Dramatic First Day in Barbados Test

The opening day of the Test series between West Indies and Australia in Barbados saw a flurry of wickets, with fast bowlers dominating the action.

A total of 14 wickets were taken as Australia were dismissed for just 180 runs. The visitors responded by capturing four West Indies wickets before the close of play, leaving the hosts trailing by 123 runs.

Early Strikes by West Indies Pacers

After Australia elected to bat, Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph quickly made their presence felt with the new ball. Both bowlers exploited the pitch conditions to create early breakthroughs.

Sam Konstas was initially ruled not out but had to depart after a successful LBW review requested by the West Indies.

Joseph almost secured another wicket in the same over, but Brandon King dropped a chance offered by Cameron Green. Roston Chase then missed an easy catch off the same bowler, much to Joseph’s dismay. However, Joseph persisted and eventually dismissed Green, who edged the ball to second slip.

Seales returned after the first drinks interval and continued to inflict damage. Josh Inglis attempted a big hit but mistimed it and was caught off a top edge, leaving Australia struggling at 22/3.

Brief Australian Counterattack

A brief recovery followed, spearheaded by Usman Khawaja and Travis Head. Khawaja initiated the fightback with a six off Alzarri Joseph, followed by two more boundaries in the subsequent over.

Head, maintaining his aggressive style after lunch, achieved a half-century, filling the gap left by Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne.

At 111/3, Australia seemed to be regaining control, but West Indies shifted the momentum once again. Khawaja’s resilient innings ended when he edged a pull shot off Shamar Joseph, who then delivered a superb ball to bowl Beau Webster. Alex Carey was dismissed just before tea, and Head followed shortly after, triggering a collapse.

Captain Pat Cummins contributed valuable runs with a late cameo, but Seales completed a five-wicket haul, restricting Australia to 180.

Australia’s Response with the Ball

In their reply, West Indies needed a strong start, but Mitchell Starc struck early, finding Kraigg Brathwaite’s outside edge. John Campbell also fell quickly, edging an outswinger to Carey as both openers were dismissed within seven overs.

Debutant Brandon King offered some resistance with a rapid 16 off 12 balls, but Australia continued to take wickets. Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins each claimed a wicket before the close, putting West Indies under pressure as they head into Day two.

With the first innings lead still attainable, the hosts will rely on King and captain Roston Chase to steady the innings and solidify their position in the match.