Bridgetown, June 26(HS): The West Indies restricted Australia to just 180 runs on the first day of the first Test on Thursday (according to Indian time), but they realized the challenge of the Kensington Oval pitch when they lost 4 wickets by the end of the day. By stumps, West Indies had scored 57/4, with debutant Brandon King remaining unbeaten on 23 runs. However, it was a mixed day for King, as he dropped three catches in the field but tried to stabilize during his batting innings. Shamar Joseph and Seales’ deadly bowling Shamar Joseph was the most impressive bowler for the West Indies, taking 4 wickets for 46 runs. Meanwhile, Jayden Seales took 5 wickets for 60 runs, marking his third five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Interestingly, of his 34 Test wickets, 17 have been Australian batsmen. The Australian team was bowled out in just 56.1 overs in their first innings — the lowest score by Australia when batting first on West Indian soil.
Australian batsmen’s flop show Only three Australian batsmen crossed the double-digit mark — Travis Head (59), Usman Khawaja (47), and captain Pat Cummins (28). After winning the toss, Pat Cummins chose to bat first, but the pitch provided tremendous assistance to fast bowlers — seam, swing, and at times the ball kept low. Out of the total 14 wickets that fell on the day, 10 were due to catches. Australia lost 3 wickets in the first hour itself. Sam Constable, who replaced Marnus Labuschagne, was out lbw for just 3 runs off Joseph’s delivery. Joseph then dismissed Cameron Green, who was caught in slip by King after being given a lifeline by a chance in gully.
Khawaja and Head’s partnership provided some support Khawaja and Head together steadied the innings with a partnership of 89 runs after lunch. Head reached his half-century off 57 balls, but Khawaja was out for 47 runs off 128 balls. At one point, Joseph took 4 wickets in 12 overs, shaking up the Australian side. Shai Hope’s Test comeback Wicketkeeper Shai Hope, returning to Test cricket after four years, took four catches, opening his account by catching Josh Inglis. West Indies had a shaky start as well In response, West Indies also started poorly. Mitchell Starc dismissed captain Kraigg Brathwaite (4) and John Campbell (7). Cummins sent Keacy Carty (20) back to the pavilion, while Josh Hazlewood dismissed nightwatchman Jomel Warrican for a duck. After that, captain Roston Chase and Brandon King played the final 3.1 overs without losing any wickets. Chase is unbeaten on 1 run.
Current score: Australia first innings: 180 all out (Travis Head 59, Khawaja 47; Seales 5/60, Joseph 4/46) West Indies first innings: 57/4 (Brandon King 23*, Chase 1*; Starc 2/15)
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
