Australian captain Pat Cummins led the early charge, and Josh Hazlewood dismantled the West Indies middle order, bundling out the visitors in just over two sessions at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday.
Steve Smith’s Opening Woes
Steve Smith’s first appearance as a test opener didn’t go as planned, but Australia remained in control of the series opener against the West Indies after restricting the visitors to 188.
Home captain Pat Cummins took early wickets, and Josh Hazlewood further capitalized on breaking down the West Indies middle order, wrapping up their innings quickly.
Number three batter Kirk McKenzie (50) and debutant Shamar Joseph (36) provided some resistance, but the West Indies struggled against Australia’s high-quality fast bowling.
Joseph made an impactful debut by dismissing Smith for 12 with the first ball of his test career and later removed Marnus Labuschagne. However, Australia finished day one at 59-2 and looks poised to establish a substantial lead when play resumes on Thursday.
Joseph became the 23rd player to take a wicket with his first test delivery.
Opener Usman Khawaja, benefiting from an early escape, was unbeaten on 30, while Cameron Green, filling the number four slot left by Smith, was on six.
“Their tail wagged, and it was a bit of work with the last-wicket stand, but as a bowling group, it was fantastic,” Hazlewood commented afterward.
“The wicket was an interesting one, not much pace and bounce. Hopefully, a couple of boys can walk in and bat the day,” he added regarding their approach for Thursday.
West Indies Struggle and Counter-Attack
West Indies, with a depleted squad, faced a formidable challenge in the two-match series Down Under, where they haven’t won a test since 1997. Australia, the world champions, quickly took control of the contest.
Cummins (4-41) opted to field after winning the toss and removed both openers early, setting the tone for Australia. West Indies went to lunch at 64-3, and Hazlewood (4-44) claimed his 250th test wicket.
McKenzie, in his second test, resisted, but West Indies stumbled to 133-9, losing six wickets for 35 runs, putting them at risk of a collapse within two sessions.
However, Joseph, one of the three West Indies players making their test debut, counter-attacked and added 55 runs with Kemar Roach (17 not out), in the most substantial partnership of the visitors’ innings.
Challenges and Opportunities in the Upcoming Days
When Australia came out to bat, Khawaja got a lifeline when he edged Alzarri Joseph, but the wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva dropped a straightforward catch.
Smith, replacing the retired David Warner at the top, wasn’t as fortunate. He edged Shamar Joseph’s first delivery to third slip, and debutant Justin Greaves made no mistake, taking a low, sharp catch.
West Indies are missing their top all-rounders, Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers, who opted to play in lucrative Twenty20 leagues.
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