Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph inhaled their lives at the pace of Western India with a mixing nine bag between them, because Australia was leanked on the first day of the opening test in Kensington.
Mitchell Starc, Captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood shared four goals to pull Australia back into the competition and reduce West India to 57 for 4 on the stumps – still ending by 123 runs – and left the match gently.
Seales ended up with 5 for 60, his third five goals in the tests – all of them at home – while Joseph claimed 4 for 46 in a performance that caused memories of the veiled tradition of Western India.
“This one was quite strange,” Seales said. “Playing against Australia and getting five on the first day was special. The plan with the new ball was fuller and on the stumps. Shamar was special today. He passed the highest order and made it easier for us to others.”
Australia, missing Steve Smith by injuries and after the launch of Marnus Labuschagne, built the regroup the highest order that he fought from the beginning. LBW Joseph for 3 and Cameron Green fell on the same thing when he was dropped. Josh Inglis, who covers Smith on No. 4, the highest harmful withdrawal of Seales to give Wicketkeeper Shai Hope the first of his four catches.
Usman Khawaja (47) and Travis Head (59) scored 89 for the fourth goal – the only significant partnership of the shift – before Joseph returned to remove Khawaja just before he could reach his half a century. From there, Australia folded and lost 7 for 69.
The head, which survived the disputed review for a low catch, was finally released after the tea was captured by Justin Greaves. Pat cummins made 28 to move the score of around 170, but Seales packed the shifts below 57 by crossing.
Australia 180 was their lowest total in the Caribbean after the first tab and their lowest in the region since 1995 in Trinidad.
West Indies sensed the opening, but the Australian pace of attack quickly hit. Mitchell Starc removed both openers – Kraigg Brathwaite got into the second slip at 4 and John Campbell was on the other who was formed. Cummins had Keacy Carty captured for 20 and Josh Hazlewood Bowled Nightwatchman Jomel Warrican on Duck.
The debutant Brandon King, who had a hard day in the field with three drops, remained 23.
The surface, dry and cracked, offered movement and bounced throughout the day. Ten of the 14 goals scored on the edges and emphasized how testing the dough conditions.
The day reflected the Australian collapse against South Africa in the recent final of the World Testing Championship, when Lord’s Day also scored 14 goals. There will be concerns in the visiting camp – especially with the order of batting with a new look – but their pitching ensured that they stayed in the fight.
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Published:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
June 26, 2025
