On Friday, Australia bowled out West Indies for 120 runs in the 13th over, leaving the home team with a target of just 26 runs for victory.
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Josh Hazelwood’s Fury:
Josh Hazelwood took his 11th wicket in Test matches, helping Australia secure a convincing 10-wicket win over West Indies before lunch on the third day of the first Test.
Steve Smith (11) and Usman Khawaja (9) easily chased down the target for Australia. However, after suffering a head injury, Khawaja retired hurt, and Australia needed just one run to win. Marnus Labuschagne completed the victory with two balls remaining.
At the start of the day, Josh Hazelwood’s score was already impressive at 4-18, as he played a crucial role in bundling West Indies for 73-6 in their second innings before stumps on the second day. In response to West Indies’ 188 runs, Australia had established a lead of 95 runs after scoring 283 in their first innings.
Corridor of uncertainty! Josh Hazlewood is the master of it!#PlayOfTheDay | @nrmainsurance | #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/F30DhhQTbK
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 19, 2024
Josh Hazelwood, reflecting on his performance, said, “Taking wickets in a group like that feels good. I felt like I bowled well throughout the game, without much reward before the first innings of the summer. Playing with this team on a regular basis feels great, and the wickets were excellent.
Career-best figures of 9-79 for Josh Hazlewood, who is making up for lost time after a couple of injury-plagued summers #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/YfpPk64jlR
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 19, 2024
There is always pressure.”
Australia’s captain Pat Cummins praised Josh Hazelwood, saying, “It was a wicket where you always felt like something would happen, and even when someone was scoring, you were still in the game.”
Cummins added, “The big man (Hazlewood) really set it up for us this week. We had a good lead but not a huge one, and he really took the game away in one spell.”
The beginning of the day posed a big question:
could West Indies force Australia to bat again? When Mitchell Starc dismissed Joshua Da Silva (18) and Alzarri Joseph (16), and Josh Hazelwood bowled out Kyle Mayers (3), West Indies were struggling at 94-9. It seemed impossible for them to avoid the follow-on, requiring just one run to survive.
Half-hearted shot and out!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 19, 2024
Starc with another #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/BXXGJhN9Es
After adding 55 runs for the last wicket in the first innings, Shamarh Brooks and Kemar Roach displayed a brief rearguard action, adding 26 runs for the last wicket. Brooks had already been a star in the match with his 36 runs in the first innings and taking 5-94 in Australia’s first innings.
Before getting out, Brooks hit three boundaries on Friday, adding a little extra to West Indies’ lead. West Indies captain Craig Brathwaite said of Shamarh Brooks, “He is full of energy and always makes me laugh,” how happy he was with him.
He has a lot of talent, a lot of skill, and can make some runs too.”
Brathwaite further commented, “I believe our bowlers executed exceptionally well in restricting Australia to a total of under 300 runs.” We clearly didn’t bat well in both innings. Our top order didn’t perform.”
The second and final Test between the teams will commence in Brisbane on January 25, featuring a day-night match at the Gabba.
Josh Hazelwood, Joseph showcased their skills in Adelaide:
In the prestigious Adelaide Oval, West Indies started their first innings and managed to score only 188 runs, with Kirk McKenzie scoring a half-century. Joseph, batting at number 11, contributed 36 runs, but his standout moment came when he dismissed Smith caught at the second slip on his very first ball in Test cricket.
With his quick deliveries, the right-arm fast bowler created a stir, taking five wickets in his first innings of Test cricket. However, Travis Head’s counter-attacking century helped Australia avoid the danger, as they posted 283 runs in their first innings.
Experienced Josh Hazelwood turned aggressive in the second innings, taking five wickets and delivering his career-best performance by grabbing 9 wickets in the match, conceding only 79 runs.
