AUS vs WI 1st Test Day 1 Highlights: Australia 180 All Out as Shamar Joseph Takes Five; Windies End Day at 57/4 Under Pressure

Australia were bowled out for just 180, but their experienced pace attack struck back strongly in the final session of Day 1. On the opening day of the Frank Worrell Trophy, Shamar Joseph once again showed his class, following up on his memorable Gabba performance by tearing through Australia’s top order as wickets kept falling in Barbados.

At stumps on Day 1 of the first Test at Kensington Oval, West Indies were 57 for 4. Earlier in the day, they had bowled out the world’s top-ranked Test team for 180 after Pat Cummins chose to bat first. This match also marks Australia’s return to the Caribbean for a Test series after nearly ten years.

WI Top Order Crumbles Against Australia’s Pace, Starc Strikes Earl

West Indies had made big changes to their playing XI for the new World Test Championship cycle, but their top order struggled against Australia’s quality pace attack. Mitchell Starc, with the new Dukes ball, was especially dangerous. The left-arm quick dismissed both openers Kraigg Brathwaite for 4 and John Campbell for 7. As the day came to a close, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood also got a wicket each, leaving the hosts in a tough spot.

New West Indies captain Roston Chase remained unbeaten at stumps, alongside debutant Brandon King, who was on 23 not out. King, known for his T20 skills, recovered well after an early mistake in the field and got off to a quick start in his Test career, scoring at a run-a-ball pace. However, the loss of four wickets including nightwatchman Jomel Warrican for a duck took some shine off what had been a strong day for their bowlers. In total, 14 wickets fell on Day 1, the most on the opening day of a Test at Kensington Oval since 2011.

Shamar Joseph Reignites Gabba Fire with Fiery Spell in Barbados

In case any of the Australians had forgotten Shamar Joseph’s incredible seven-wicket haul at the Gabba last year, he gave them a sharp reminder. The fiery pacer had Australia struggling at 3 for 22 after they chose to bat first. Joseph struck early with two wickets and came back in the second session to cause more trouble, finishing with 4 for 46 from 16 overs.

Jayden Seales backed him up brilliantly, taking 5 for 60. He cleaned up the lower order, grabbing four of the last five wickets. Despite making changes to their batting line-up for the start of the new World Test Championship cycle, Australia’s struggles with the bat continued.

Missing key batters Marnus Labuschagne (left out) and Steve Smith (injured), Australia’s top order was exposed early. Shamar Joseph took full advantage, dismissing Sam Konstas (3) and Cameron Green (3) in a fiery opening spell. It was Australia’s third different opener in as many Tests, but Joseph showed no mercy. He trapped Konstas lbw with a sharp delivery that came back in, thanks to a smart review by skipper Roston Chase. Just two balls later, he nearly had another, but Brandon King dropped a simple catch in the gully.

Joseph could have removed all of Australia's top three within the first hour if not for poor fielding. Green was given a lifeline off just his second ball, and Usman Khawaja was dropped at slip by Chase when he was on six. Debutant Brandon King had a tough time in the field, putting down three catches one each for Khawaja (on 45), Lyon (on 2), and the earlier chance in the gully. Despite the missed chances, Joseph’s opening burst set the tone for a dominant West Indies performance.

Justin Greaves made up for the earlier dropped catch by safely grabbing a low chance at second slip, giving Shamar Joseph his second wicket. Joseph had found the edge as Cameron Green pushed forward, trying to defend a dismissal style that mirrored his two failures in the WTC final against South Africa. Soon after, Jayden Seales joined in, striking from the Joel Garner End. He dismissed Australia’s new No.4, Josh Inglis, who mistimed a pull shot and sent the ball high in the air. Despite early setbacks and sloppy fielding, Usman Khawaja started to steady the innings adding 41 crucial runs with Travis Head.

Head and Khawaja Steady Australia Before Lunch with Positive Strokeplay

Travis Head brought some much-needed spark to the innings, hitting his first boundary with a classy cover drive off Seales in the 16th over. That shot seemed to lift the energy, even for Usman Khawaja, who followed it up by launching Alzarri Joseph for a six over square leg. The two looked solid, adding 43 quick runs in the second hour and taking Australia safely to lunch without further trouble. But the momentum shifted again after the break when Shamar Joseph came back into the attack. Head had just reached his 19th Test fifty, scored off 57 balls, when Joseph finally got rid of Khawaja for 47 a well-earned wicket after the opener had survived a dropped catch in the gully and a close call where the ball almost rolled back onto his stumps.

Shamar Joseph continued his dream run against Australia making it a clean sweep of their top three when he got Usman Khawaja to top-edge a short ball straight to wicketkeeper Shai Hope. He then delivered a beauty that knocked off Beau Webster’s off stump, sending him back for 11. That took Joseph’s tally to 17 wickets at an impressive average of 15.94 in just five innings against Australia a run that includes five wickets on debut in Adelaide and his unforgettable 7-68 on one leg at the Gabba helped West Indies secure their first Test win over Australia in more than 20 years.

Cummins Late Cameo Sparks Brief Fightback with 28 off 18 Balls

Travis Head had a bit of luck himself, surviving a close call when TV umpire Adrian Holdstock ruled that there was no clear proof that his under-edge off Joseph carried to Shai Hope behind the stumps. However, it didn’t cost West Indies much. Jayden Seales and Justin Greaves struck on either side of the tea break to remove South Australians Alex Carey and Head. Carey edged Seales to slip, where Chase held on and made up for his earlier drop of Khawaja. Greaves then dismissed Head was caught behind trying to slash a wide delivery.

Pat Cummins chipped in with a quickfire 28 off just 18 balls including a classy six over cover giving Australia a brief spark. But Seales had the final say, sending Cummins on his way and wrapping up the innings by taking four of the last five wickets. He finished with figures of 5 for 60 his third five-wicket haul in Test cricket capping off a strong bowling effort from the hosts.

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