During the final stages of Australia's victory in the first Test against the West Indies at the Adelaide Oval, Australian batsman Usman Khawaja faced a challenging moment. On Day 3, while Australia was nearing their win, Khawaja was struck by a bouncer from West Indies bowler Shamarh Joseph in the seventh over of their second innings.
The incident occurred when Joseph delivered a sharp bouncer that Khawaja wasn't fully prepared for. Attempting to dodge the ball, he nonetheless was hit by it on his helmet. The impact led to Khawaja spitting blood and subsequently retiring hurt, clutching the left side of his cheekbone. Following this incident, Marnus Labuschagne stepped in and scored the runs needed for Australia to secure a 10-wicket win and take the lead in the two-match series.
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Despite the West Indies' loss, Joseph, who was one of three players making their debut alongside Justin Greaves and Kavem Hodge, left a strong impression. In his first innings, Joseph delivered an outstanding performance, ending with figures of 20-2-94-5. His efforts were significant in limiting Australia to a total of 283. Joseph showcased his potential by claiming the wickets of notable players like Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, and Mitchell Starc.
In the second innings, Joseph's involvement was limited, finishing with figures of 1.4-0-7-0. However, his overall performance in the match has likely cemented his place in the starting XI for the second Test, which is set to commence on January 25 at The Gabba in Brisbane.
Concerning Khawaja's situation, there is anticipation regarding his recovery and readiness for the upcoming second Test. The extent of his injury and his ability to recuperate in time will be closely monitored in the lead-up to the next game in the series.
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