Australia Win 1st Test : Hazlewood’s Heroics Seal Massive Victory
Australia registered a thumping win in the 1st Test against West Indies, clinching victory by a mammoth margin of 159 runs at Kensington Oval, Barbados. The match, which ended within three days, was dominated from start to finish by the Australians, thanks to their world-class pace attack and disciplined batting. Spearheading the charge was fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who delivered a match-winning performance with figures of 5 for 43 in the second innings. His devastating spell ensured Australia went 1-0 up in the three-match Frank Worrell Trophy series. Australia Win 1st Test
West Indies Fold for 141 in Final Innings
Chasing a daunting 311 for victory, West Indies faltered badly, collapsing for just 141 in 33.4 overs. Their downfall began in the very first over, when veteran opener Kraigg Brathwaite was cleaned up by Mitchell Starc. From that moment on, the West Indies never looked in control. Hazlewood took over the proceedings shortly after, exploiting the unpredictable Barbados pitch with pinpoint accuracy. Australia Win 1st Test
Hazlewood struck in his first spell, removing John Campbell and debutant Brandon King off consecutive deliveries. He went on to dismiss Roston Chase and Keacy Carty to break the spine of the middle order, and later returned to take the wicket of Jomel Warrican, completing a brilliant five-wicket haul. His ability to maintain a perfect line and length on a tough surface made all the difference, with uneven bounce and widening cracks playing into his strengths. Australia Win 1st Test
Australian Batting Stands Tall Under Pressure
Australia’s second innings total of 310 was the defining point of the match. From a shaky 65 for 4 at one stage, the visitors showed grit and character to turn the game around. The recovery was led by a gutsy 102-run partnership between Travis Head (61) and Beau Webster (63), which laid the foundation for a commanding score.
Alex Carey then played a crucial role in taking Australia to a match-winning position. His attacking 65-run knock helped push the total past the 300-mark. It was a complete team effort, highlighting the depth in Australia’s batting lineup, even in testing conditions. Australia Win 1st Test
Shamar Joseph Shines Amidst West Indies Woes
Despite the loss, young pacer Shamar Joseph emerged as a rare bright spot for the hosts. He was outstanding with the ball, claiming 5 for 87 in the second innings and finishing with match figures of 9 for 133. His pace, energy, and aggression impressed many, and he even entertained fans with the bat, smashing a quickfire 44 off just 22 balls in the final innings. While the knock couldn’t change the outcome, it did inject brief excitement into an otherwise one-sided contest. Australia Win 1st Test
West Indies, however, struggled collectively with the bat. Apart from Justin Greaves, who remained unbeaten on 38, none of the batters showed the temperament needed to tackle Australia’s relentless attack. Shai Hope, who top-scored in the first innings, was undone by a low, skidding delivery from Pat Cummins. Their collapse was compounded by a brilliant piece of fielding from Marnus Labuschagne, who executed a direct-hit run-out to send Alzarri Joseph packing. Nathan Lyon then cleaned up the tail in the same over, dismissing Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales with consecutive balls to seal the victory. Australia Win 1st Test
Fielding Blunders Cost West Indies Dearly
One of the most disappointing aspects of West Indies’ performance was their sloppy fielding. Over the course of the match, they dropped seven catches—four of them on Day 1 alone. These missed opportunities allowed Australian batters to escape early trouble and forge critical partnerships. Such lapses not only demoralized the team but also shifted momentum firmly in Australia’s favor. Australia Win 1st Test
Australia Take Early Lead in Frank Worrell Trophy
With this dominant win, Australia go 1-0 up in the three-match series and take a strong step toward retaining the Frank Worrell Trophy. The victory was a result of cohesive team performance—clinical bowling led by Hazlewood, composed middle-order batting, and sharp fielding, all of which stood in stark contrast to the West Indies’ inconsistent display. Australia Win 1st Test
Looking ahead, the West Indies will have to regroup quickly, particularly addressing their fragile top order and shoddy slip catching. Australia, on the other hand, will look to carry forward this winning momentum into the second Test and seal the series. Australia Win 1st Test
Match Summary:
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Australia: 1st Innings – 242 | 2nd Innings – 310
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West Indies: 1st Innings – 260 | 2nd Innings – 141
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Result: Australia won by 159 runs
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Player of the Match: Josh Hazlewood (5/43 in 2nd innings)
This victory not only sets the tone for the rest of the series but also reiterates Australia’s supremacy in Test cricket, especially when their pace unit fires in unison.
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