The primary source of excitement and anticipation leading up to the first Test between Australia and the West Indies was the debut of Steve Smith as an opener. The lack of substantial buildup to the series became evident as the visitors posted a modest total of 188 runs on the opening day. Nevertheless, the West Indies, led by debutant Shamar Joseph, displayed resilience with the ball, indicating their determination to compete in the series.
Australia’s response to the West Indies’ modest total appeared to be on course as their new opening pair of Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja started well. However, the introduction of Shamar Joseph into the attack in the ninth over proved pivotal. Joseph claimed the wicket of Smith with the first ball he bowled, inducing an edge that was caught by Justin Greaves at third slip. This marked a historic moment as Joseph ended the West Indies’ 85-year-long drought by taking a wicket with his first ball in Test cricket.
Shamar Joseph joined the exclusive club of bowlers in West Indies cricket history who have taken a wicket off the first ball in Tests. Tyrell Johnson achieved this feat first in 1939 against England at the Oval. Joseph is the 23rd bowler overall to claim a wicket with his first delivery in red-ball cricket. The most recent bowler to accomplish this was Nijat Masood of Afghanistan, achieving the feat last year against Bangladesh in Test cricket.
Watch the video here:
Shamar Joseph dismissed Steven Smith on the first ball of his Test career.
– What a start by Shamar…!!! pic.twitter.com/ScCKm3lVXs
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 17, 2024
West Indies all out for 188 in the first innings
Day 1 of the first Test between Australia and West Indies saw 12 wickets falling in a single day. Out of these 12 wickets, there were 10 West Indies wickets. A relatively young West Indian batting lineup perished under some disciplined bowling from the Australian trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.
Apart from Kirk McKenzie who scored 50 runs none of the batters converted the start which they had throughout the innings. The duo of Hazlewood and Cummins were the wrecker-in-chief for the Australian team as they picked up four wickets each. Moreover, Starc and Nathan Lyon scalped one wicket each in their bowling regime.
