AUS vs WI 1st Test: Hazlewood & Head Star As Australia Seal Dominant Win Over West Indies In Series Opener

Josh Hazlewood and Travis Head starred as Australia registered a thumping 10-wicket victory in the first Test against West Indies on Friday (January 19) at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide.

After Head smashed a rollicking century in the first innings helping Australia take a 94-run lead, Hazlewood's fifer in the second innings saw West Indies fold for 120, setting a target of just 26, which was chased down by the hosts without losing a wicket.

Australia's clinical performance saw the Test last just more than two days. Hazlewood, who took his career best figures of 9 for 79, with a bit of movement from the pitch blew away West Indies' batting line-up in the final session of day 2.

West Indies resumed day 3 with an overnight score of 73/6 trailing by 22 runs. Mitchell Starc and Hazlewood combined to bag three wickets in the first six overs, putting the visitors under pressure.

Shamar Joseph, the lone shining light for the visitors in the Test, came in the end and showed his skills with the bat by finding a boundary thrice with composure. He looked poised to play a couple of more shots, but Nathan Lyon's spin got the better of the 24-year-old.

West Indies managed to put up 120 on the board leaving the hosts a paltry target of 26.
Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja stepped on the crease, looking to quickly put West Indies out of their misery.

Joseph who impressed in the first innings by dismissing Smith on the first ball of his Test debut was denied the opportunity to bowl with the new ball.

His time to bowl came in the fifth over when Australia needed 14 to walk away with victory. In the 7th over, the awkward bounce took Khawaja by surprise and the ball struck him on his helmet as he tried to move out of the line.

He ended up retiring hurt with a score of 9, Marnus Labuschagne came in scored the winning runs and sent Australia one up in the series. Both teams will meet at Gabba on January 25.

Earlier in the Test, Australia reaped rewards from their decision to put West Indies to bat as they restricted the visitors to 188. Cummins and Hazlewood scalped four each to put Australia in control in the first innings.

In reply, the Caribean side put Australia in a tough spot as they claimed five wickets while the hosts managed to put 129 runs on the board. But Head once again proved to be a game-changer for the hosts.

Head's aggressive intent prevented the West Indies from fathoming their way out and making an unexpected return. However, debutant Joseph was still not denied his fifer in his maiden Test.

(With Agency inputs)