Posted in Foreign News

Depleted West Indies end 27-year wait to stun Australia in Brisbane

   January 28, 2024
Depleted West Indies end 27-year wait to stun Australia in Brisbane


West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph bowled through pain to power through a shell-shocked Australia and help produce an extraordinary eight-run surprise for his inexperienced side on the fourth day of the second Test in Brisbane.

After being forced to retire injured the night before by Mitchell Starc, a yorker that shattered his toes, Joseph recovered to take six wickets in one session and 7-68 in total, giving the West Indies their first Test win Down Under since 1997 when Australia was bowled out for 207 in pursuit of 216 on Sunday.

Australia’s new opener Steve Smith (91 not out) took advantage of the strike to protect Josh Hazlewood (0) but it was to no avail as Joseph sent the tail end’s ball over the goal post to register the win, leaving the tourists in celebration Gabba Stadium sent .

Before the West Indies were dismissed for 193 in their second game, Australian captain Pat Cummins had bravely declared 289-9, with his side still falling short of the visitors’ first innings total of 311.

Australia won the first Test in Adelaide by 10 wickets and the series ended 1-1.

Joseph, who had been sent to hospital for scans, recovered sufficiently on the fourth day to bowl over Cameron Green (42) and Travis Head, who formed a king pair, in successive deliveries to keep the West Indies’ hopes alive.

Mitchell Marsh (10) was next to fall, juggling between the slip fielders, and Alex Carey (2) was soon shaken with the stumps as the 24-year-old continued his fiery afternoon attack.

Smith was back on 33 overnight and continued to collect, while Starc opted for aggression, hitting a 14-ball 21 before presenting debutant Kevin Sinclair at back point for his third catch of the game.

Cummins, left behind, added two more before becoming Joseph’s sixth victim in a gutsy 11-over series that reduced the hosts to 187-8 at the big break.

Alzarri Joseph (2-62) took a ball down the bottom edge from Nathan Lyons (9) after squandering a catch-and-bowling chance to put Australia ahead by nine and 21 behind, forcing Smith to do so , upping the ante by hitting a six over fine leg. But in the end the hosts failed sensationally narrowly.

The final score represents a thrilling contest in which both teams experienced periods of promotion but the West Indies, who fielded four debutants in the series, had to overcome their bad luck.

“I just thought about what was important and got it to the top,” Joseph said after the win.

“I just tried to find my rhythm and that was important for me.”

“West Indies can survive today”

Former West Indies captain and batsman Brian Lara, who was in the commentary box for the final moments, burst into tears as the final Australian wicket fell.

Lara then praised the team for the impressive win.

“Young, inexperienced, written off, this West Indies team can survive today, West Indies cricket can survive today,” he said after wiping away tears.

“Congratulations to every single member of this team.”

The victory was hailed as the most notable victory in Test cricket by former West Indies bowler and commentator Ian Bishop.

“The most remarkable Test victory I can imagine in this context,” Bishop wrote in a post on X.

Bishop revealed that Joseph dreamed of playing first-class cricket a year ago but has now led his team to a memorable Test victory.

“Test cricket is alive and well,” he said, referring to the oft-questioned status of the sport’s longest format.

Former Australian cricketer and current coach Tom Moody said the win showed that “raw talent and fighting spirit can defy all odds”.





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