Australia overwhelmed the West Indies by 159 runs inside three days at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, with seamer Josh Hazlewood delivering a decisive five-wicket haul to close out the first Test on Friday.
Set an imposing 301 to win on a difficult pitch, the West Indies crumbled to 141 all out in just 33.4 overs. Hazlewood finished with figures of 5 for 43 from 12 overs, his 13th five-wicket haul in Tests and second in the Caribbean, arriving a decade after his first.
The home side slumped to 86 for 8 inside 27 overs before the tail—led by Justin Greaves and Shamar Joseph—offered resistance. Joseph cracked a career-best 44, including four sixes, and put on 55 for the ninth wicket with Greaves, who remained unbeaten on 38.
Australia began the day in a precarious position at 92 for 4, holding a slender lead of 82. However, a trio of half-centuries from Travis Head (61), Beau Webster (63) and Alex Carey (65) lifted them to 310 all out—setting West Indies a target they never looked likely to chase.
“We wanted to get 200 but felt a lot more comfortable with 300,” said Australian captain Pat Cummins. “We’re lucky to have Josh, he presents a good seam and hits good areas. He bowled beautifully.”
Also read: West Indies pack up Australia for 180
The chase began disastrously for the hosts as Kraigg Brathwaite was caught in the first over by Sam Konstas off Mitchell Starc. Hazlewood then delivered a devastating burst, dismissing John Campbell and Brandon King in successive deliveries before Keacy Carty, Roston Chase and Shai Hope followed in quick succession.
Hope, who had top-scored in the first innings, fell for 2 after a low shooter from Cummins disturbed his off stump. Alzarri Joseph was run out by a throw from substitute Marnus Labuschagne and Jomel Warrican edged Hazlewood to the keeper to seal the five-for.
Earlier, Australia's innings was built around patient but purposeful batting. Head, dropped on 21, made the most of the reprieve, bringing up his second half-century of the match in 77 balls. He and Webster shared the only century partnership of the game.
Carey added to West Indies’ woes with a 40-ball half-century, dispatching sixes off Jayden Seales and Greaves before helping the tail squeeze out 63 runs. Shamar Joseph returned 5 for 87, completing a nine-wicket match haul in his eighth Test.
The second of the three-Test series begins in Grenada next Thursday.a
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