Australia suffered a batting collapse but came back strong at the end of the day to leave the West Indies teetering on an eventful day one of the first Test.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, West Indies seamer Shamar Joseph ripped through the visitors’ top order. Joseph trapped Sam Konstas in front and had Cameron Green caught at second slip. And when Josh Inglis top-edged one to wicketkeeper Shai Hope off bowling partner Jayden Seals, Australia were teetering at 22/3.
Usman Khawaja and Travis Head then steadied the ship. The duo put on 89 runs together, during which Khawaja was dropped twice. It was third time lucky as Nelson struck for the hosts, as Hope gobbled up an underedge to send Khawaja back to the pavilion for 47, making the score 111/4
And so began the Australian collapse.
The visitors would lose seven wickets for just 69 runs. Head top-scored with his free-flowing 59, but ultimately Joseph and Seals continued their superb work, combining for nine wickets to have Australia all out for 180 just after tea.
Then it was the hosts’ time to suffer. As usual, the workmanlike Mitchell Starc made the new ball talk and nicked off openers Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell for 4 and 7 respectively. Keacy Carty combined with debutant Brandon King – who somewhat incredibly dropped three catches earlier in the day – to wrestle back some control.
This time, it was captain Pat Cummins’ turn to stroke, with a snorter edging the shoulder of Carty’s bat and carrying through to gloveman Alex Carey.
Being late in the day, nightwatchman Jomel Warrican strolled to the crease, but was unable to face the music from Josh Hazelwood, who produced a peach of a delivery to clean bowl a hapless-looking Warrican. The West Indies limped to 54/4 at the close of play, 123 runs behind.
