Life on Caribbean soil was tough for Australia batters on Day 1 of the opening Test at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados. Shamar Joseph who haunted them at Gabba, rushed through Australia's new-look top-order. In the absence of an injured Steve Smith, Jayden Seales bagged a fifer as Australia were bowled out for 180 in 56.5 overs. However, Australia's fast-bowling trio was up for the challenge and took four wickets for 57 runs as West Indies still trail by 123 runs.
Joseph's attack with new ball
On June 25, skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bat first. Young opener Sam Konstas did not last long at the crease as Joseph trapped him in front of the wickets. Cameron Green's catch was dropped by Brandon King on the second ball he faced. Usman Khawaja got a reprieve off Joseph's bowling as well. Green could not do much at no.3 and scored just three runs before Joseph got him caught at second slip. Seales got into action and bowled a short one to Josh Inglis. He went for the shot but was surprised by the extra bounce. Boundaries flowed with Travis Head's arrival at the crease. At lunch break, Australia were 65/3.
Head, Khawaja's counterattack
Khawaja's catch was dropped again in the 37th over. Meanwhile, Head got to his fifty from 57 balls. Joseph in his second spell got the breakthrough again. He got the wicket of opener Khawaja. He scored 47 runs from 128 balls. Beau Webster did not last long at the crease as he got bowled by an absolute jaffa from Joseph. Webster scored 11 runs from 24 balls. Australia were 123/5. Just before the tea break, Seales got the prized wicket of Alex Carey as Roston Chase took a stunning catch at first slip.
Seales claims fifer
After the tea break, Justin Greaves ended Head's counterattack. He got caught by the wicketkeeper. The southpaw scored 59 runs from 78 balls. In the next over, Seales knocked over Mitchell Starc for a five-ball duck. Cummins looked to score quickly as he felt there is no point hanging around. He hit three fours and a six in his 18-ball 28 cameo. Seales got Cummins' wicket as he failed to clear the in-field. In his next over, Seales wrapped up Australia's first innings with Josh Hazlewood's wicket and completed his fifer. He became the fourth West Indies pacer to take a fifer at Kensington Oval against Australia.
Aussie pace trio stage comeback
West Indies did not get off to a good start. Kraigg Brathwaite became Starc's first victim as he was caught at second slip. In his fourth over, Starc got rid of John Campbell as well. On-debut Brandon King started with a boundary off Starc. After the left-arm pacer's long-running spell, Cummins got into the act. The extra bounce got the better of him and he departed after scoring 20 runs from 40 balls. In the next over, Josh Hazlewood dismissed nightwatchman Jomel Warrican for a two-ball duck. At the end of Day 1's play, West Indies were 57/4 with King and Chase in the middle. King was batting on 23 off 31 balls.