West Indies clinched a nail-biting win at the Gabba in the AUS vs WI 2nd Test after Shamar Joseph starred with the ball yet again. This victory marked the Windies’ first victory on Australian soil in 30 years as they leveled the two-match series 1-1. Chasing a target of 216 runs in the 2nd innings, the hosts were put on the backfoot, thanks to the fiery Joseph who took his second five-wicket haul in his 2nd Test.
AUS vs WI: Shamar Joseph leads Windies to thrilling win
West Indies were bowled out for 311 runs in their 1st innings, with Kevam Hodge, Joshua Da Silva and Kevin Sinclair contributing with 50+ scores. In reply, Australia attempted to pull offf a masterstoke by declaring even as they were 22 runs short of taking a lead. The visitors were then bowled out for 193 runs in their 2nd innings, thus setting the target of 216 runs for Australia to win.
Alzari Joseph got the first breakthrough for his side by getting rid of Usman Khawaja in the 5th over. Marnus Labuschagne was the next to go as Justin Greaves struck. And then the Shamar Joseph show began!
Despite retiring hurt after a yorker burst open the pacer’s toe on Day 3, Cameron Green (42) was Joseph’s first victim in the 2nd innings, as he departed after the ball went on to crash into the stumps. The next Australia batter was Travis Head, who walked back to the pavilion for a golden duck. Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey were Joseph’s next two scalps.
Just when things started to seem to get out of hands for the visitors, Joseph pulled his side back into the game with yet another wicket, sealing his fifer. Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc stitched together a valuable partnership as Australia inched towards victory, with the latter putting up a great cameo performance.
He came to the rescue for the Windies as he sent Starc packing, getting Australia down to 7 wickets. The next to depart at the hands of the pacer was Australia skipper Pat Cummins. The final nail in the coffin was hammered by Joseph as he scalped the wicket of Hazlewood to complete a historic Test victory for West Indies.
Steve Smith, who finally broke free from his shackles of poor form, remained unbeaten at 91 runs at the end of play, marking the only positive for the hosts in the game. Apart from Smudge, the only other standout performer for Australia in the 2nd innings was Green.
