WI Bowlers Make Merry Under Lights on Day 1 of Historic Pink-Ball Test vs Australia
The historic pink-ball Test between West Indies and Australia at Sabina Park, Kingston witnessed high drama under lights, as WI bowlers made merry on Day 1, bundling out the visitors for 225. What started as a steady innings for Australia turned into a dramatic collapse under the floodlights — a reflection of the unpredictability that pink-ball cricket has brought to the longest format.
🌑 First-Ever Day-Night Test at Sabina Park Begins with Drama
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Australia began cautiously, dragging themselves to 50/1 at lunch, thanks to Usman Khawaja (23) and Cameron Green (46). The run rate was modest, and the West Indies bowlers, especially Jayden Seales, kept things tight without immediate reward. But it was just the calm before the storm.
🏏 Seales and Hope Spark Collapse
The first breakthrough in the second session came via a stunning one-handed diving catch by Shai Hope behind the stumps to dismiss Khawaja. Green and Smith (48) attempted to resurrect the innings with a 61-run stand, nearly lasting the session. But just before Tea, Seales struck with a beauty to remove Green, setting the stage for a dramatic collapse.
💥 Final Session: Aussie Collapse Under Lights
Once the floodlights took full effect, it was carnage. Australia, 138/3 at one stage, lost 7 wickets for just 87 runs in 18.3 overs.
Key Highlights:
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Steve Smith: Played a rash shot outside off and nicked behind on 48.
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Beau Webster: Edged to Hope for 1.
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Travis Head: Dismissed thanks to a stunning diving catch from Anderson Phillip at mid-off.
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Alex Carey: Tried to counter but fell for 21 after inside-edging onto his pads.
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Mitchell Starc: Dismissed for a duck in his 100th Test, bowled by Seales.
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Pat Cummins: Holed out to long-on trying to counterattack.
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Josh Hazlewood: Cut straight to deep point as Shamar Joseph wrapped up the innings.
🧤 Bowling Breakdown: WI Bowlers Deliver Under Pressure
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shamar Joseph | 15.3 | 33 | 4 | 2.13 |
| Justin Greaves | 13 | 56 | 3 | 4.30 |
| Jayden Seales | 18 | 59 | 3 | 3.27 |
🌙 WI Bat Under Lights – Starc Strikes in His 100th
West Indies began their reply under testing conditions. Kevlon Anderson, making his debut, fell to a 140kmph inswinger from Mitchell Starc, becoming his first scalp in the milestone 100th Test.
Brandon King (11*) and Roston Chase (3*) then saw off 6 tricky overs to take WI to 16/1 at stumps, still trailing by 209.
📊 Brief Scores – WI vs AUS Pink Ball Test, Day 1
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| Australia | 225 all out (Steve Smith 48, Green 46) |
| (Shamar Joseph 4-33, Greaves 3-56, Seales 3-59) | |
| West Indies | 16/1 (Brandon King 11*, Roston Chase 3*) |
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🔥 Shai Hope’s one-handed catch to dismiss Khawaja
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🎯 Seales’ deadly precision to get Green and Starc
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🧤 Phillip’s full-length dive to remove Travis Head
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💯 Starc’s 100th Test match — overshadowed by collapse
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🌚 WI bowlers dominated the twilight session with the pink ball
🗣️ What They Said
Shamar Joseph (Player of the Day):
“We knew the pink ball would swing late in the day, so it was about patience. Once the lights came on, we felt in control.”
Steve Smith:
“Disappointed with my shot, and as a team, we needed to bat smarter. Credit to the West Indies bowlers – they exploited conditions well.”
Mitchell Starc:
“Proud moment to play my 100th Test, but we’ve got work to do. There’s still a lot of cricket left.”
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