Australia vs. West Indies live updates: Shamar Joseph guides tourists to history

The West Indies have secured a stunning victory over Australia, breaking a 27-year drought in the most unlikely circumstances.

The West Indies have snapped a 27-year drought against Australia in Australia, claiming a stunning eight-run win at the Gabba.

The Aussies had a chance to complete a clean summer sweep if they could secure victory at the Gabba but it was Shamar Joseph who tore the Aussies apart.

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Joseph ended up with 7/68, all the more remarkable considering he had left the field in agony on day three after he was hit on the toe by a Mitchell Starc yorker.

Even though he wasn’t expected to factor at all on the final day, Joseph did much more than that, ending a winless run against Australia dating back to 2003 or 20 Test matches (16 losses and four draws).

As for match in Australia, it was 17 Tests (15 losses, two draws) dating back to 1997 since the West Indies’ last win in Australia, in an era when the nation had the likes of Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose among others.

Incredibly, Joseph wasn’t even supposed to play, revealing he wasn’t even going to come to the ground.

“I wasn’t even coming on the ground this morning,” he said after sealing the victory.

“I must give a shout out to Dr. Byam (West Indies team physiotherapist), he’s been an amazing doctor to me. He told me to come to the ground for a reason, even if it’s just to support the guys.

“But he did something to my toe, I don’t know what he did, but something worked.

“So I had time to go out there and bowl and bring this game home for my team.”

The Windies have gone wild. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Shamar Joseph takes a well-deserved bow after winning player of the series. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

It wrecks a perfect summer for Australia but in the lone bright spot, Steve Smith was the only not out batsman on 91.

Smith also proved he could make a real fist as Australia’s newest opener, achieving a rare feat in just his second match as an opener.

Much was made about Smith’s ability in what is traditionally a specialist position but he has already carried his bat, meaning he opened the batting but was also the only batter not out after all 10 wickets had fallen.

There have been over 2000 Test matches played in all of Test history — Smith’s innings is just the 57th in which a batter has carried their bat.

It’s the first time since New Zealand’s Tom Latham in 2018, and he’s the first Australian since David Warner in 2011 to achieve the feat.

He is also just the 12th Aussie opener to carry their bat — Bill Woodfull and Bill Lawry each did it twice.
But it was all in vain as Josh Hazlewood had his off-stump uprooted, sparking pandemonium from the visitors.

In the end, in a nailbiting finish that demonstrated the best Test cricket can offer, it was the rank underdogs stealing a memorable win.

6.40pm – Wake-up call for Australia

Australia’s dreams of an unbeaten home summer are in tatters.

Adam Gilchrist then had some sobering words for the world’s No. 1 ranked side.

“There are a few things for Pat Cummins and his team to think about,” he said on Fox Cricket.

“They were challenged at times by Pakistan and Pakistan let themselves down.

“They’ll be really disappointed, they had the chance for a perfect summer.

“Maybe the one consolation is Steve Smith, he looks like he made enough adjustments to be an opening batter in Test cricket.”

The result is also the first time Australia has lost a pink-ball, day-night Test match.

In a history-making effort, Shamar Joseph was named player of the match and the series for his efforts in the first two Test matches of his young career.

6.30pm – The most talked about toe in cricket

Nobody, not Shamar Joseph or anyone watching this Test match, thought the young quick would be bowling on Sunday.

Mitchell Starc seemingly obliterated Joseph’s big toe with a scorching delivery on Saturday night, when the youngster had to retire hurt.

So what did he do? Turn up on Sunday and put in a remarkable spell, bowling 10 straight overs before dinner, to finish with 7/68.

No one was catching Shamar Joseph after he took his seventh and final wicket of the Test match. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Australia was bowled out for 207, just eight runs short of a clean sweep for the summer.

Instead, it is the young West Indian side celebrating a first Test match win over the Aussies in Australia since 1997 and first anywhere since 2003.

“My toe is not the best,” Joseph said after the match.

“I wasn’t coming onto the ground this morning.

“But the doctor told me to come to the ground, he did something to my toe, and it worked.

“I feel like we’ve won the series, the whole series, even though it’s 1-1.”

6.20pm – West Indies win!

Steve Smith was doing his best to shepherd the strike, but was giving Josh Hazlewood a ball or two at the end of each over.

But that man Shamar Joseph only needed one ball, a perfect yorker clean bowling the big quick to give the West Indies an eight-run win in a Test classic.

Joseph finishes with 7/68, while Smith is stranded after carrying his bat to finish unbeaten on 91.

“This is gripping and this man with the ball has really lit up West Indies cricket and lit up this series,” Brian Lara said.

“Unbelievable. Young, inexperienced, written off and they’ve made history.”

Everyone watching was in awe of the 24-year-old fast bowler.

“This is one of the most special things I’ve seen in Test cricket from a newbie, ever,” Ian Smith added.

6.10pm – Just one wicket left

It didn’t take long after the dinner break for another Aussie wicket to fall.

Nathan Lyon (9) walked before he was given out after getting a faint edge to the keeper from Alzarri Joseph’s bowling.

The Australians are now 9/202 needing 14 more runs for victory, while the rock that is Steve Smith has moved to 87 and is commandeering the strike in an effort to guide the home side to victory.

5.35pm – Australia makes it to dinner, just

What a session of Test cricket we’ve just witnessed.

From the relative comfort of a small total to chase and buckets of wickets in hand, the Aussies were obliterated at the hands of a 24-year-old youngster as the tourists close in on a first Test victory in Australia since 1997.

It seems just about everyone in the West Indian camp thought Shamar Joseph would be unable to bowl on day 4 after a Mitch Starc thunderbolt landed flush on his big toe on Saturday evening, forcing him to retire hurt.

“To be honest, I just saw him turn up on the field,” West Indies batter Kavem Hodge said.

“It was really good, he’s got a fighting spirit and hopefully he can finish off the job for us.”

Joseph, who took 5/95 on debut in Australia’s first innings in the first Test in Adelaide, has backed up with 6/60 from 10 overs on Sunday.

“Whatever they did to (his toe), it’s starting to wear off, he’s having a bit of pain,” Hodge said.

“Whatever secret juice they gave him, hopefully he gets some more.

“Kudos to him, he’s doing an amazing job.”

Imagine that, all the Aus bowlers experience and being schooled on how to bowl (esp at the stumps) by West Indies and in particular Shamar Joseph. @RickyPonting

— Mr Fish (@mrfish_ta444) January 28, 2024

Even Kerry O’Keeffe was captivated, mostly by the big toe.

“This drama has built up over four days and it’s knife-edge stuff,” he said on Fox Cricket.

“Everything’s being tested — character, bravery, the big toe.”

The response towards Joseph on social media has been glowing.

“Joseph turning himself into a wicket taking machine,” was one comment.

“Amazing cricket! Inspirational from the young man. For cricket especially in the Caribbean this would be amazing if the Windies can win,” added another.

“Shamar Joseph, something special,” a third said simply.

5.05pm – And the skipper departs

Pat Cummins has proven himself with the bat in crunch situations, but not today.

No prizes for guessing who took his scalp, Shamar Joseph taking his sixth wicket with Cummins caught behind for just two.

That leaves the hosts with just two wickets left and still needing 40 runs to win.

‘What a match we’ve got on our hands here,” a pumped Brian Lara screamed.

“The West Indies smelling victory here at the Gabba.

“Cummins, gone.”

Shamar Joseph celebrates with teammates after taking another wicket at the Gabba. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

4.50pm – Another one gone!

It’s another five wicket haul for Shamar Joseph.

This young man has brought the Test match to light, ripping through the Australian middle order to give his side a real chance of a shock victory.

Cam Green, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Cary and now Mitch Starc have all fallen at the hands of the 24-year-old in just his second Test match.

The West Indies need three wickets, Australia needs 44 runs.

Buckle up.

4.35pm – A new star shows his class

Shamar Joseph has been the breakout star of this two-Test series, the 24-year-old showing enormous promise with ball and bat.

His Gabba match looked done and dusted when he retired hurt from a Mitch Starc toe-crushing delivery on Saturday evening.

Not expected to bowl on Sunday, instead he is looming as a matchwinner, splaying Aussie stumps all over the place in a spell of 4/39.

“This is just unbelievable,” Brian Lara said on Fox Cricket. “Busted toe, he’s on 4/39 and the West Indies are right back in this contest.

“Whatever happens this has been a truly wonderful performance by the West Indies. He’s just been tremendous.”

Joseph has removed Cam Green, Travis Head and Mitch Marsh on day 4.

Steve Smith is still at the crease on 65 and Starc is with him on 16 for the Aussies, who still need 55 runs for victory.

Shamar Joseph is ready for lift-off. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

4.15pm – West Indies aren’t done yet

As Steve Smith and Cam Green put on 71 runs in their third-wicket partnership, the sense was they were quietly batting the Windies out of this Test match.

Enter Shamar Joseph.

Two wickets in two balls – sending Green for 42 and Travis Head for a second straight golden duck, known as a king pair – totally changed the complexion of the match.

Head has been the toast of Australian cricket over the past 12 months, but he has been made to look ordinary with the bat in this contest.

Mitch Marsh briefly steadied proceedings before he edged to slips for 10 to leave Australia 5/132 and still needing 84 runs for victory.

As he has been throughout the second dig, Smith remains the key, currently 57 not out from 103 balls.

“If they can get Steve Smith, they can win this game,” Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket.

King pair for Travis Head! Shamar Joseph 👏#AUSvsWIpic.twitter.com/N8KxH05gSJ

— Cricket Today (@CricketTodayAU) January 28, 2024

Shamar Joseph What a delivery! That's a king pair for Travis Head!

— Masood Ahmad mir (@masoodahmadmir) January 28, 2024

India should learn from Windies how to get out Travis Head.#AUSvsWI#INDvsENGpic.twitter.com/mZ8Hnj9tLh

— Hamza Taqveem (@taqveem_hamza) January 28, 2024

3.55pm – Shamar Joseph causing Gabba carnage

Cameron Green is on his way after a ripping delivery from Shamar Joseph.

The ball bit into the pitch and reared up on Green, hitting him in the forearm and bouncing onto the top of off stump.

His innings come to an end after 42 runs from 73 deliveries and leaves Australia with seven wickets in hand and 113 runs left to score for victory.

Travis Head walked out to the crease but lasted just one delivery as Joseph thundered a yorker into the off stump that completely beat Head.

It continues an ugly record for the Aussie vice-captain at the Gabba and now it’s game on.

3.45pm – Green survives

A big chance to send Cameron Green back to the sheds has gone over the heads of the West Indies.

Green flashed at a delivery with the ball flying off the outside edge but painfully for the visitors is sailed over the outstretched hand of the man at third slip and raced away to the boundary.

3.15pm – Smith struck on the pads but survives

Kemar Roach almost had his man with an inswinging ball that thundered into the pads of Steve Smith.

Thankfully for the Aussie opener the ball was doing too much and sliding down leg. The West Indies went close to calling for an appeal but let it slide.

12pm – Head’s ‘s*** stirring’ act after magic moment

Travis Head didn’t want to be locked into his role under the helmet for Australia, but he all but confirmed it with a moment of magic on Saturday.

After a stunning catch on day two to remove West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite, Head went one better.

Kavem Hodge clipped one off his pads and took a step out of his crease looking for a quick single, unfortunately for him Head snapped the ball up at short leg and in the blink of an eye tossed it at the stumps.

Hodge’s bat bounced over the crease as the throw from Head clattered into the stumps and sent the batsmen on his way.

TRAVIS HEAD, YOU ARE INCREDIBLE! 🔥

📺 Watch #AUSvWI on Ch. 501 or stream via @kayosportshttps://t.co/TdWj8lVdhF
📝 BLOG https://t.co/64QoMQsIfc
📲 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/P2cWnKALvtpic.twitter.com/dvSVCsm8Uy

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 27, 2024

After the piece of brilliance, Head lifted his helmet to the sky in the direction of the Australian rooms. A move that Nathan Lyon said was a “bit of banter” with the coaching staff.

“Travis likes to, how do I put this, s*** stir,” Lyon laughed.

“He’s quite a funny little fella.”

Travis Head with a little ‘s*** stirrer’ act after his moment of magic. (Photo by Pat Hoelscher / AFP)

Lyon after the day’s play spoke about how good it is having Head under the helmet after Marnus Labuschagne moved away from the role.

“Marnus has somehow weaved his way out of bat-pad, and Travis has taken it on,” Lyon told reporters at stumps.

“I know he wants that spot and wants to do a really good job.

“As a spin bowler, bowling to someone who wants to be in at bat-pad is pretty handy. He’s been fantastic.”

When asked to elaborate on whether Head wanted to field at short leg, Lyon smirked and quipped: “Travis is going to be there for the rest of my career.”