Victorious in the first Test match of the series, Australia had completed an epic 159-run victory over the West Indies. Behind this triumph lay a potent mixture of fierce batting and patient bowling. The game was held at the famed Gabba in Brisbane. Alex Carey was superb with the bat and Josh Hazlewood produced a brilliant bowling display to hand the home side victory.
In the opening innings, Carey played a sublime innings that highlighted his ability to adapt to the number seven batting position effectively. Further, Messi showed incredible control and shot selection, masterfully guiding the ball all over the pitch. His smart running and hitting kept the scoreboard ticking, with him making a key contribution to Australia’s commanding total.
The standout moment of the innings burst into life when Carey ramped Alzarri Joseph for an incredible one-bounce four. His masterful skill combined with leadership really engaged the audience. Head’s innings was the very definition of explosive, scoring 61 from 22 deliveries. Jointly, he and his partner became probably the most effective couple in conservation. Partnership-wise, together they added 102 runs, putting in place a strong base for Australia as they sought to build an unassailable lead.
Hazlewood’s Bowling Brilliance
Josh Hazlewood had been the most successful bowler for Australia, taking a brilliant five-wicket haul in the match. His second wicket, taken with only his second ball, was the turning point of the match. The West Indies batsmen were visibly troubled by Hazlewood’s precision and consistency on a rapidly deteriorating pitch. He served up a magnificent peach that just befuddled batsman Mitch Starc clean bowled. The ball went in like a knife-edge from outside off, leaving Starc no option at all.
Hazlewood’s rapid-fire “five-fa” not only reflected his skill but capitalized on the West Indies’ struggles in the slips, where they recorded several critical drops. This mix of disciplined bowling and a few disappointing fielding efforts played a major role in determining the fate of the match. As we saw through the past three Tests, Hazlewood proved himself as one of Australia’s premier bowlers. Most importantly, it showcased the astounding talent in their bowler arsenal.
West Indies’ Struggles
The West Indies batting lineup was exposed against the Curran brothers for three days and hardly put up a fight. Alzarri Joseph featured in a stunning bowling display, claiming 9 wickets for 133 runs. It was not enough to pull the jig up in the contest. His efforts were impressive and emphasized his emergence as a potential linchpin for the West Indies in the years to come.
When Travis Head fell on 183, caught and bowled by Ravindra Jadeja, their troubles deepened. Instead he was caught LBW by a ball that only just got to knee-height. This was an opportunity to showcase the difficulties batsmen clearly faced on this difficult deck. As the innings wore on, the West Indies had no room for error against a fierce Australian bowling attack. This challenge proved to be their undoing in the end.
