West Indies registered a historic first Test win in 27 years in Australia as they defeated the reigning Test world champions by 8 runs in Brisbane on January 28, 2024. Set 216 to win the Test and the series, Australia was rattled by Shamar Joseph and lost by 8 runs.
Shamar Joseph had to retire hurt after getting hit on his toe by a Mitchell Starc yorker, but he went to demolish the Australian batting with the ball in the fourth innings. Steve Smith remained unbeaten on 91, while Cameron Green with 42 and Mitchell Starc with 21 were the only batters to go past 20 after Smith.
Travis Head recorded a king pair, getting out for a duck on the first ball in both innings. Though early damage was done by Alzarri Joseph, removing Usman Khawaja and Justin Greaves dismissing Marnus Labuschagne, the rest was the Shamar Joseph show.
He bowled with pace and extracted extra bounce to trouble the Australian batters and the hosts had to answer to his bowling. Josh Hazlewood was the final victim, bowled by Shamar Joseph and the West Indies team celebrated a miracle win.
This was the West Indies’ first Test win in Australia since 1997 and they also broke a streak of 20 Test defeats against Australia. They also handed Australia their first Test defeat in day-night games.
Interestingly, Brisbane, where Australia has not lost a Test from 1988-89 till 2021, has now lost two back-to-back games at the venue, to India in 2021 and now to the West Indies.
Meanwhile, the cricket fraternity was all praiseful of the performance by the West Indies team and lauded them wholeheartedly for their victory.
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