West Indies vs Australia: Hazlewood annhilates Windies to secure Aussie victory in three days

Australia’s middle order helped turn the first Test in Australia’s favour - before Josh Hazlewood tore the West Indies’ top order to shreds and triggered an almighty collapse by the hosts.

Australia has claimed a thumping win in the first Test after Josh Hazlewood ran through the West Indies at Kensington Oval.

From a perilous position at 4-92 starting day three - leading by just 82 runs - Australia dominated proceedings in Barbados, restoring order with a ruthless pace display that followed a middle order fightback.

Chasing 301 to beat Australia in a home Test for the first time since 2003, the Windies lost 7-39 before Shamar Joseph - already with nine wickets for the match - rode his luck, slogged his way to 44.

With the light towers already in effect, Nathan Lyon finally removed Joseph and Jayden Seales in consecutive balls, with the Windies bowled out for 141. It secured Australia a 159-run win inside three days, with play ending at 6:13pm, 73 minutes after the scheduled stumps.

Half-centuries from Travis Head, Beau Webster and Alex Carey helped haul the tourists to a second innings 310, as bounce became increasingly variable on a deck that had troubled batters for most of the three days.

Mitchell Starc claimed the early wicket of Kraigg Brathwaite for four, before the Windies appeared to steady as John Campbell and Keacy Carty put on 43 for the second wicket, Carty the beneficiary of a drop by Cameron Green at gully.

However Hazlewood took control, picking up four wickets in quick succession from the Joel Garner End as the feeble hosts capitulated.

Even dropped for this match, Marnus Labuschagne was not to be denied a say, effecting a direct hit run out from mid-off to remove Alzarri Joseph for a duck.

Hazlewood picked up a fifth as Jomel Warrican nicked off for three to Carey. The umpires allowed Australia an extra 30 minutes to pick up the remaining wickets needed for victory, only for Konstas to drop Joseph at deep midwicket off Hazlewood, who also had an lbw call to remove Justin Greaves overturned.

But despite further drama as a wandering pigeon delayed proceedings, Lyon was allowed to wrap up the tail and ensure Australia a weekend off.

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Originally published as West Indies vs Australia: Hazlewood annhilates Windies to secure Aussie victory in three days