Australia had a strong first day of the first Test against the West Indies in Adelaide, although Steve Smith’s debut innings as an opener ended prematurely.
Smith had to wait to get to the crease, but when the Windies were bowled out for 188 just after tea, the former skipper was given his chance. Smith, who had been moved up to the top of the order to replace David Warner, was bowled for 12 by West Indian rookie Shamar Joseph’s maiden ball in Test cricket. Follow satiknews for latest updates.
Shamar Joseph completed his outstanding first day of Test cricket by removing Marnus Labuschagne for 10 as 12 wickets fell in Adelaide.
It could have been even better for the tourists, with Alzarri Joseph getting Usman Khawaja’s edge in the second over of the innings, but wicketkeeper Joshua da Silva missed a diving chance behind the stumps. Khawaja was on 1 at the time and got it to 30 before the end, with Cameron Green on 6 as Australia finished 2-59, only 129 behind the West Indies.
Earlier, Pat Cummins won the toss and, unusually, chose to bowl first at Adelaide Oval, a move he quickly justified when he took 2-17 in his first session, removing both openers and leaving the West Indies 2-17.
Kirk McKenzie scored a superb half-century, but his expulsion for 50 triggered a 6-35 collapse, leaving the tourists 9-133. Josh Hazlewood took 4-44 and Cummins 4-41 as both quicks ripped through the tourists’ inexperienced middle order in the afternoon.
Shamar Joseph, on the other hand, returned the attack to Australia, scoring 36 free-flowing runs to help the West Indies regain some dignity, albeit with a score that was far below normal.
