Australia’s revamped bowling attack shrugged off a lacklustre morning session to skittle the West Indies for just 190 in the first Test of the Frank Worrell Trophy at Kensington Oval. The tourists, reeling from early batting disappointments, suddenly found life on the field as captain Pat Cummins and his men clawed back control in an enthralling day’s play.
Morning Woes as West Indies Build Platform
Hosts reach 5–135 at lunch, buoyed by captain’s resilience
The day began poorly for Australia, who had earlier faltered to 180 all out in their first innings, following a dismal top-order performance. In reply, the West Indies looked well set at 5–135 at lunch, thanks largely to gritty half-centuries from skipper Roston Chase and stand-in white-ball leader Shai Hope.
- Chase’s Dogged Defiance
Roston Chase, fresh from leading his side to a surprise Test win in Brisbane 17 months ago, anchored the innings with a measured 44 off 108 balls. His technique against the Australian quicks looked solid, but he began the afternoon session visibly aggrieved after being trapped lbw by Cummins, convinced the ball had struck his bat first. An inconclusive UltraEdge review failed to overturn the decision, and Chase trudged off to a standing ovation, leaving the hosts’ middle order vulnerable. - Hope’s Return Interrupted
Shai Hope, recalled to the side for the first time in over four years, displayed his characteristic composure with a well-paced 48 off 91 deliveries. His patient accumulation had West Indies fans dreaming of a useful lead—until Alex Carey’s spectacular one-handed catch, snaffling Hope’s inside edge. Despite replays suggesting the ball may have brushed the turf, the third umpire granted the wicket to Carey’s benefit of doubt, provoking heated debate across the stands.
Australia’s Second-Session Surge
Five wickets tumble for 55 runs as tourists snatch ascendancy
The dismissal of their two linchpins proved the catalyst for Australia’s bowlers, who ripped through the West Indies lower middle order in the second session:
- Beau Webster’s Breakthrough
In only his second Test match, off-spinner Beau Webster produced a revelatory spell of 2–20 in six probing overs. His first wicket—Jason Holder for a duck—arrived when a flatter bouncer carved through the all-rounder’s defense. Webster then accounted for Joshua Da Silva, caught behind off a clever drifted delivery. - Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins Combine
The pace trio of Mitchell Starc (3–65), Josh Hazlewood (2–34) and Pat Cummins (2–34) applied relentless pressure, exploiting the transition from soft morning dew to a tacky afternoon wicket.- Starc extracted late reverse-swing and bounce to uproot the stumps of night-watchman Kemar Roach and then dismissal of Jayden Seales, who holed out to deep square leg.
- Hazlewood knifed through the defense of Brandon King, bowling the opener for 26, and later trapped Akeal Hosein lbw for 4.
- Cummins struck early in the session, yorking Anderson Phillip to break a stubborn ninth-wicket stand, then cleaned up Roston Chase shortly after lunch.
- Lyon Wraps Up
Spinner Nathan Lyon completed the innings in style, luring tailender Jayden Seales into a reckless slog that was pouched by Webster in the deep. Lyon’s final figures of 1–28 underlined the return to form of Australia’s veteran off-spinner.
Controversial Dismissals Spark Debate
West Indies question umpiring as pivotal decisions shift momentum
Two turning points—Chase’s lbw and Hope’s overturned catch—dominated post-session analysis, prompting West Indies coach Jason Gillespie to call for clearer review protocols.
“The margin for error in these decisions is razor-thin,” Gillespie lamented. “We respect the umpires, but technology must be used more decisively in such crucial moments.”
Australia captain Pat Cummins, while acknowledging the contentious nature of Hope’s departure, maintained focus on his side’s execution.
“Controversies aside, our bowlers seized their chances in the afternoon. That’s Test cricket,” he said.
What This Means for the Test Match
Australia eye further runs but mindful of West Indies fight
By declaring the Windies’ first innings in arrears, Australia now hold the initiative. Their second innings beckons, with the chance to build a lead that could set the tone for the rest of the match. Yet Cummins is wary:
“We know this pitch will offer assistance to spinners later and is nowhere near flat. We need a solid batting display and disciplined bowling in the final session today.”
West Indies, despite the collapse, can draw confidence from their top-order contributions and the prodigious pace of Shamar Joseph, whose first innings 23 not out included a flurry of boundaries that lifted the hosts above Australia’s score. If their batters rediscover form—particularly the experienced Kraigg Brathwaite and Kieran Powell—they remain potent contenders.
Key Performers and Statistical Highlights
- Beau Webster (Aus): 2–20 off 6 overs, showing variation in pace and bounce.
- Mitchell Starc (Aus): 3–65, including two key top-order scalps.
- Josh Hazlewood (Aus): 2–34, maintaining his ability to exploit seam movement.
- Pat Cummins (Aus): 2–34, continuing his knack for striking critical blows.
- Roston Chase (WI): 44 runs, defiant resistance against hostile bowling.
- Shai Hope (WI): 48 runs, reaffirming his class before an unlucky dismissal.
- Shamar Joseph (WI): 3–50, spearheading the Windies’ bowling effort despite batting collapse.
Looking Ahead: Australia’s Second Innings and Future Sessions
Cummins and his leadership group will now convene to assess pitch conditions and set a batting order designed to maximize scoreboard pressure. The likely inclusion of Travis Head as an anchor, alongside Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey, aims to blunt the West Indies pace trio early.
On the bowling front, Nathan Lyon’s role in exploiting wear on the surface suggests a potential spinner-heavy attack later in the match. Paired with Webster, Australia could stifle the Windies’ chase if they enforce with a lead north of 300.
For the hosts, recalibrating under-fire batters and shoring up slip catching—highlighted by Roston Chase’s earlier drop of Cameron Green—will be paramount. Selection decisions around the promising quicks, including retention of Joseph and possible introduction of Jayden Seales as a frontline option, hang in the balance.
Conclusion: A Test Match in the Balance
After a morning of subdued Australian fielding and bowling, the afternoon eruption of wickets has swung the pendulum sharply. The opening Test at Kensington Oval now promises a fascinating battle, as both sides vie for control in this high-stakes Frank Worrell Trophy clash. With the pitch offering assistance for both seamers and spinners, and the batsmen under pressure to convert starts, the coming days could deliver enthralling twists.
Australia, buoyed by their second-session heroics, will look to extend their advantage in the second innings. The West Indies, stung by controversial decisions and untimely collapses, must regroup quickly to stay alive in a Test that already showcases the fluctuating drama that defines the traditional duel between bat and ball in Caribbean cricket.
READ MORE: Australia’s Batting Woes Exposed as West Indies Claim Dominant First-Innings Lead in Barbados
