WI vs AUS 2025, 1st Test, Day 1 Review: Seales, Shamar wreak havoc before Australia make comeback on pacers' day

The first day of the first Test between the West Indies and Australia at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados was a thrill-a-minute ride as the fast bowlers on both sides had a field day in the middle.

Australia won the toss and opted to bat first on Wednesday, June 25. There was some seam movement for the pacers and Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales used it to their advantage. Shamar, who had phenomenal debut series against Australia last year, continued his exemplary form against the Baggy Greens, as he gave the hosts their first breakthrough by dismissing the 19-year-old Sam Konstas in the fourth over of the day.

Cameron Green was caught by Justin Greaves at second slip, becoming Shamar's second victim of the day. Seales joined the party in the 16th over as he dismissed Josh Inglis, who tried to pull a delivery to break the shackles but only managed a top-edge that was safely taken by wicketkeeper Shai Hope.

At 22/3, Australia were in desperate need of a partnership and it came from left-handers Usman Khawaja and Travis Head. They batted in contrasting styles and kept the West Indies bowlers at bay. Head's aggressive mindset kept the scoreboard moving, while Khawaja brought a sense of calmness in the partnership.

They added 89 runs before the opening batter was dismissed by Shamar for a 128-ball 47. Beau Webster's innings ended when he got a peach of a delivery from Shamar, who was breathing fire at that stage. The ball hit the deck and moved away to miss Webster's defense and rattle the stumps.

Alex Carey went chasing at a wide delivery from Seales and new West Indies Test captain Roston Chase, who had dropped a catch earlier in the day, dived to his right and took a phenomenal catch at first slip.

Head scored a fighting half-century before edging one through to Hope off Greaves' bowling. The southpaw made 59 off 78 balls. Mitchell Starc departed without scoring as Australia slumped to 143/8 after being 111/3 at one stage.

Pat Cummins played a counter-attacking knock of 28 runs off 18 balls, belting three fours and a six before Australia were bowled out for 180. Seales finished with figures of 5/60, while Shamar bagged four wickets for 46 runs. Greaves also chipped in with the important wicket of Head.

The West Indies openers started with a cautious approach but Kraigg Braithwaite's vigil at the crease was ended by a pearler from Starc. The right-handed batter was caught on his crease and the ball pitched in the corridor of uncertainty and seamed away to induce a thick outside edge towards second slip. The ball was dipping on its way to Webster, but he did well to crouch low and take it with both hands in front of him.

Fellow opener John Campbell didn't have a memorable return to the West Indies team as he poked at a wide delivery and became Starc's second victim. Keacy Carty and Brandon King showed resilience and added a 36-run stand off 56 balls. However, Pat Cummins bowled a sensational delivery to dismiss Carty for a 40-ball 20.

Shamar Joseph removes Konstas, Green in 1st Test

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Shamar Joseph removes Konstas, Green in 1st Test

Jomel Warrican didn't get to bowl an over in the first innings, but he was entrusted to play the nightwatchman's role. However, the left-arm spinner could only last for two deliveries as a nip-backer from Josh Hazlewood ended his stay at the crease. Chase joined King in the middle and the duo took the home side to Stumps on Day 1. The West Indies finished on 57/4, trailing Australia's first-innings total by 123 runs.

The game is intriguingly poised and has all the potential to be a closely-contested encounter. The first hour of play will be crucial on Day 2.