Australia vs. West Indies Day 2: Josh Hazlewood completely destroys West Indies

Josh Hazlewood’s freakish showing has sent a shockwave through the West Indies and threatened to end the Test match with days in hand.

Australia has absolutely dominated on day two of the first Test against the West Indies, leaving the visitors 6/73, still trailing by 22 runs.

The home side resumed with Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green at the crease this morning. All eyes were on Green in his first showing at No. 4 and while the young allrounder smacked two sharp boundaries, he was sent on his way for 14 after edging one through to the keeper.

Enter Travis Head.

The hometown hero blasted a brilliant century in tough conditions and set up a handy lead for Australia after a brief collapsed threatened to hand the day to the visitors.

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Fast bowler Shamar Joseph was easily the pick of the West Indies attack. The 24-year-old has had a dream debut, finishing with figures of 5/94 and receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.

There was some quiet hope for a long, competitive game with Australia being bowled out for under 300.

But when it was time for the West Indies second innings, viewers were given a harsh reality check.

Josh Hazlewood did what he does best with his very first delivery of the innings, taking a thin edge off Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s bat to send him on his way for a golden duck.

He went on to take 3-0 off his first four overs, putting the tourists in all sorts of trouble immediately.

The towering quick finished the day with 4/18 from his eight overs.

Cameron Green chimed in with a handy wicket, and then Nathan Lyon took down Justin Greaves right before stumps to leave the West Indies at six down at the close of day two.

Join us tomorrow at 10.30am (AEDT) for the third day’s play.

6pm – Lyon picks up Greaves at stumps

Nathan Lyon has trapped Justin Greaves LBW, sending the West Indies allrounder on his way for 24. Greaves was looking good, defending well and hitting some brilliant drives to the fence before he eventually succumbed in the final over of the day.

The visitors will resume at the crease tomorrow at 6/73 and trailing by 22 runs.

5.20pm – Green joins the action

Cameron Green took a wicket with his second ball, forcing Kirk McKenzie into an uppish drive that went straight to Marnus Labuschagne at short cover.

It’s a massive blow for the tourists, with McKenzie being the only player showing any real fight this Test match. He hit some beautiful shots on his way to 26 from 35 balls, but now he’s in the sheds and the lower order is almost exposed.

The West Indies still trail by 53.

A bold punter could be convinced into thinking this Test will be all over before stumps on day two.

4.57pm – You’re kidding, Hazlewood strikes again

Well you might have to get to a TV if you’re not already.

Josh Hazlewood now has 4-2 after getting Kaveem Hodge to poke at one outside off stump. The country-bred quick is channelling Glenn McGrath out there this afternoon, probing the West Indies batsmen with impeccable accuracy.

“Believe it or not, Hazlewood now has the first four. Incredible stuff,” Ian Smith said from the commentary box.

And he almost had Justin Greaves as the new batsman arrived at the crease, smacking him on the pads for a half-hearted shout from the slips cordon.

Hazlewood has bowled five overs but it might take superman to pry the ball from his fingers this afternoon.

“He’s been relentless today,” Alyssa Healy said from the Fox Sports commentary box.

“He’s unstoppable with the ball in hand,” Isa Guha said.

4.49pm – Hazlewood is superhuman

Josh Hazlewood has bowled four consecutive maiden overs to kick off the innings with 3-0 next to his name. His relentless line and length has proved impossible to score off for the Windies batsmen, who are now under serious pressure to survive in the second innings.

“He’s not done yet,” Ian Smith said from the commentary box.

The visitors still trailed by 78 as Mitchell Starc finished his first spell, bringing the in-form Pat Cummins into the attack.

3-0 off four overs.

But the Aussies weren’t flawless in the first hour of the final session.

Pat Cummins almost had Kirk McKenzie out on 14 after forcing an edge from the big-driving West Indies batsman. The ball went high to Mitchell Marsh at third slip, but he couldn’t hold onto it as he leapt to the sky.

It’s all happening.

4.14pm – Hazlewood strikes thrice, Windies in strife

Josh Hazlewood has done what he does best with his very first delivery of the innings, taking a thin edge off Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s bat to send him on his way for a golden duck.

Hazlewood will thrive in these conditions with the new ball on a pitch that has proved tricky for batsmen.

And he struck gold again in his second over forcing skipper Kraigg Brathwaite to play at a straighter delivery off his pads. He hit it well, but the ball went straight into the hands of Travis Head at short leg.

Head, fresh from his century in the first innings, had his hometown crowd in a fit with the spectacular grab.

OUTSTANDING! 🤘

It's Trav Head's day in Adelaide #AUSvWIpic.twitter.com/mzOsDQk8M0

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 18, 2024

And then Hazlewood did it again.

A shorter delivery to Alick Athanaze had the Windies batsman attempting a pull shot, but he completely misjudged the bounce and gloved it to Alex Carey behind the stumps.

The visitors reviewed but DRS showed clear contact with the ball.

The country boy is having an absolute field day this Test with seven wickets next to his name already.

3.57pm – Shamar gets five on debut, Australia all out

Debut bowler Shamar Joseph has had a dream debut, taking his fifth wicket of the innings by bowling down Nathan Lyon’s stumps. He finished with figures of 5-94.

He raised the ball to the sky in salute as the Aussie crowd roared.

He even took a bow to a standing ovation as he left the ground.

The Australian tail was looking like hanging on for a while this afternoon, but it was all over a minute later when Kemar Roach cleaned up Pat Cummins with a skidder that beat him for pace.

Australia finished their innings with a 95 run lead.

The Windies have head to the sheds to pad up again.

Take a bow Shamar Joseph. Adelaide will never forget you. Nor will Australia. What a story. What a performance #AusvWIpic.twitter.com/GNQ5e3gDPg

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 18, 2024

3.44pm – Lyon gets two lives

Justin Greaves almost had Nathan Lyon LBW on 14, darting one into the tailender’s pads after tea. The umpire gave it out, but DRS showed the ball was sliding down leg.

Greaves almost had Lyon the over earlier, forcing an edge to the slips cordon. But Kirk McKenzie made an absolute meal of it and sent it to ground.

The Windies are ferociously searching for the final two wickets to stem Australia’s lead for the second innings.

2.49pm – Travis Head gets his century

He’s done it again. Travis Head has brought up his seventh century in trademark fashion off just 122 balls, bringing the Adelaide Oval crowd to its feet.

Fox Cricket’s Ian Smith said: “They have come in their thousands to the Adelaide Oval and their golden boy has done it for them.”

Mark Waugh added: “What a hundred. He likes to get hundreds in low scoring affairs.”

Mitchell Starc was caught at short leg but Head and Pat Cummins are starting to go berserk as Australia’s lead goes beyond 50.

Head came in at 3/67 and has once again rescued Australia, just like he did in the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup finals.

The South Australian was eventually dismissed for 119 when Kavem Hodge took a superb catch on the boundary as Head hit a ball high into the air.

Travis Head has rescued Australia from a tricky position once again.

2.25pm – Australia take lead

Australia have passed the West Indies’ first innings total of 188, brought up the 200 and will look to build a lead.

Travis Head is batting aggressively with Mitchell Starc alongside him at the crease.

1.43pm – Carey out, Test moving quickly

Just as it looked like the Aussies were getting back in control, Alex Carey edged a Justin Greaves delivery through to wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva. Australia trail by 20.

1.35pm – Head brings up 50

Travis Head is doing Travis Head things, bringing up his half century and steadying the ship with fellow left-handed South Australian Alex Carey.

Australia are now closing in on the West Indies’ first innings total of 188.

1.10pm – Healy spills on hilarious handshake snub

Australia’s women’s captain Alyssa Healy has spilled the beans on a hilarious handshake fail with her Indian counterpart Harmanpreet Kaur during the recent subcontinent tour.

India won the lone Test match but Australia won the T20 and ODI series to keep bragging rights in the white ball formats.

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan grilled Healy on the awkward handshake in a cheeky exchange on Fox Cricket during the lunch break.

“Your handshake technique. Just talk us through this picture,” Vaughan said.

A sheepish Healy replied: “Oh no, I’m worried about this.”

“Look at me, I’m ready to go. I’ve got my hand out, eye contact. Harmanpreet, no eye contact. You zoom in a little bit closer — just decided not to shake hands.”

Harmanpreet Kaur and Alyssa Healy with one of the more awkward handshakes. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

Frosty. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

Vaughan said: “It got a little bit heated out there. Is that correct?”

Healy replied: “It was tense, I will say that. There wasn’t a lot of handshaking going on pre-game, nor post-game. At the end of the day after the last T20 that we won and secured the series win, we did shake hands. Good eye contact then.

“I think I can stand up for myself and the photo evidence shows I was ready to go, eye contact, smile on my face. It is what it is. Move on.”

12.35pm – Windies on top early

Australia are 5/144 at lunch with Travis Head 41 not out and Alex Carey unbeaten on nine after the visitors took three wickets in a strong first session.

12.14pm – Marsh out as Aussie collapse

Mitch Marsh is the late Australian to go for just five, edging Kemar Roach to Justin Greaves, who took a sharp low catch. The Aussies are 5/129.

Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket: “That is great cricket from the West Indies.”

Kerry O’Keeffe said: “There’s pressure on the lower order. The West Indies are up and about here.”

11.47am – Khawaja gone

Usman Khawaja was approaching a half century but was caught behind for 46 when he flashed at a wide ball off Justin Greaves.

Khawaja has been dismissed in the 40s in each of his last five Test matches.

Mitch Marsh joins Travis Head at the crease with Australia 4/113.

Cameron Green didn’t last long. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Usman Khawaja was the next man to go. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

10.33am – Green falls, debutant strikes again

It hasn’t taken long for the Windies to strike again on Day 2, and it was none other than Shamar Joseph.

Cam Green hit him for back-to-back boundaries but Australia’s No. 4 was out for 14 when he edged ball through to the keeper.

Fox Cricket’s Ian Smith exclaimed in commentary: “Green is gone. He’s done it again the kid!”

Joseph, 24, has all three wickets and Australia is 3/67. It’s first time since 1964 a West Indies debutant has taken the team’s first three wickets.

WI bowlers on Test debut taking the first 3 wickets of their first bowling innings
1939 - John Cameron
1950 - Alfred Valentine
1958 - Wes Hall
1962 - Lester King
2024 - SHAMAR JOSEPH

#AUSvWI

— Swamp (@sirswampthing) January 17, 2024

Cameron Green is the new old Mitchell Marsh #AUSvsWI

— Anthony Sharwood ❄️ (@antsharwood) January 18, 2024

Australia’s reshuffled batting order isn’t off to the greatest of starts, with Green and Steve Smith getting out for 14 and 12, respectively.

10.25am – President praises debutant’s heroics

The heroics of a West Indies youngster has drawn praise from the president of the fast bowler’s South American nation.

Shamar Joseph starred with bat and ball on Day 1, dismissing Steve Smith with his first ever delivery in Test cricket.

News of the rare feat travelled around the world, with Guyana President Irfaan Ali sharing his delight at Joseph’s success.

He wrote on his 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.”

Shamar Joseph of the West Indies celebrates the wicket of Steve Smith. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Smith’s first innings as a Test opener ended quickly. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

10.10am – Windies debutant can’t believe Smith dismissal

West Indies debutant Shamar Joseph was the star of the show on Day 1 in Adelaide, scoring crucial runs in a rearguard innings before claiming two wickets.

The fast bowler, who was a security guard before pursuing his cricket dream, quickly ended Steve Smith’s first innings as Test opener.

Smith edged a delivery into the slips and was on his way for 12. Remarkably it was Joseph’s first ever ball in Test cricket.

“Trust me that was my dream,” Joseph told Triple M.

“Actually getting my favourite batsman out is amazing. First up in Test cricket. There is nothing better for me.”

Joseph became the 23rd player in the history of Test cricket to take a wicket with his first ball, joining an exclusive club that includes Nathan Lyon.