190/10 (63.2)
CR : 3.00
180/10 (56.5)
CR : 3.17
Australia won by 159 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Travis Head
59(78) & 61(95)
3:45 AM IST, 6:15 PM local time: Australia win by 159 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
By now, it might have transcended into oblivion, but let us remind you that the day began with all of us wondering if Australia could set West Indies a target of 200. They rather notched up 300.
The grit, resilience and the fight shown by their lower middle order must be lauded. Though, WI supporters will tell you that things could have looked different had their team held onto the catches. Travis Head was on 21 when Justin Greaves put him down at second slip. He went on to score 61 and along with Beau Webster stitched together a stubborn 102-run partnership for the 5th wicket. To begin with, the tall all-rounder was just as dogged as his partner, but unfurled some delectable shots once he got his eyes in.
Then came Alex Carey, who made it seem as if he was batting on a different wicket altogether. His shot-making was bold, authoritative and enthralling to watch. He was not afraid to charge down the track and still managed to hold drool worthy poses for the cricket photographers around the park. Together, the three men helped the visitors set a steep 4th innings target.
There was little doubt that the chase was going to be stiff. But what must have disappointed the fans would be how quickly the batters made it rather look daunting. Of course, this wicket has not been a batter's friend by any means. But the hosts were guilty of playing some poor shots today. Brathwaite flicked one straight to Konstas, who had been stationed at short-ish backward square leg for exactly that. Campbell tried to ramp Hazlewood off his first ball in a new spell. King was dismissed off his first ball, Chase lasted only ten.
The only player who showed a semblance of fight with the bat was Justin Greaves. He unleashed some delightful, textbook style strokes that entertained the WI supporters for a brief while. However, he was always fighting a lost battle. And then, of course, Shamar Joseph came in with a license to swing and carted the ball all around on his way to a 22-ball-44.
While disappointment is understandable, there are a number of positives that the West Indies can take from this match. Shamar Joseph's whole-hearted effort with the ball would be at the fore of it. He ran in hard throughout the match and exhibited finesse. He ends with 9 wickets to his name, but should have had many more. Jayden Seales, who picked a fifer in the first innings, was another big plus. Overall though, there is a lot to ponder and improve upon.
By now, it might have transcended into oblivion, but let us remind you that the day began with all of us wondering if Australia could set West Indies a target of 200. They rather notched up 300.
The grit, resilience and the fight shown by their lower middle order must be lauded. Though, WI supporters will tell you that things could have looked different had their team held onto the catches. Travis Head was on 21 when Justin Greaves put him down at second slip. He went on to score 61 and along with Beau Webster stitched together a stubborn 102-run partnership for the 5th wicket. To begin with, the tall all-rounder was just as dogged as his partner, but unfurled some delectable shots once he got his eyes in.
Then came Alex Carey, who made it seem as if he was batting on a different wicket altogether. His shot-making was bold, authoritative and enthralling to watch. He was not afraid to charge down the track and still managed to hold drool worthy poses for the cricket photographers around the park. Together, the three men helped the visitors set a steep 4th innings target.
There was little doubt that the chase was going to be stiff. But what must have disappointed the fans would be how quickly the batters made it rather look daunting. Of course, this wicket has not been a batter's friend by any means. But the hosts were guilty of playing some poor shots today. Brathwaite flicked one straight to Konstas, who had been stationed at short-ish backward square leg for exactly that. Campbell tried to ramp Hazlewood off his first ball in a new spell. King was dismissed off his first ball, Chase lasted only ten.
The only player who showed a semblance of fight with the bat was Justin Greaves. He unleashed some delightful, textbook style strokes that entertained the WI supporters for a brief while. However, he was always fighting a lost battle. And then, of course, Shamar Joseph came in with a license to swing and carted the ball all around on his way to a 22-ball-44.
While disappointment is understandable, there are a number of positives that the West Indies can take from this match. Shamar Joseph's whole-hearted effort with the ball would be at the fore of it. He ran in hard throughout the match and exhibited finesse. He ends with 9 wickets to his name, but should have had many more. Jayden Seales, who picked a fifer in the first innings, was another big plus. Overall though, there is a lot to ponder and improve upon.
Josh Hazlewood (Australia): "It was about hitting the area and being patient, the right armers were getting good help from the surface. It was about enjoying the cricket and being surrounded by a lot of fun people helps.
I thought it could happen but I did not realize it will happen that fast. There were a few cracks near length, some were skidding on and that kept the batters guessing."
I thought it could happen but I did not realize it will happen that fast. There were a few cracks near length, some were skidding on and that kept the batters guessing."
Session Breakdown:
Session 1: 24 Overs, 89 Runs, 1 Wicket
Session 2: 24.5 Overs, 129 Runs, 5 Wickets
Session 3: 34.4 Overs, 141 Runs, 10 Wickets
Session 3: 34.4 Overs, 141 Runs, 10 Wickets
Time for the post-match presentation ceremony..
Player of the Match: Travis Head
Travis Head (Player of the Match): "I would have liked to conquered it a bit more, it was a challenging wicket. On Day 1 you try to formulate a plan but it was very trickly. Nice to contribute and nice to get 300 today.
I felt like I was more positive on Day 1 when the game was there for the taking, and last night I was desperate to get to stumps. I just wanted to get a bit of momentum back in our change room. It was a slower second inning from me but that was required.
He is having an exceptional start to his career, Beau has had a fantastic time in first class cricket and I have played a lot against him. It was a huge partnership and it was needed today. I try to contribute under the same pressure in all matches, it was nice to contribute with a win. It was a tough week with the bat and it's nice to score a few runs."
I felt like I was more positive on Day 1 when the game was there for the taking, and last night I was desperate to get to stumps. I just wanted to get a bit of momentum back in our change room. It was a slower second inning from me but that was required.
He is having an exceptional start to his career, Beau has had a fantastic time in first class cricket and I have played a lot against him. It was a huge partnership and it was needed today. I try to contribute under the same pressure in all matches, it was nice to contribute with a win. It was a tough week with the bat and it's nice to score a few runs."
Roston Chase (West Indies captain): "The result is a bit heart-breaking. I thought that we did well to bowl them out on the first day for that score, given that they won the toss and elected to bat first. The plan was to have a first innings lead of 100. Some decisions did not go our way.
We slipped up in terms of fielding. We dropped a few chances. You can't give good batters chances at this level. But I cannot discredit the bowlers.
(On Shamar Joseph) Coming into the game, there was a bit of controversy in the news. Talk of Curtly Ambrose and all. That lit up the fire. The knock today shows what kind of character he is and what kind of head he has. We wanted a 50-run partnership at the top, but we lost our most experienced batter Kraig Brathwaite early and never really came back from that."
We slipped up in terms of fielding. We dropped a few chances. You can't give good batters chances at this level. But I cannot discredit the bowlers.
(On Shamar Joseph) Coming into the game, there was a bit of controversy in the news. Talk of Curtly Ambrose and all. That lit up the fire. The knock today shows what kind of character he is and what kind of head he has. We wanted a 50-run partnership at the top, but we lost our most experienced batter Kraig Brathwaite early and never really came back from that."
Pat Cummins (Australia Captain): "It was a great Test match. Coming here this morning, it was gonna be tight but we played well. For the most part of this match, it was in balance.
Once we got to 300, the way the boys batted was fantastic and Carey too batted well. I feel very lucky to have Josh, if there's anything in the pitch, he's gonna find it. He bowled beautifully.
Webster made his way into the Aussie team on the back of a lot of runs in the Sheffield Shield, his batting is crucial and very important for the team. We need to rest and recover, make sure we go in with full energy for the next game.
We'll enjoy this for a couple of days and get on the plane for the second game."
Once we got to 300, the way the boys batted was fantastic and Carey too batted well. I feel very lucky to have Josh, if there's anything in the pitch, he's gonna find it. He bowled beautifully.
Webster made his way into the Aussie team on the back of a lot of runs in the Sheffield Shield, his batting is crucial and very important for the team. We need to rest and recover, make sure we go in with full energy for the next game.
We'll enjoy this for a couple of days and get on the plane for the second game."
West Indies gave Australia a run for their money for the better part of two days. But today, on Day 3, with their backs to the wall, the visitors came fighting back and eventually delivered the knockout blow. In the end, they register what looks like a comprehensive victory on paper.
The caravan will now move to Grenada, where the second chapter of this trilogy will unfold on Thursday, July 3rd. Our coverage will begin at 9:00 AM local time (6:30 PM IST). Do join us then. Goodbye for now!
The caravan will now move to Grenada, where the second chapter of this trilogy will unfold on Thursday, July 3rd. Our coverage will begin at 9:00 AM local time (6:30 PM IST). Do join us then. Goodbye for now!