Australia’s pace battery proved too strong for the West Indies as the hosts crumbled to a dismal 141 all out in their second innings to hand the visitors a commanding 159-run victory in the first Test at Kensington Oval — with two full days to spare.
Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was the standout performer, claiming 5-43 in a devastating spell of fast bowling that shattered the West Indies’ hopes of chasing a challenging target of 301 on a deteriorating, two-paced surface.
The West Indies chase got off to the worst possible start when opener Kraigg Brathwaite fell to Mitchell Starc in the very first over. Hazlewood then took centre stage, removing John Campbell and debutant Brandon King off successive deliveries before sending back skipper Roston Chase and Keacy Carty.
“There are a few cracks there on a good length and just short of a length which kept the batters guessing,” Hazlewood told reporters after the match. “It was just about hitting the right areas time and time again and being patient.”
Australia’s dominance with the ball was backed up by solid contributions with the bat earlier in the day. Resuming at 136-4, the visitors built on their overnight advantage thanks to half-centuries from Travis Head (61), Beau Webster (63), and wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who top-scored with 65.
Head and Webster added 102 runs for the fifth wicket before Head was trapped lbw by an inspired Shamar Joseph just before lunch. Carey then shepherded the lower order with a brisk 65 to take Australia to a commanding 310 in their second innings.
Joseph was again the pick of the bowlers for the home side, finishing with 5-87 and an impressive match haul of 9-133. However, his efforts were let down by a lacklustre West Indies slip cordon, which dropped as many as seven catches across the match — including a crucial chance off Head when he was on 22.
The poor fielding compounded the hosts’ struggles on a surface offering uneven bounce and variable pace, as Australia pressed the accelerator with aggressive strokeplay after lunch, scoring at nearly a run-a-minute despite losing wickets regularly.
Set a stiff target, the West Indies never looked in contention. Only Shai Hope (30) and Justin Greaves (38 not out) offered any resistance. A late flurry from Shamar Joseph, who smashed 44 off just 22 deliveries, provided brief entertainment but was ultimately in vain.
Spinner Nathan Lyon wrapped up the innings by removing Joseph and Jayden Seales in quick succession. A direct-hit run out from substitute fielder Marnus Labuschagne further added to the hosts’ woes.
Pat Cummins, who chipped in with the key wicket of Hope, praised his team’s all-round effort: “We adapted well to the conditions and stuck to our plans. It was a complete performance.”
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