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Australia v West Indies Day 2: All the latest news and highlights from Adelaide Oval

Travis Head and Shamar Joseph were the stories of day two at Adelaide Oval – until Josh Hazlewood ran riot with the new ball. But is it all papering over some Aussie cracks?

Daniel Cherny and Jordan Pinto
15 min read
January 18, 2024 - 6:36PM
Josh Hazlewood sets Aussie charge with wild early haul!

Work life for Australia’s Test men will resemble that of the average citizen this week: daylight hours only and the weekend off.

The West Indies dragged the first Test into a third day, but only just, with the Aussies poised to complete a comprehensive win on Friday after the tourists’ shallow and callow batting lineup collapsed for the second day running.

A typically swashbuckling century from local favourite Travis Head papered over the cracks of an otherwise scratchy Aussie batting lineup, after Cameron Green followed Steve Smith by failing in his first crack up the order.

But Josh Hazlewood continued his outstanding start to 2024, running through the Windies’ top order and threatening to kill off the Adelaide Test inside two days.

Josh Hazlewood ripped through the West Indies top order. Picture: Izhar KHAN / AFP
Josh Hazlewood ripped through the West Indies top order. Picture: Izhar KHAN / AFP

The middle order showed enough pluck to avoid such an indignity, but Adelaide patrons hoping to see some cricket on Friday – in what is a rare day Test at this venue – ought to get in early.

The West Indies were 6-73 at stumps, still needing another 22 to make Australia bat again.

“Obviously we had a good day yesterday, and then session and a half today maybe two sessions that we clawed our way back,” Windies coach Andre Coley said. “But at the end of the day, you know, way too many wickets (fell). But obviously still in it.”

Having resumed at 2-59, the Aussies lost Green early in the day for 14. The all-rounder, promoted to No.4 in the reshuffle that sent Smith to the top of the order, became Guyanese debutant Shamar Joseph’s third victim when he nicked off to wicketkeeper Josh Da Silva.

Usman Khawaja continued a recent trend of falling within sight of a milestone, grinding his way to 45 before becoming Justin Greaves’ first Test wicket via an edge taken at second slip by Alick Athanaze.

When Greaves hauled in a cracker at third slip to remove Mitch Marsh for five off Kemar Roach shortly before lunch, Australia was remarkably at risk of trailing on the first innings.

Travis Head was the hometown hero on day two. Picture: Mark Brake – CA/Cricket Australia
Travis Head was the hometown hero on day two. Picture: Mark Brake – CA/Cricket Australia
He hit 12 fours and three sixes in his seventh Test century. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images
He hit 12 fours and three sixes in his seventh Test century. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Head, coming off a lean series against Pakistan, had other ideas.

On 41 at lunch, he upped the ante after the break, making a mockery of his perceived weakness against the short ball and pounding his way to what was a second successive Test century on his home ground.

The left-hander blasted his way to 119 before eventually holing out to Alzarri Joseph, while namesake Shamar took a well earned bow as he left the field having secured figures of 5-94, clean bowling Nathan Lyon after the off-spinner’s pesky 24 pushed Australia to what was an eventual first innings lead of 95.

The Windies had been bundled out for 77 in the corresponding innings last summer though and it appeared for a while that they could fare even worse this time around.

Marsh dropped Kirk McKenzie at third slip on 14 off Pat Cummins but on either side of that Hazlewood was rampant, removing Tagenarine Chanderpaul (0), Kraigg Brathwaite (one), Athanaze (0) and Kavem Hodge (three). Edges were Hazlewood’s stock in trade, while Head took a blinder at short leg to send Windies captain Brathwaite on his way.

Shamar Joseph took 5/94 on debut. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images
Shamar Joseph took 5/94 on debut. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Green made his presence felt with the ball as McKenzie (26) lobbed a catch to Marnus Labuschagne at short cover.

Greaves and Da Silva lasted long enough to take the game into Friday, but Lyon trapped the former in the day’s final over for 24 – assisted by DRS – leaving Da Silva on 17 and with only the tail to come.

Their two-decade wait for a win over the Aussies is set to continue.

DAY 2 AS IT HAPPENED: RECAP ALL THE ACTION

– Jordan Pinto

5.30PM STUMPS: THE WINDIES SURVIVE!

We'll be back for another day at Adelaide Oval after West Indians Justin Greaves and Joshua Da Silva dug deep to hold off the Australian attack.

When Greaves was out LBW for 24 on the final ball of the day, stumps was called – and no extra half hour taken – leaving the tourists 6/73, still trailing by 22.

Da Silva is still there on 17, but how long can he survive?

Join us back here from 10am local time tomorrow to find out.

4.50PM: FIVE TO GO!

Kirk McKenzie and Justin Greaves added 21 to the West Indian total and, importantly, saw off Josh Hazlewood.

But on comes Cameron Green and out goes McKenzie – the top scorer of the first inning – for 26.

McKenzie hit one in the air straight to Marnus Labuschagne at cover, leaving the tourists 5/40.

After a stirring start to the session with Shamar Joseph’s magical moment, Isa Guha summed it up perfectly on Fox Cricket, “they’re capitulating here”.

4.45PM: CROWS IN THE DRESSING ROOM

– Matt Turner

Matthew Nicks has spent the week picking the brains of one of the country’s foremost coaches, Australian cricket mentor Andrew McDonald. The Crows coach and senior assistant Scott Burns sat in the Aussies’ box on day two of the Adelaide Test against the West Indies on Thursday.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

4.30PM: OK, THE TWO-DAY TEST IS ON

Make that four down.

And, yes, it’s Josh Hazlewood again.

This time, Kavem Hodge slashed at a full delivery outside off stump and Steve Smith did the rest at second slip.

Hazlewood has 4/2 from four overs. That’s not a typo, either.

His record at Adelaide Oval is now even more remarkable, with his tally at the ground now 40 at an extraordinary average of 16.42

That’s the best average of anyone to have bowled in at least three Tests at Adelaide Oval, with teammate Mitchell Starc (17.88) in second.

Among players to have bowled at least three times at Adelaide Oval, Hazlewood’s average sits third, behind Colin Miller (15 at 16.06) and Frank Worrell (10 at 12.80).

4.10PM: 3/7!

Josh Hazlewood has three and the tourists – and the longevity of this Test match – are in serious trouble.

A ball after the Aussies thought they had him – a review for caught behind was turned down – Alick Athanaze was out for an 11-ball duck after he gloved a short one to Alex Carey.

There are 22 overs remaining today. They couldn’t, could they?

3.55PM: HEAD AGAIN

In Hazlewood’s next over – the fourth of the innings – Kraigg Brathwaite was back in the dressing room, too.

And who was there at short leg when the West Indian captain pushed one in the air to the onside? Travis Head, of course.

The South Australian – fielding about one and a half pitch widths from the bat – took a sharp catch to leave the tourists in serious early trouble at 2/1.

3.50PM: GONE!

That didn’t take long.

The West Indies are 1/0 after Tagenarine Chanderpaul was out for a golden duck, caught nicking by Alex Carey off Josh Hazlewood.

3.30PM: TAKE A BOW, SHAMAR

Five first class games, now five Test wickets on debut.

Take a bow, Shamar Joseph.

And he did, right in front of the members stand, drawing a huge round of applause from the Adelaide crowd.

The remarkable story of the 24-year-old, who, until two years ago, was playing with a taped ball in an area so remote it takes two days to get there by boat, continued on the second day, with Joseph cleaning up the Australian tail bowling Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood in consecutive balls.

Shamar Joseph takes a bow after taking five wickets on debut. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images
Shamar Joseph takes a bow after taking five wickets on debut. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“It’s an amazing feeling right now,” Joseph said on Fox Cricket after the haul.

“I am really happy to be on the big stage and to take five wickets against Australia means a lot to me.

“You learn a lot from those things (working during his early life in a remote region of Guyana)… working hard and you know putting that positive mindset into what you want to achieve in life

“It means a lot…I can’t explain how emotional I am right now.”

Joseph became the 11th West Indian to take a five-for on Test debut, finishing with figures of 5/94.

He’s also just the second touring bowler to take a five-for on debut in Australia in the past 53 years. The second in the past two months, though, thanks to Pakistan’s Aamer Jamal

But thanks to Travis Head, Australia leads by 95.

3.15PM: HEAD WELCOMES BOUNCER BARRAGE

– Jacob Kuriype

Fresh off a century at his home ground, Travis Head has revealed his delight at being welcomed to the crease by a barrage of short bowling from the West Indian attack.

Head came out to bat with the Australians in trouble at 3-67 and by the time he departed for 119 he’d taken the hosts to 8-255, dominating the run-scoring.

Travis Head was the hero on day two of the first Test. Picture: Izhar KHAN / AFP
Travis Head was the hero on day two of the first Test. Picture: Izhar KHAN / AFP

“Nice that they started going short, got myself in a little bit and then was able to navigate through when they pitched it up, so nice result,” Head said on Fox Cricket.

“I think we’ve seen it a few series gone by (short bowling at the start of Head’s innings),” he said.

“They’ve come with a plan. I had a little bit of success last year against them last time so there’s no doubt that they would have come with different plans and I was expecting a few different things, but that’s part and parcel of it.”

Run-scoring has proved tricky for every batter other than Head so far this Test, and the local hero expects that will remain the case throughout.

“There’s always something in the wicket (at Adelaide Oval). We’ve seen that for a while now, especially with the red ball. In Shield cricket (here) you always feel like you’re not quite in, that there’s something there for the bowlers.”

3.05PM: LYON DROPPED

West Indies have wasted a chance to wrap the Australian innings up quickly after tea, with Kirk McKenzie putting down a sitter at third slip in the first over after lunch.

“They’ve been outstanding in the field all today the West Indies, they’ve taken some fantastic catches,” Former Aussie keeper Brad Haddin said on Fox Cricket when Nathan Lyon was dropped on five.

“But this one… that’s a bad miss.”

Fair to say that’s an understatement, Brad.

2.40PM: ...BUT THERE HE GOES

It was clear after bringing up his century, Travis Head wanted to get a move on, launching Shamar Joseph over the fence twice in two balls the following over.

But when he tried to do it to Alzarri Joseph in the 74th over, he couldn’t quite get it there, brilliantly caught on the rope by debutant Kavem Hodge for 119.

After piling on 116 in the second session, the Aussies lead by 72 at tea.

2.15PM: AND THERE IT IS...

The members stand at Adelaide Oval erupts as hometown hero Travis Head brings up his seventh Test century with a beautiful drive through cover.

“It sounds like there’s 50,000 here today,” Ian Smith mused on Fox Cricket.

“Honestly, it sounded like there wasn’t a spare seat in the house ... that’s how popular he is.”

That makes it back-to-back centuries for the aggressive left-hander in Adelaide after his blistering 175 against the West Indies last summer.

Head’s knock off 122 balls featured 12 fours and one six.

Travis Head celebrates his seventh Test century. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images
Travis Head celebrates his seventh Test century. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

2.10PM: ANOTHER ONE FOR SHAMAR

I spoke to soon!

Shamar Joseph now has four wickets after thundering down a short one to Mitch Starc who uncomfortably popped it up off his glove to Tagenarine Chanderpaul at short leg.

“This was a hostile delivery,” Isa Guha said on Fox Cricket.

The 54-run seventh-wicket stand was broken with Australia leading by 34 – and Travis Head on 96.

2PM: HEAD PUSHES ON

The 200 is up and the lead is growing for Australia, with Travis Head edging closer to his second Test century at home in Adelaide.

With Mitchell Starc settling into support – and playing an elegant cover drive himself – Head put the pressure back on West Indian sensation Shamar Joseph hitting him for back-to-back boundaries behind point to move into the 90s.

At 6/214, Australia leads by 28 after 66 overs.

1:15PM: PART-TIMER TAKES OUT CAREY

Justin Greaves and his dibbly dobblers have done the trick for the West Indies again.

Angled in from around the wicket, and it nibbles away just enough to take Alex Carey’s edge for 15. A tentative poke from Carey, and a smart catch low to his left from Joshua Da Silva behind the stumps.

It’s up to Travis Head and the tail to take the Australians to a lead from here – 6-168.

It’s been a productive day for Greaves, who now has two wickets to go alongside a superb catch at short third slip to remove Mitchell Marsh.

1:07PM: FIFTY UP FOR THE LOCAL BOY

Travis Head passes fifty for the 23rd time in his Test career – so far six of those have finished as centuries.

It’s been an important knock from the hometown hero, who reaches his half-century in 77 deliveries.

It’s been a less explosive innings than we’ve become accustomed to from Head, but as has often been the case he has dug the Australians out of trouble.

Australia trail by 25 runs at 5-163.

Travis Head celebrates his half century after lunch. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images
Travis Head celebrates his half century after lunch. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images
Cricket fans weigh in on twilight Test cricket

LUNCH Q&A: WHO IS THE BEST QUICK OF ALL TIME?

– Robert Craddock

Shamar Joseph livened up Australia and fleetingly took fans back in time to an era the game will never forget.

The Test debutant, roaring in at over 140kph, took Australia’s first three wickets in his first Test with speed, seam and a touch of swing fully testing the Australian top order.

It brought back memories of the deeds of the great West Indian bowling outfits who prowled the earth to give their team an unbeaten record between 1980-95 … the likes of Malcolm Marshall, Andy Roberts, Colin Croft, Michael Holding and many more.

It also triggered discussion over who was the greatest of the great … and, indeed, where they ranked in the pecking order of the greatest quicks of all time.

I have always believed that if you put every statistic in a computer, every opinion that matters, looked at every skill of every one of the greats Marshall would be the No 1 quick, not simply of his era but of all time.

Allan Border, who faced the West Indies when they were at their brutal best, said Marshall was the pick of bunch as do many of the batsmen of his era.

The first time they saw him the Australians nicknamed him “Turbo’’ because he bustles to the crease and let the ball go at withering pace.

But he had much more than pace. He could swing it in and away, vary his pace and bowled brutal leg and off-cutters … the complete bowler.

Here’s my top 10 quicks of all time. Do you agree?

Malcolm Marshall bowling in 1989.
Malcolm Marshall bowling in 1989.

11.45AM: THE WINDIES’ SESSION?

After keeper Joshua Da Silva dropped a sitter in the first few overs of the Australian innings, we were thinking ‘here we go again’ after Pakistan showed what happens if you don’t take your chances Down Under earlier this summer.

But, after Justin Greaves grabbed another sharp chance to dismiss Mitch Marsh for five off Kemar Roach, maybe we went too soon.

At five down and still 56 runs behind, if Alex Carey can’t hang around with fellow SA boy Travis Head, it will be Australia under real pressure on day two.

11.15AM: ANOTHER DEBUTANT STRIKES

Just as it was starting to look like it might be partnership that would put the Aussies back in control, another West Indian debutant, Justin Greaves, has broken through.

The tall seamer pitched one right up to Khawaja, who looked more than set on 45, and the left-handed loosely obliged, reaching and nicking to Alick Athanaze at second slip.

11AM: HEAD REACHES MILESTONE

An aggressive Travis Head has become the fourth South Australian to reach 3000 Test runs.

The man from Adelaide’s northern suburbs passed the milestone with his third boundary of the morning, a slashing drive in the air over cover off Justin Greaves.

Head joins SA greats Greg and Ian Chappell and Clem Hill to achieve the feat.

Travis Head was typically attacking on the second morning of the first Test. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Travis Head was typically attacking on the second morning of the first Test. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images)

10.50: BISON ON THE MIC

“You're not getting a hand on that, Bison,” Steve Smith laughed as the Aussies celebrated Cam Green’s screamer at gully early on day one.

And ‘Bison’ – all-rounder Mitch Marsh – couldn’t agree more.

He was mic’d up for Fox Cricket yesterday – and there's plenty of gold.

Listen to the exclusive insight below.

10.30AM: WILL THE FANS SHOW ON THURSDAY?

More than 26,000 fans turned up for day one of the first Test at Adelaide Oval on a Wednesday in mid January.

They are slowly making their way in today, too, and the crowd is sure to grow as the sun breaks through this afternoon.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas went on the attack last month, labelling the scheduling of this summer’s Adelaide Test as “disgraceful”.

But what do the punters think?

SEE THE RESULTS OF YESTERDAY’S CROWD SURVEY HERE

10.07AM: GREEN GOES – GUESS WHO?

And the answer is no, the Aussie can’t contain the young West Indian star – not yet anyway.

Joseph had Cam Green nicking to the keeper Joshua Da Silva with his fourth ball of the day.

And, boy, he’s bowling quick this morning.

With Green back in the sheds, South Australian Travis Head is now at the crease, much to the delight of the members stand.

Can the local boy be the one to stay with Usman Khawaja?

10AM: CAN AUSSIES CONTAIN STUNNING SHAMAR?

Welcome back to the Adelaide Oval for day two of the first Test.

Can Cameron Green make his mark at his new No. 4 spot? Or will Shamar Joseph add another chapter to an already stunning debut?

As Crash Craddock writes, though, the story is already a remarkable one...

REMARKABLE ROOKIE PROVES JUST HOW MUCH WE’D MISS WINDIES

– Robert Craddock

Just when you are ready to write them off – forever – the West Indies unveil the boy from Baracara to prove what the world would miss if they were gone.

It’s not often the star of an Australian Test match is a bowler who, until two years ago, was playing with a taped ball in an area so remote it takes two days to get there by boat.

And that after growing up bowling guavas, lemons and lime in the most primitive form of the game imaginable.

But this is the story behind Shamar Joseph’s remarkable first day as a Test cricketer which will forever be remembered as the gold stud which burst forth from an ever darkening abyss in Adelaide.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

9AM: YOU HAVE THE PRESIDENT’S ATTENTION

Shamar Joseph’s extraordinary exploits in his first day as a Test cricketer have been celebrated by the president of his South American nation.

The debutant smashed 36 from No. 11 before capturing the wicket of the current world no. 3 Test batter Steve Smith with his first ball.

If that wasn’t enough, he followed by dismissing world no. 4 batter Marnus Labuschagne for 10.

Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali addressing the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City in 2023. Picture: Bryan R. Smith / AFP
Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali addressing the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City in 2023. Picture: Bryan R. Smith / AFP

The president of Guyana, Irfaan Ali posted a tribute to Joseph on his official facebook page.

“Beautifully bowled!!!

“Guyanese fast bowler Shamar Joseph made a remarkable start to his international career this evening with the wicket of the experienced Steve Smith from his very first ball in Test cricket.”

Joseph was raised in the village of Baracara in the jungles of Guyana, an area so remote that it only gained telephone connections in 2018.

The town can only be accessed from the regional centre of Berbice following a two day boat trip up the Canje River.

‘Tentative’ Smith questioned after Adelaide opening misfire

– Tim Michell

Australian selectors have been urged to show patience with Steve Smith in his new role as an opener after a “tentative” start to his new role in Adelaide.

Smith was out for 12 from 26 balls off the first ball bowled by Shamar Joseph in Test cricket in his first innings since succeeding David Warner at the top of the order.

Former Aussie wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said Smith’s nerves were obvious.

“It was an interesting day for Steve Smith,” Haddin on Fox Cricket.

“He looked a little bit nervous, to be honest. He got a couple of pull shots away.

“Then he probably defended at a ball he didn’t have to. It was about sixth stump … he just looked a bit tentative for mine, Steve Smith, to start.”

But Brett Lee said any suggestion Smith would be a short-term fix at opener would be proven wrong, saying: “Just give him time”.

Haddin added: “I think it’s been a great decision. The one thing about the decision is Steve Smith wanted to open … he wants a new challenge.”

Shamar Joseph quickly ended Smith’s first innings as an opener. (Photo by Izhar KHAN / AFP)
Shamar Joseph quickly ended Smith’s first innings as an opener. (Photo by Izhar KHAN / AFP)

The man who benefited most from Smith’s switch – Cameron Green – will resume alongside Usman Khawaja on day 2 with Australia trailing by 129 runs at 2-59.

After stumps, Josh Hazlewood told Fox Cricket he was hopeful of a quiet second day at Adelaide Oval.

“Hopefully bat all day. The wicket does flatten out a bit once that ball gets old. Hopefully a couple of boys can lock in and bat the day, for sure,” he said.

Hazlewood and Pat Cummins shared eight of the 10 wickets for Australia as West Indies were skittled for 188.

More Coverage

Crash: Remarkable rookie proves just how much we’d miss Windies
What history books tell us about all-star Aussie attack
Robert Craddock

Originally published as Australia v West Indies Day 2: All the latest news and highlights from Adelaide Oval

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