ADELAIDE: Shamar Joseph had a sensational opening day in Test cricket, helping the West Indies stay in touch with Australia at Adelaide Oval after Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins virtually shredded their first innings.
Shamar Joseph became the 23rd player to strike with his first ball in Test cricket after hitting 36 from No. 11 in a final-wicket stand of 55 to raise the visitors from 133 for 9, catching new opener Steven Smith in the slips. Smith made a handful of powerful pulls in his first innings as an opener before becoming a little cricket legend.
Also read: Allen’s record ton seals the series for New Zealand
But Shamar Joseph’s day wasn’t over yet. He added Marnus Labuschagne to his tally, top-edging a hook to long leg, and was a fan favorite by the end of the game. Things could have gone even better for West Indies if wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva hadn’t dropped Usman Khawaja on 3 in Alzarri Joseph’s opening ball.
Khawaja and Cameron Green, recalled at No. 4, made it through the final half-hour of the day. Australia remained in control after limiting the West Indies to a low score after putting them in to bat, but it was not the dominant position that appeared expected midway through the day when Hazlewood ripped through the middle order, claiming his 250th Test wicket.
