a statement, police said the explosion occurred in a residential area in the heart of the city. A government administrator, Sahibzada Yousaf, said authorities were alerted about the blast early Sunday and officers are still investigating. He said some nearby homes were also damaged.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the victims’ families, according to a statement from his office. He directed health authorities to ensure the injured receive the best possible treatment and ordered a full investigation.

Many Pakistani households rely on liquefied petroleum gas cylinders because of low natural gas pressure, and such cylinders have been linked to deadly accidents caused by gas leaks. Police said investigations were ongoing.

Government officials survey the damage of a home caused by a gas cylinder explosion hours after a wedding reception, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ehsan Shahzad)