New Delhi: Australia defeated West Indies by 159 runs in the first Test at the Kensington Oval on Saturday, June 28. The expectations were high from the home team as they started the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle with a strong performance, but those hopes disappeared on day three as the Windies slumped to a crushing defeat.
Despite some sensational bowling performances from the Caribbean pacers, their batters failed to make big contributions with the bat. Shamar Joseph was the highest run-scorer for the hosts, amassing 44 runs off 22 balls with the help of four boundaries and maximums.
Australia post daunting target
On a two-paced pitch, the Aussies posted a 301-run target for the West Indies. The visitors got off to a poor start in the second innings as Shamar and Alzarri dismissed openers Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja cheaply. Jayden Seals removed Josh Inglis on 12 runs, while Cameron Green’s poor form continues in the longest format as he was removed by Justin Greaves on 15 runs.
Travis Head forged a match-winning 102-run partnership with Beau Webster and completed his second fifty. Webster also batted well and scored his half-century. Alex Carey also played a great knock, scoring 65 runs off 75 balls. Shamar picked up his third five-wicket haul in Test cricket while Joseph also took two wickets in the second innings.
West Indies bowled out for 141
The hosts needed a good start to set the tone in the run-chase, but the Australian pacers bowled great lines to trouble the Windies batters. Mitchell Starc removed Brathwaite early in the innings, but Keacy Carty and John Campbell stitched a 43-run partnership for the second wicket.
Hazlewood removed both batters, which opened the gates for the visitors as Brandon King (0), Roston Chase (2), and Shai Hope (2) failed to score runs. Greaves and Shamar added 55 runs for the ninth wicket, but the result was already decided by that time. Josh Hazlewood picked up his 13th five-wicket haul in Test cricket while Nathan Lyon also took two wickets. The victory put Australia 1-0 up in the three-match series.