AUSTRALIA WINS FIRST TEST MATCH BY 159 RUNS

by David Harris

Australia defeated the West Indies by 159 runs on the third day of the first Test at Kensington Oval on Friday evening. 

Chasing 301 runs to win the match; on a pitch that already had balls that were keeping low, the West Indies crashed humiliatingly to 141 all out, losing ten wickets in the final session.  

Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood took the wickets of opener John Campbell (23), Brandon King (0) Roston Chase (2) and Keacy Carty (20) leaving the West Indies tottering at 56 for five wickets in the in the 15 th over. 

Australia claimed the extra half hour with seven wickets down, but with Shamar Joseph (44) hitting the ball lustily and Justin Greaves who made 38 not out batting solidly it appeared that the match would have continued on the fourth day, off-spinner Nathan Lyon took two wickets with consecutive deliveries to ensure that the game ended on the third day. 

Hazlewood captured five wickets for 43 runs, and Lyon picked up two wickets for 20 runs. Australia started the morning on 92 for four wickets in their second innings a lead of 82 runs, the not out batsmen were Travis Head and Beau Webster on 13 and 19 respectively. 

The pair added 102 for the fifth wicket before Head was trapped lbw by pacer Shamar Joseph with a ball that crept along the pitch. Head, the Man of the Match scored 61, the left-handed batter faced 95 balls and struck eight fours. 

Webster made 63 from 120 balls and counted nine fours. While partnership between Head and Webster Australia’s innings, Alex Carey with an explosive 65 from 75 balls provided the fireworks. The wicketkeeper/batsman smacked seven fours and two sixes; he rushed to his half-century in 40 balls. Shamar Joseph took five wickets for 87 runs; he was supported by Alzarri Joseph who chip in with two wickets for 65 runs. 

After the match, Roston Chase the West Indies captain called for accountability from match officials and voiced his concerns over a number of questionable that he felt went against his team. 

“It is just frustrating because as players when we mess up, or we or do things that people don’t like we are penalised harshly, but the officials, nothing ever happens to them. They just have a wrong decision or questionable decision, and life goes on. So, it’s a bit unfair in my estimation”, Chase said. 

“You are talking about guys’ careers. One bad decision could make or break a guy’s career. I just think that it should be an even playground in terms of when players step out of line, they are penalised. I think there should be some penalty put in place when you have blatant decisions going against you”, he added.