Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph breathed life into West Indies’ pace attack with a stirring nine-wicket haul between them, as Australia were bowled out for 180 on a gripping first day of the opening Test at Kensington Oval.
Mitchell Starc, captain Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood shared four wickets to pull Australia back into the contest, reducing West Indies to 57 for 4 at stumps – still trailing by 123 runs – and leaving the match delicately poised.
Seales finished with 5 for 60, his third five-wicket haul in Tests – all of them at home – while Joseph claimed 4 for 46 in a performance that evoked memories of West Indies’ storied fast-bowling tradition.
“This one was pretty special,” Seales said. “To play against Australia and get five on the first day was special. The plan with the new ball was to bowl fuller and at the stumps. Shamar was special today. He got through the top order and made it easier for the rest of us.”
Australia, missing Steve Smith through injury and having dropped Marnus Labuschagne, fielded a reshuffled top order that struggled from the outset. Debutant Sam Konstas was trapped lbw by Joseph for 3, and Cameron Green fell in the same over, edging to second slip after being dropped once. Josh Inglis, covering for Smith at No. 4, top-edged a pull off Seales to give wicketkeeper Shai Hope the first of his four catches.
Usman Khawaja (47) and Travis Head (59) put on 89 for the fourth wicket – the only significant partnership of the innings – before Joseph returned to remove Khawaja just before he could reach his half-century. From there, Australia folded, losing 7 for 69.
Head, who had survived a contentious review for a low catch behind, was eventually dismissed after tea, caught off Justin Greaves. Pat Cummins made 28 to push the score past 170, but Seales wrapped up the innings in under 57 overs.
Australia’s 180 was their lowest total in the Caribbean after batting first, and their lowest in the region since 1995 in Trinidad.
West Indies sensed an opening, but Australia’s pace attack struck quickly. Mitchell Starc removed both openers – Kraigg Brathwaite edged to second slip for 4, and John Campbell was squared up by one that shaped away. Cummins had Keacy Carty caught behind for 20, and Josh Hazlewood bowled nightwatchman Jomel Warrican for a duck.
Debutant Brandon King, who had a difficult day in the field with three dropped catches, remained unbeaten on 23. He was joined by returning captain Roston Chase (1*), who saw out the final few overs under fading light.
The surface, dry and cracked, offered movement and bounce throughout the day. Ten of the 14 wickets fell to edges, underlining how testing the conditions were for batters.
The day mirrored Australia’s collapse against South Africa in the recent World Test Championship final, when 14 wickets also fell on the opening day at Lord’s. There will be concerns in the visiting camp – particularly with a new-look batting order – but their bowlers ensured they stayed in the fight.
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