Home / Cricket / West Indies vs Australia 3rd Test Match Preview – July 13, 2025

West Indies vs Australia 3rd Test Match Preview – July 13, 2025

 🌴 West Indies vs Australia 3rd Test Match Preview – July 13, 2025

🔥 Pink Ball Showdown Under the Lights in Jamaica

Venue: Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
Time: 10:00 AM Local / 8:00 PM IST / 10:30 AM EST (Day-Night Test)
Format: Test Match – Pink Ball (Dukes)
Series: 3rd Test – Australia lead 2-0 in the 3-match Frank Worrell Trophy 2025

🏆 Match Importance

This final Test between West Indies and Australia carries more significance than just a series closer. While Australia has already clinched the Frank Worrell Trophy with a 2-0 lead, all eyes are on two major storylines:

  1. Mitchell Starc’s 100th Test appearance – a monumental achievement for the left-arm speedster.

  2. First ever Day-Night Test in the Caribbean, making this match historically unique.

Despite being a dead rubber in terms of series outcome, this game holds high emotional and experimental value for both teams.

🔙 Series Recap

  • 1st Test (Trinidad): Australia won by 123 runs

  • 2nd Test (Guyana): Australia won by 8 wickets

Australia have dominated with superior pace bowling, structured batting, and clinical fielding, while the West Indies have shown glimpses of promise but failed to string together consistent performances, especially in their second innings batting.

🌌 Historic Moment: Floodlights at Sabina Park

This Test is historic for West Indies cricket as Sabina Park has finally installed permanent floodlights, making this the first pink-ball day-night Test match ever hosted in the Caribbean.

The move was politically motivated as well — done ahead of Jamaican general elections — but it gives Windies cricket a much-needed push into modern Test match hosting standards.

“The pink ball moves more, swings longer and offers seam. This changes everything.” — Pat Cummins, Australia Captain

Australia have played multiple pink-ball Tests at home, but this will be their first overseas, adding a unique challenge even for the experienced unit.

🧢 Australia Squad & Key Players

✅ Confirmed Line-up (likely XI):

  1. Usman Khawaja

  2. Marnus Labuschagne

  3. Steve Smith

  4. Travis Head

  5. Alex Carey (wk)

  6. Cameron Green

  7. Pat Cummins (c)

  8. Mitchell Starc

  9. Josh Hazlewood

  10. Nathan Lyon or Scott Boland

  11. Todd Murphy

🔥 Key Focus: Mitchell Starc

  • 100th Test match

  • 395 wickets so far – just 5 away from 400

  • Second Australian pacer to play 100 Tests after Glenn McGrath

“It’s a privilege to wear the Baggy Green 100 times.” – Mitchell Starc

⚡ Bowling Firepower:

  • Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood form the most feared pace trio

  • Nathan Lyon is just two wickets shy of overtaking Glenn McGrath’s 563 wickets

  • Todd Murphy may be included for variation with spin if the pitch dries out




🌴 West Indies Squad & Key Players

🧢 Probable XI:

  1. Kraigg Brathwaite (c)

  2. Tagenarine Chanderpaul

  3. Alick Athanaze

  4. Kavem Hodge

  5. Joshua Da Silva (wk)

  6. Jason Holder

  7. Shamar Joseph

  8. Alzarri Joseph

  9. Gudakesh Motie

  10. Kemar Roach

  11. Jomel Warrican

🚨 Areas of Concern:

  • Windies have collapsed in second innings in both Tests, showing poor temperament under pressure

  • Total of only 284 runs scored across two second innings combined

🌟 Player to Watch: Shamar Joseph

  • Fast and furious, the youngster impressed in Australia’s last tour

  • Will need to lead from the front with the pink ball


💡 Key Battle: Pink Ball vs Batting Line-ups

  • The pink Dukes ball swings more than red, especially under lights

  • Australia’s bowlers are better equipped technically and mentally

  • Windies batters may struggle if there’s early loss of wickets

🧠 Strategic Takeaways

For Australia:

  • Rotate the bowlers wisely to manage workload in heat and under lights

  • Focus on getting Starc to his 400th milestone while preparing for India tour

For West Indies:

  • Focus on batting time — build partnerships, especially in the first session

  • Use their local knowledge and crowd support to motivate a comeback

📊 Match Prediction

CategoryAustraliaWest Indies
Batting Depth✅ ✅ ✅✅ ✅
Pace Bowling✅ ✅ ✅✅ ✅
Pink Ball Experience✅ ✅ ✅ ✅✅
Form & Confidence✅ ✅ ✅ ✅❌

🔮 Prediction:
Australia likely to win and complete a 3-0 clean sweep, unless West Indies can put together a surprise pink-ball performance with the bat.
Still, the atmosphere, occasion, and historical setting make this Test worth watching!

📺 How to Watch

  • India: Star Sports / Disney+ Hotstar

  • Australia: Fox Cricket / Kayo Sports

  • West Indies & US: ESPN / ESPN+ / Flow Sports

  • UK: Sky Sports Cricket

  • Live Streaming: ESPNcricinfo, Cricket.com.au, WindiesCricket.com, SportFeverlive.blogspot.com

✍️ Final Thoughts

While the trophy has been decided, the West Indies vs Australia 3rd Test is far from meaningless. It’s a celebration of Test cricket under lights, a career milestone for Mitchell Starc, and a chance for West Indies to save face. The pink ball and Jamaica’s passionate fans promise a dramatic finale to this exciting series.

Stay tuned to SportFeverLive for daily updates, live scores, and post-match reactions!

West Indies vs Australia 3rd Test Match Preview – July 13, 2025 West Indies vs Australia 3rd Test Match Preview – July 13, 2025 Reviewed by Mahshuvo on July 12, 2025 Rating: 5