Australian opener Steve Smith falls cheaply as West Indies debutant Shamar Joseph strikes with first ball in Test cricket
New Australian opener Steve Smith has failed in his first attempt at the top order on Day 1 of the first Test against the West Indies.
Smith, who was elevated to opener after David Warner’s retirement, was dismissed for just 12 in the ninth over of Australia’s innings at Adelaide Oval.
West Indies debutant Shamar Joseph got the breakthrough with his first ball in Test cricket when Smith edged to Justin Greaves in slips.
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Joseph wheeled away in an instantly iconic celebration.
“What a Test match story and the legacy continues to be built. Important runs with the bat and this is a fairytale beginning with the ball,” Ian Bishop said in commentary.
Joseph had earlier made 36 with the bat in a brilliant final-wicket stand to frustrate the Aussies.
He combined with No.10 Kemar Roach (17no) to post an innings-high partnership of 55 runs.
But the day belonged to the Aussie bowlers with milestone man Josh Hazlewood and his captain Pat Cummins ripping through the West Indies to bowl the tourists out for 188.
Hazlewood (4-44) took four consecutive wickets, including his 250th Test victim, on Wednesday’s opening day of the two-Test series.
And Cummins backed up his shock decision to bowl after winning the toss with a haul of 4-41.
Cummins is just the 10th captain in 82 Test matches at Adelaide Oval to win the toss and bowl. Only one of the previous nine skippers recorded a win.
The West Indies lost 5-35 in a middle- to low-order collapse, with Kirk McKenzie (50) and No.11 Joseph (36) the only batters to pass 17.
After Cummins took the initial two wickets, Hazlewood became the 11th Australian to reach 250 Test wickets.
The paceman bowled Alick Athanaze (13) some 15 minutes before lunch to register his milestone.
After the break, Hazlewood added three more wickets in a superb three-over span – at one stage he boasted figures of 4-14.
His victims included the West Indies’ top-scorer McKenzie, who posted his maiden half-century in his second Test match.
But just three balls later, the 23-year-old Jamaican edged a Hazlewood delivery to wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
Hazlewood also dismissed Test debutants Kavem Hodge (12) and Justin Greaves (five).
Earlier, Cummins backed up his surprise decision to bowl first by taking the initial two wickets.
With his fourth delivery, the Australian skipper dismissed Tagenarine Chanderpaul for six.
The left-hander attempted a slashing drive, but got a thick edge that flew fast to gully fielder Cameron Green, who completed a superb reflex catch, high to his left.
In his next over, Cummins bowled his captaincy counterpart Kraigg Brathwaite (13).
After Cummins’ double delight, Hazlewood was recalled to the attack and bowled Athanaze, who failed to offer a shot to a delivery that moved appreciably off the seam to clip off stump.
After lunch, Hazlewood shredded the West Indies batting line-up, before Cummins had Joshua Da Silva (six) caught at deep square leg by Travis Head.
Fellow quick Mitchell Starc (1-37) then joined the Australian fun by dismissing Gudakesh Motie (one).
In the next over Cummins removed Alzarri Joseph (14), caught at slip by Steve Smith, and the West Indies had lost 5-35.
No.11 Shamar Joseph swung hard, hitting Hazlewood for consecutive fours and also a six in a productive union with Roach that ended when Joseph was lbw to Nathan Lyon (1-36).
The West Indies are fielding a team featuring seven cricketers who have played eight or fewer Tests.
Three – Hodge, Greaves and Shamar Joseph – are making their Test debut and were presented with their maroon caps before play by legendary West Indies batsman Brian Lara.
– With AAP
