Australia’s West Indies tour could hardly have got off to a worse start as familiar tormentor Shamar Joseph helped skittle the tourists for just 180 in their first dig in Bridgetown – before his fellow fast bowler gave Pat Cummins a fiery send-off.
Forging into the first Test in Barbados without the axed Marnus Labuschagne and injured Steve Smith, new-look Australia were in a world of pain after winning the toss on Wednesday (Thursday morning AEST) as Joseph took 4-46.
The gregarious quick dispatched top-order wunderkind Sam Konstas for three on his return to the Test arena before continuing Cameron Green’s tough start to life at No.3, the big man also out for the same score.
Joseph’s masterclass came 17 months after he bowled the West Indies to a famous Gabba boilover, and left perennially successful Australia facing the reality that this would be no holiday in the Caribbean.
Smith’s injury replacement Josh Inglis (five) was muzzled as well, caught behind as he tried to counter-attack Jayden Seales (5-60), who would go on to rip through the tail after tea.
The dismissal of Inglis left the visitors reeling at 3-22 after 15.1 testing overs.
Jayden Seales is pictured telling Pat Cummins where the pavilion is after taking the Aussie skipper’s wicket in a wild moment that could come in for scrutiny from the match referee
Highly touted opener Sam Konstas was just one of several Aussie stars to fail miserably with the bat as the side were bowled out for 180 in the first innings
Windies quick Shamar Joseph (pictured) and Seales took nine wickets between them as they ripped through the hapless Aussies
Things could have been worse had wily veteran Usman Khawaja not been dropped twice on his way to 47 before eventually being caught off an under-edge from Joseph.
Only Khawaja’s 89-run stand with Travis Head provided relief for the Australians as they struggled to regroup following the shock WTC final loss to South Africa.
But Head (59 off 78 balls) caught an outside edge from allrounder Justin Greaves (1-26) only four deliveries after tea, signalling the end was nigh for Australia.
Pat Cummins muscled up for 28 off 18 balls with the end in sight before picking out Kraigg Brathwaite at mid-off, with Seales pointing his finger in the direction of the dressing room as he ran down the wicket in a stunning dig at the Aussie captain.
The wild incident could now be examined by the match referee, former India star Javagal Srinath.
Seales then finished the job, Josh Hazlewood (four) gloving to Shai Hope to complete the quick’s five-fer.
Earlier, Beau Webster and Alex Carey both fell cheaply before tea with the visitors having been unable to cash in first-up as they dropped Labuschagne for the first time in six years following the loss to South Africa at Lord’s.
Australia replied with Mitchell Starc taking the wickets of Kraigg Brathwaite (4) and John Campbell (7) before Pat Cummins removed Keacy Carty (20) and Josh Hazlewood sent Jomel Warrican (duck) back to the pavilion to leave the hosts struggling at 4/57 at stumps.
Travis Head (pictured on his way to 59) and Usman Khawaja were the only batters to offer any resistance in Barbados
Mitchell Starc took two wickets with Cummins and Josh Hazlewood taking one each as the Aussies battled back late on day one
Steve Smith was also out of action because of the finger injury he suffered in the final, although he could be available for the second Test.
It was the first time Australia had gone into a Test without him and Labuschagne since November 2018.
It was a big opportunity again for Konstas, who made a spectacular debut in December against India at just 19, but he was quickly dismissed by Joseph nipping one back that trapped him lbw on review. He lasted 14 balls for his three.
Green looked as unhappy as he had against Kagiso Rabada at Lord’s before finally being put out of his misery when Joseph got him caught pushing hard to second slip Justin Greaves on the 21st ball he faced.
A third single-digit effort from as many knocks is sure to embolden those doubting Green’s move up the order on return from his back injury.
Smith’s injury replacement Josh Inglis (5) was muzzled as well, the visitors reeling at 3-22 when he was caught behind trying to counter-attack Seales.
Things could have been worse had wily veteran Usman Khawaja not been dropped twice on his way to 47, before eventually being caught off an under-edge from Joseph.
Only Khawaja’s 89-run stand with swashbuckling Travis Head provided relief for the Australian batters.
Australia will like their chances to eat into the tail early on day two of the first Test after a strong start with the ball.
But if day one is anything to go by, this will be no Caribbean holiday for the Aussies as they tune up for the home Ashes this summer.
