Elaborating on how difficult the conditions were for the batters, Smith added, “It definitely sped up after the break. Before the break, I think the balls were losing 16 Km off the wicket and after the break they were losing 5 Km.
“Certainly felt like the wicket sped up a bit, it was a bit skiddy, but there was still plenty in it. Still felt like there was seam all day. Quite a slow outfield, so think it’s a reasonable total.”
Smith also admitted that while the movement on the ball adds to the intensity of a pink-ball Test – making it more of a challenge for him as a batter.
“The pink ball, in general, is just a completely different game. Yeah, personally I find it quite tricky – picking the ball up at certain times of the day.
“And the way it behaves is completely different to the red one.
“People like the spectacle, but as a player, particularly as a batter, it’s very challenging. The games can change so quickly, which you probably don’t get so much with the red ball.”
The Windies will resume second day’s play with 16 runs on the board for the loss of a sole wicket.
Australia had gained an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test ICC World Test Championship series, and sit atop the WTC standings in the new cycle.
