Hazlewood's Five-Wicket Haul Seals Australia's Dominant Victory Over West Indies in First Test

Hazlewood's Masterclass

Josh Hazlewood delivered a masterclass in fast bowling, claiming five wickets as Australia secured a comprehensive 159-run victory against West Indies in the first Test at Bridgetown. This victory gives Australia a 1-0 lead in the series, showcasing their dominance in the longer format of the game.

Match Summary

Australia posted a total of 180 in their first innings, with Travis Head contributing a crucial 59. In response, West Indies managed 190, thanks to a solid 48 from Shai Hope. Australia's second innings saw a resilient 310, highlighted by Alex Carey's aggressive 65. West Indies, set a target of 301, crumbled to 141 in their second innings, with Hazlewood's 5-43 being the standout performance.

Key Moments

Hazlewood's Spell: Hazlewood's controlled spell in the evening session of day three turned the game in Australia's favor. He dismantled the West Indies top order, taking four wickets for just nine runs.
Late Resistance: Despite the early collapse, Justin Greaves (38 not out) and Shamar Joseph (44) provided some late resistance, but it wasn't enough to prevent Australia from wrapping up the match with two days to spare.
Nathan Lyon's Finish: Nathan Lyon took two wickets in the final over of the day, ensuring Australia's victory.

Post-Match Reactions

"I think once we saw West Indies take the second new ball today, we thought things could happen, but not that fast," Hazlewood remarked. "There's a few cracks on a length from one end, some went low and got a few bowleds and lbws. We just kept hitting the right lengths time and again."

Looking Ahead

This Test marked Australia's first since their World Test Championship final defeat by South Africa and the beginning of their cycle leading up to 2027. With Hazlewood in top form, Australia looks poised to continue their dominance in the series.