Fragile West Indies failed to take the opening Test past the first session on the third day as Australia inflicted them with a 10-wicket thrashing to ensure the Frank Worrell Trophy extended its three decades-long sojourn on foreign soil.
Resuming their second innings Friday on 73 for six – still trailing by 22 runs – the Caribbean side folded meekly for 120 in the first over after the first drinks break, with fast bowler Josh Hazlewood claiming five for 35 to end with career-best match figures of nine for 79.
Set 26 for victory, the Aussies needed only 40 balls to reach their target and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series with the second Test in Brisbane starting January 25.
However, Australia’s chase was marred by an injury to Usman Khawaja, with the left-handed opener forced to retire hurt on nine with the scores level after being struck a fearful blow to the chin by a sharp bouncer from outstanding fast bowler Shamar Joseph.
The defeat for West Indies was their 15th in their last 20 Tests against Australia, and have now not beaten the hosts in a Test in 21 years.
“I thought the bowlers did extremely well to bowl out Australia for under 300 runs. I think that was great,” captain Kraigg Brathwaite said afterwards.
“And obviously batting-wise, we didn’t bat well. In both innings, the top order didn’t get going.”
With a quick end to the contest on the horizon, the nearly 17 000 spectators who poured into the Adelaide Oval were not disappointed as Australia made early inroads.
Joshua Da Silva, unbeaten on 17 at the start, added only one before top-edging a hook to deep square off left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc (2-46) in the morning’s fourth over, in a carbon copy of his first innings dismissal.
Alzarri Joseph (16) pinged a couple of sweetly-timed drives before nicking Starc behind and without any addition to the score, Gudakesh Motie (3) shouldered arms to Hazlewood and had his stumps rattled to leave West Indies tottering on 94 for nine.
For the second time in the game, the last wicket pair of Shamar Joseph (15) and Kemar Roach (11) entertained, this time in a 26-run stand which erased the deficit and forced Australia to bat again.
The chase appeared to be a straightforward affair until Joseph stunned Khawaja in his second over, the 24-year-old debutant leaving yet another mark on an otherwise vexing outing for West Indies. (CMC)
