Australia have defeated the West Indies by 10 wickets in the first Test, securing victory earlier than lunch on day three at Adelaide Oval. But not earlier than opening batter Usman Khawaja suffered a sickening blow to the helmet that left him spitting blood.
Chasing simply 26 for victory, the Australians reached 0-26 about 11 minutes earlier than lunch to safe a 1-0 lead in the two-Test sequence and retain the Frank Worrell Trophy for a thirteenth consecutive time since 1994-95.
However there was late drama when, with the scores tied, Khawaja (9) copped a frightful blow on the helmet from a Shamar Joseph brief ball. The veteran opener was caught in two minds about evading or defending and flinched, turning his head for the time being of affect, and struggling a nasty blow to the jaw.
As the West Indies confirmed concern and a health care provider ran on to the sector, Khawaja felt his higher jaw and cheekbone space and bled from the mouth. He was pressured to retire harm, leaving Marnus Labuschagne (1no) to hit the profitable run and go away Australia’s new opener Steve Smith unbeaten on 11.
Earlier, Australian paceman Josh Hazlewood accomplished a five-wicket haul as the vacationers have been bowled out for 120, a lead of simply 25 runs. The West Indies made 188 in their first innings and Australia, with Travis Head making 119, replied with 283.
It Australia one other sequence victory after their 3-0 sweep of Pakistan final month and a formidable 2023 that noticed them retain the Ashes, win the World Test Championship over India and triumph in the ODI World Cup.
It’s one other feather in the cap of Australian captain Pat Cummins, who turned simply the second skipper in 82 Adelaide Tests to win after sending the opposition in to bat.
Hazlewood adopted his 4-41 in the first dig, which included his 250th Test wicket, by claiming 5-35 – the eleventh time he has taken 5 or extra wickets in a Test innings however tantalisingly wanting what would have been his first 10-for of his 67-Test profession.
The West Indies resumed at 6-73 and misplaced Joshua Da Silva in the fourth over. Da Silva (18) fell for an Australian entice. With two fielders on the boundary on the leg-side, he hooked a brief Mitchell Starc (2-46) supply to Hazlewood at nice leg.
Starc collected his second wicket quickly after when Alzarri Joseph (16) wafted outdoors off-stump and edged to wicketkeeper Alex Carey. Hazlewood secured his newest milestone in the next over, bowling Gudakesh Motie for 3 – the left-hander didn’t provide a shot and was clear bowled.
West Indies debutant Shamar Joseph, who made 36 batting at No 11 in the first innings after which took 5 Australian wickets, made 15 from 12 balls earlier than advancing to a Nathan Lyon (2-4) supply and being stumped.
Cameron Green (1-9) was the opposite profitable bowler whereas Kirk McKenzie top-scored for the vacationers with 26 – he additionally was their highest scorer in the first innings, making 50.
The second Test, a pink ball day-night conflict, begins on 25 January in Brisbane.
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