It was an emotional win for the West Indies. They were written off, laughed at and their in-form pacer had suffered a massive blow to his toe. Defending a target of 216, West Indies were able to overcome the opener Steve Smith's challenge. Young fast-bowling all-rounder Shamar Joseph rushed through the Australian batting lineup to help the visitors win by a margin of eight runs and end their drought of Test wins on Australian soil. Former West Indies skipper Carl Hooper who was part of West Indies’ win at Perth in 1997 over Australia was left in tears in the commentary box.
IN ABC Sports’ commentary box, Hooper could not hold his tears back. As the other commentator lauded West Indies, Hooper got up from his seat, went to the corner, and cried. After a few seconds, he wiped off his tears of joy and had his hands on his head trying to soak up what had happened at the Gabba, Brisbane.
While it was West Indies' first Test win on Australian soil in nearly 27 years, it was also their first Test win against the current World Test Championship (WTC) champions since 2003.
In the Test win at Perth, Hooper had scored a crucial half-century and got the wicket of mighty Australian opener Matthew Hayden. West Indies had registered a convincing 10-wicket win chasing a target of 54.
Hooper's former teammate and legendary Caribbean player Brian Lara got emotional too. He hugged Adam Gilchrist as Joseph ran after taking Hazlewood's wicket.
"Unbelievable. 27 years to beat Australia in Australia. Young inexperienced, written off! This West Indies team can stand tall today. West Indies cricket can stand tall today. Today is a big day in West Indies cricket. Congratulations, Congratulations to every single member of that West Indies team," Lara said while commentating.
West Indies also became the first team to beat Australia in a pink-ball (Day/Night) Test. Joseph was adjudged 'Player of the Match and the series'. In his debut Test series, he took 13 wickets including a couple of five-wicket hauls. His bowling average was a phenomenal 17.31.
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