Pacer Shamar Joseph continued his dream debut, but a seventh Test century from left-hander Travis Head and another batting collapse triggered by Josh Hazlewood, put West Indies on the brink of a chastening defeat in the first Test against hosts and world champions Australia on Thursday.
Joseph etched his name on history’s pages when he grabbed five for 94 from 20 overs, and the Caribbean side defied an enterprising 119 from Head to bowl out the Australians for 283 in the first hour after tea on the second day and concede a first innings lead of 95.
However, West Indies’ joy was soon short-lived when fast bowler Josh Hazlewood removed their first four batsman in a destructive opening spell to send them plummeting to 73 for six in their second innings at the close, still 22 adrift of forcing Australia to bat again.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua Da Silva was not out on 17 and was left to bat with the bowlers on the third day to try to salvage a bit of pride after Justin Greaves, another newcomer in the side, was lbw for 24 off the penultimate ball of the day from off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
Hazlewood finished the day with four for 18 from eight overs, and West Indies head coach Andre Coley became the latest in his position to try to put into words what unfolded in the final hour-and-a-half before stumps were drawn for the day at the iconic Adelaide Oval.
“I think the challenge has pretty much been the consistency of the bowlers, obviously a wealth of experience in that Australian bowling attack, so their ability to stay patient, and there were times our batters played quite well,” Coley said.
West Indies endured an early setback when left-handed opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul was caught behind off Hazlewood for a first-ball duck before captain Kraigg Brathwaite was caught at short square leg in the pacer’s second over for one.
The Caribbean side were seven for three when left-hander Alick Athanaze was caught behind off Hazlewood for a duck in the pacer’s third over, the ball after Australia unsuccessfully reviewed for a nick behind.
West Indies then plunged to 19 for four when debutant Kavem Hodge was caught at second slip in Hazlewood’s fifth over, with the possibility of a two-day defeat starting to raise its ugly head.
Left-hander Kirk McKenzie, whose 26 has been the top score so far, and Greaves stemmed the fall of wickets for a brief period and the threat of Hazlewood abated with beanpole all-rounder Cameron Green replacing him.
Perhaps thinking this was his get-out-of-jail free card, McKenzie tried an expansive drive and was caught at short cover, and West Indies slid to 40 for five before the late dismissal of Greaves after a period of resistance with Da Silva.
Earlier, Joseph struck in his first over – the second of the day – when he got Green caught behind for 14 after Australia continued from their overnight total of 59 for two.
West Indies had the Australians on 67 for three, but Head proved again he has become the man for all seasons for the home team, bringing up his hundred with a scorching cover drive off left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie for his 12th four.
West Indies vice-captain and strike bowler Alzarri Joseph brought his fun to an end when he got him caught at deep square leg, but the damage he had wrought in the little more than three hours at the crease had already been done, and Australia had seized command.
Greaves got his maiden Test wicket when left-handed opener Usman Khawaja was caught at second slip for 45 after he added only 15 to his overnight score, and he then held a smart catch at third slip to send Mitchell Marsh packing for five off Kemar Roach as Australia reached lunch on 144 for five.
After the interval, West Indies kept taking wickets, but they were unable to restrict the Australian scoring, especially with Head in full flow.
Greaves got wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey caught behind for 15 and ended with two for 36 from 15 overs, but a stand of 54 between Head and Mitchell Starc drained the Caribbean side and energised the Aussies.
Newcomer Joseph returned and got Starc caught at short leg for 10 and bowled Nathan Lyon for 24 either side of Head falling to the other Joseph before Roach brought the innings to a close when he bowled Australia captain Pat Cummins for 12 to finish with two for 48 from 16.1 overs.
(CMC)
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