WI vs AUS, 1st Test: Seales, Shamar Joseph Spark West Indies Revival on 14-Wicket Day.
Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph delivered a fiery exhibition of pace bowling to rattle Australia on Day 1 of the first Test at Kensington Oval, sharing nine wickets between them to dismiss the visitors for a modest 180. The West Indies then stumbled in reply, ending a frenetic day at 57 for 4, still 123 runs behind but firmly in the contest.
Seales starred with figures of 5 for 60 — his third Test five-for, all coming on home soil — while Joseph backed him up with 4 for 46 in a performance that revived memories of the Caribbean’s fast-bowling golden age.
“This one was pretty special,” Seales said post-match. “To play against Australia and get five on the first day was special. The plan with the new ball was to bowl fuller and at the stumps. Shamar was outstanding today. He got through the top order and made it easier for the rest of us.”
Australia, fielding a restructured batting lineup in the absence of the injured Steve Smith and the dropped Marnus Labuschagne, never looked settled. Debutant Sam Konstas and Cameron Green fell in the same over to Joseph, while Josh Inglis — stepping in at No. 4 — top-edged Seales to give Shai Hope the first of four catches behind the stumps.
Usman Khawaja (47) and Travis Head (59) offered some resistance with an 89-run stand for the fourth wicket, the only substantial partnership of the innings. But once Joseph dismissed Khawaja, the floodgates opened. Australia crumbled, losing 7 for 69 as Seales ran through the tail.
Head fell after tea to Justin Greaves, while Cummins added a gritty 28 before Seales closed the innings inside 57 overs. The total — 180 — was Australia’s lowest after batting first in the Caribbean and their leanest in the region since 1995.
The West Indies had an opportunity to capitalise but were quickly pegged back by Australia’s pace trio. Mitchell Starc accounted for both openers — Brathwaite and Campbell — with the new ball, while Cummins and Hazlewood chipped in to leave the hosts struggling at stumps.
Debutant Brandon King, who had a forgettable outing in the field with three dropped catches, held firm with an unbeaten 23. He will resume on Day 2 alongside skipper Roston Chase (1*), with the match finely balanced.
The Kensington surface offered sharp movement and bounce throughout, with 10 of the 14 dismissals coming via edges — a sign of how testing conditions were for batters. The day drew comparisons with Australia’s collapse in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s, where 14 wickets also fell on the opening day.
Despite a shaky start with the bat, Australia’s bowlers have kept them in contention. But with a vulnerable top order and a rejuvenated West Indies pace battery, the hosts may sense a rare opportunity to seize control.
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