Josh Hazlewood dismantled the West Indies’ top order with a magnificent bowling spell to lead Australia to an impressive 159-run victory on the third day of the opening Test match at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
Hazelwood bagged 5-43 as the West Indies, chasing 300 runs for victory, were out for just 141 runs.
Resuming the day on 92 for 4, with a lead of 82, Australia took control of the match with Travis Head, Beau Webster, and Alex Carey scoring half-centuries to propel them to 310 in their second innings.
West Indies’ fielding was extremely poor once again, with Justin Greaves missing a chance to get rid of Head off the bowling of Alzarri Joseph after making only 8 runs that day.
An opportunity they regretted, as Head and Webster combined for a 102-run partnership.
Player-of-the-Match Head brought up his second half-century of the match as Australia cruised past the 150-run mark but lost his wicket in the 53rd over by a delivery from Shamar Joseph to be lbw for 61.
The Aussies went to lunch on 181 for 5, and immediately after resuming, Webster brought up his 50 with a boundary off Jayden Seales.
He added 41 with Alex Carey before he was caught by wicketkeeper Shai Hope off the bowling of Shamar Joseph for 63 to leave the score 208 for 6.
Carey then came in with his attack of 65 from 75 deliveries, including seven fours and two sixes, with support from Mitchell Starc (16), Josh Hazlewood (12), and Nathan Lyon with an unbeaten 13.
Shamar Joseph picked up his fourth five-wicket haul of 5-87, to finish with match figures of 9-133.
Chasing a challenging 300 runs for victory, West Indies lost opener Kraigg Brathwaite for just 4.
Keacy Carty joined John Campbell to take their side to a comfortable 47 for one before Hazlewood started destroying the innings.
He first had Campbell caught behind by wicketkeeper Carey, and with his very next delivery, he had Brandon King caught at gully, to leave the score 47 for 3.
Roston Chase was also dismissed by Hazlewood two runs later, when Sam Konstas caught him.
Hazlewood wasn’t done yet, as he demolished Carty’s stumps with an in-swinger. Pat Cummins bowled Shai Hope, and West Indies slumped to 61 for 6.
Alzarri Joseph was run out, and Jomel Warrican edged Hazlewood behind to give him his fifth wicket.
With an exciting knock of 44 from Shamar Joseph off just 22 balls that included 4 fours and 4 sixes, the home side got some hope as he added 55 runs with Justin Greaves for the ninth wicket.
Once Nathan Lyon dismissed him, the end came quickly with Jayden Seales also falling to Lyon’s first ball.
