WI vs AUS 2025, 1st Test Review: Hazlewood's fifer powers Australia to early victory in Barbados

Josh Hazlewood’s five-wicket haul in the second innings led Australia to a comprehensive 159-run victory over West Indies on the third day of the opening Test at Kensington Oval, Barbados, on June 27. The hosts lost all ten wickets in the final session.

Resuming their second innings, Australia posted 310 and set a target of 301 for the West Indies. Travis Head scored 61, while Beau Webster (63) and Alex Carey (65) provided valuable contributions to extend the lead, which once looked nearly impossible to build with the Aussie batting unit having lost the top four very early.

In response, the West Indies chase was troubled early, as Mitchell Starc struck in the opening over. Former captain Kraigg Brathwaite played a loose shot and was caught at backward square leg by Sam Konstas.

John Campbell and Keacy Carty attempted to steady the innings with some stroke play, but Josh Hazlewood turned the tide towards their side. Campbell was dismissed through a lap-sweep that carried to Carey behind the stumps, and on the very next ball, Brandon King edged to gully where Cameron Green completed a clean catch.

Hazlewood continued to wreak havoc while removing Roston Chase through an inside edge that went to short leg, before clean bowling Carty two overs later. Pat Cummins then got into the act, bowling Shai Hope with a delivery that kept low.

The substitute fielder Marnus Labuschagne produced a direct hit to run out Alzarri Joseph. Hazlewood returned to dismiss Jomel Warrican for his fifth wicket, finishing with figures of 5 for 43 from 12 overs. Shamar Joseph launched a couple of massive sixes late in the innings, but Nathan Lyon sealed the result by picking up the final wicket. Head was adjudged Player of the Match for scoring half-centuries in both inning and showing consistency on a surface that was extremely tricky in nature.

For the West Indies, Shamar was the standout performer, who bowled the most overs in the match and claimed a five-wicket haul in Australia’s second innings. However, the hosts were let down by poor fielding where they dropped seven catches in the slip cordon, which allowed Australia to build momentum and take control of the match.

The second Test is scheduled to begin on July 3 at the National Cricket Stadium in St. George’s, Grenada, where the hosts will look to bounce back after suffering a huge loss despite looking dominant at one point in the opening Test.