Shamar Joseph led a strong West Indies bowling attack on the first morning of the opening Test against Australia (aus vs wi). The match held at Kensington Oval in Barbados saw the visitors reduced to 65 for 3 at lunch on Day 1.
This was Joseph’s first match against Australia since his heroic performance in Brisbane 17 months ago. In that game he bowled West Indies to a historic victory their first Test win in Australia in 27 years.
In Barbados the fast bowler made an immediate impact. He dismissed Sam Konstas and Cameron Green in quick succession. He also created a chance to remove Usman Khawaja but captain Roston Chase dropped the catch at first slip when Khawaja was on just six.
Khawaja survived that moment and battled through tough conditions. At the lunch break he was unbeaten on 32 partnered by Travis Head who remained on 21. Together they added an important 43 runs for the fourth wicket on aus vs wi 1st Test day one.
Australia had chosen to bat first after winning the toss. Captain Pat Cummins may have soon regretted the decision as Shamar Joseph bowled with pace and accuracy. He trapped Konstas leg-before in just his second over.
Joseph nearly struck again right away. He found Green’s edge but debutant Brandon King dropped a simple chance at gully. However, that mistake didn’t cost much. A few overs later Green edged one low to Justin Greaves at second slip and was dismissed for just three.
Jayden Seales then joined the action. He got Josh Inglis to mistime a pull shot sending the ball high into the air. Wicketkeeper Shai Hope took the easy catch leaving Australia struggling at 22 for 3.
From there Khawaja and Head steadied the innings. They handled short-pitched deliveries from Seales and Alzarri Joseph well. One standout moment came when Khawaja pulled Seales for six over midwicket into the stands.
Interestingly this aus vs wi was the first time since 2018 that Australia played a Test without either Steve Smith or Marnus Labuschagne. The early breakthroughs by West Indies pacers have already raised questions about Australia’s batting depth especially with the next Ashes series just five months away.
