Windies squared series in an exciting Test Match
Windies restored their supporters’ pride with a stunning win over Australia in one of the finest test matches in history. Incredibly so, but a star was borne as newcomer Guyanese’s Sharmar Joseph took seven wickets for 68 in an inspirational bowling performance in the second innings.
This was also the first time that the Australian team had been defeated in a day-night match.
This result ends West Indies’ two-decade Test drought, where they had not won a Test in Australia since 1997. This was accomplished with an inexperienced squad of seven uncapped players and five players who played in the two Tests last summer
Day four at the Gabba started with Australia at 60 for 2, needing a further 156 runs away from completing a series win, and the Windies requiring eight wickets to go home with a famous victory. Australia appeared to be cruising towards the target 113 for 2 until Joseph turned the match on its Head with the wickets of Cameron Green and Travis Head in consecutive balls. He dismissed Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey as Australia lost 4 for 23 and was still 80 runs short of victory.
There had been grave doubts over whether Joseph could bowl after he was struck on the toe by an inswinging delivery by Starc late on day three that forced him to retire hurt.
Smith started aggressively late on day three and focused on picking off the bowling for singles. But Green was anchored to the crease and intent on survival as Barbadian Kemar Roach and Antiguan Alzarri Joseph bowled on a dangerous length outside off stump. Smith looked comfortable until being squared up by a menacing delivery from Alzarri Joseph that flew through the vacant third slip to bring up the 50-run partnership.
Windies needed a spark, and Shamar Joseph made an immediate impact when he came into the attack by producing a thick edge from Green that flew over the slips. Green started to settle until Joseph produced a rearing delivery that hit his back elbow and fell onto the stumps. On the next delivery, he delivered a scintillating yorker that clean-bowled Head and stunned Australia.
It completed a king pair for Head, who suffered his third golden duck in his last six innings. Joseph could not complete a hat-trick but soon had Marsh edging to second slip and clean bowled Alex Carey with another gem of a yorker. Joseph claimed his second five-wicket haul in as many matches by dismissing Mitchell Starc, who had briefly counterattacked, just before dinner as he sunk to his knees with tears of joy.
Play was extended by 20 minutes after Barbadian captain Braithwaite sensed a result, with Joseph pushing through the pain barrier and exhaustion to nick off Pat Cummins, but he could not get through Smith and Lyon. He was not to be denied as he finished with one last epic celebration to wrap up an astonishing debut series. He bowled Josh Hazlewood when Australia needed nine runs to win.
Windies Captain Kraigg Brathwaite: “We won a Test match in Australia. It does a lot for West Indies cricket. It means a lot. It’s been several years since we’ve won a Test match here. But my message to the group is that this is the beginning. It’s amazing we enjoy this, but this has to continue. I’m extremely proud. I must say we had two words that inspired us in this Test match, Mr. Rodney Hogg said that we were ‘pathetic and hopeless’. That was our inspiration. We wanted to show the world we’re not pathetic.
Shamar Joseph: “Shout out to my teammates for their support. I wasn’t even going to come to the ground today. But the doctor did something to my toe. I don’t know what he did. But it worked. I just stuck to the basics. Stuck to the top of off. I feel like we win the entire Series by winning this Test. Shout out to my teammates for their support. I cried for my five-wicket haul, but I’m so happy now. I’m not even tired. I would have kept bowling.”
“No matter where it goes, this has been a tremendous test match”. Saya Brian Lara: “Congratulations to every team member. It’s an occasion that makes test cricket special.”
Wicketkeeper-batsman Trinidadian Joshua Da Silva commented before the start of the Series. “West Indies hopes to use the two Tests against hosts and world champions Australia to restore pride in their tattered brand. They certainly have
WEST INDIES: 311 and 93 – AUSTRALIA 289 FOR 9d and 207. West Indies won by 8 runs
