West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite commended his bowlers while expressing disappointment in the team’s batting performance following their 10-wicket loss to Australia in the first Test at Adelaide on Friday.
Brathwaite praised the debutant Shamar Joseph for his remarkable impact in the match, emphasizing his potential in Test cricket. The West Indies resumed from an overnight score of 73-6 but struggled to provide a resilient batting display, eventually getting bowled out for 120. Notable contributions from Alzarri Joseph (16) and Shamar Joseph (15) gave Australia a lead, and the hosts swiftly reached their target, securing a convincing 10-wicket victory.
Despite restricting Australia within 300 runs, Brathwaite stressed the necessity for improved batting, stating, “Batters did not get going. It is about learning how to score and how to put away the bad ball.”
Win before lunch on the third day
Shamar Joseph, who took 5-94 in Australia’s first innings and contributed with scores of 36 and 15, received high praise from Brathwaite for his energy and humor, with the captain foreseeing a bright future for the young cricketer.
Australia secured the win before lunch on the third day, with Josh Hazelwood playing a pivotal role, achieving career-best match figures. Notably, Shamar Joseph, who dismissed Steven Smith with his first ball in Test cricket, continued to make his mark with a memorable bouncer that forced Khawaja to retire hurt.
His partnership with Kemar Roach also signaled potential changes in the batting order for Joseph in the future.
The second Test
The second Test, scheduled to begin in Brisbane on January 25 in a day-night format, promises another exciting encounter, with West Indies eager to bounce back, boosted by Shamar Joseph’s impactful debut.
Australia’s Josh Hazelwood emerged as the top bowler, following his four-wicket haul in the West Indies’ first innings with remarkable figures of 5-35 in the second innings, resulting in overall match figures of 9-79. Travis Head was named Player of the Match for his score of 119, which helped Australia establish a crucial 95-run lead in the first innings.
Final scores in the match: West Indies 188 and 120 vs. Australia 283 and 26-0.
