Travis Head once again proved to Australia’s savour as the World Cup hero hit a rapid hundred on Day 2 of the opening Test against the West Indies at the Adelaide Oval. Head hit 119 off 134 balls, hitting 3 sixes and 12 boundaries as he notched up his 7th Test hundred, his second at his home ground – Adelaide Oval. | AUS vs WI, 1st Test Scorecard |
Head’s sensational hundred put Australia on top and West Indies’s meek surrender with the bat in the second innings means the Adelaide Test is set for an early finish. Josh Hazlewood shone with a 4-wicket haul in the second innings as West Indies were reeling at 73 for 6 at Stumps. Hazlewood has taken his tally to 8 wickets in the match. West Indies will rely on wicketkeeper Joshua de Silva to delay the inevitable on Friday.
Australia were in a spot of bother as the West Indies pacers were spot on and reduced 129 for 5. Debutatns Shamar Joseph and Justin Greaves were keeping Australia under check after the West Indies were rolled over for just 188 in their first innings.
However, Travis Head unleashed a counter-attacking onslaught as he put the pressure right back on the West Indies bowlers. Head had very little support from the rest of the batters, but he made sure Australia got to 283 and sealed a handy 95-run lead.
Usman Khawaja was the second-highest scorer for Australia with 45. while none of the other batters managed to go past 30. Nathan Lyon chipped in with a 34-ball 24.
Travis Head’s century came off just 122 balls, showcasing his aggressive batting style and his knack for stepping up when his team needs him the most. By the time he was dismissed, caught by Hodge off the bowling of Alazarri Joseph for 119, Australia had reached a total of 255 for 8.
Head has made it a habit to rescue Australia out of tough situations, across all formats of the game. The World Cup final hero made sure the West Indies bowlers did not get the upper hand, ruining their hard work on Day 2.
SHAMAR JOSEPH SHINES
While Head’s batting was the highlight for Australia, the West Indies had their moments to celebrate as well, particularly with the debutant Shamar Joseph making an immediate impact. Joseph’s debut was marked by an impressive five-wicket haul, becoming the first West Indies pacer to achieve the landmark on debut Down Under.
Shamar Joseph bowled with plenty of intensity, sending down 20 overs and registering figures of 94 for 2. He got a bit of tap from Head after the left-hander got to his hundred. However, Joseph completed his 5-wicket haul when he got the wicket of Lyon in the 81st over.
Shamar Joseph began his Test career with the wicket of Steve Smith in his first delivery as he ruined the Australia star’s first knock as opener in whites. He then got the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne. Shamar’s victims included Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc and Lyon.
Justin Greaves and Kemar Roach picked up 2 wickets each.
