Windies win Test in Australia for first time since 1997

By: Joel Gould Time published 2024-01-28 at 06:47 PM (GMT +11:00)

Fast bowler Shamar Joseph has taken 7-68 to bowl West Indies to a stunning eight-run win over Australia in the Gabba pink-ball Test.

SHAMAR JOSEPH of the West Indies celebrates victory during the Test match between Australia and West Indies at The Gabba in Brisbane, Australia.
SHAMAR JOSEPH of the West Indies celebrates victory during the Test match between Australia and West Indies at The Gabba in Brisbane, Australia. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

AUSTRALIA v WEST INDIES, Second Frank Worrell Trophy Test, Gabba, day four.

SCORE: West Indies (311 and 193), Australia (9d-289 and 207) beat Australia by eight runs.

SUMMARY: The fourth day was highlighted by two sensational individual performances by Steve Smith and Shamar Joseph as West Indies won a Test match in Australia for the first time since 1997.

Smith put the doubts about his credentials as an opening batter to bed with an unbeaten innings of 91. As wickets tumbled around him Smith was serene, but it wasn't enough to get Australia home.

The hosts were 2-113 and on track for a comfortable victory when Joseph (7-68) returned to the field from a badly damaged big toe to snare six wickets before tea and bowl his side right back into the contest.

He finished Australia off by bowling Josh Hazlewood for a duck after the tea break to cap off a remarkable victory.

PLAYER OF THE MOMENT: Shamar Joseph. By rights the 24-year-old should not have been on the field but he found something deep within him to run through the Australian batting order and revive memories of the great West Indian fast bowlers of the 1980s and 1990s.

STAT OF THE DAY: 3 - the number of Australian batters to have bagged king pairs this century after Travis Head was dismissed for two first-ball ducks in the Gabba Test. Adam Gilchrist (2001) and Ryan Harris (2010) were the previous two.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Shamar Joseph has lit up West Indies cricket and lit up this series. It is a great feeling to be a West Indian. This team has made everyone in the Caribbean proud." - West Indian legend Brian Lara.