Josh Hazlewood emerged as the star performer, claiming an impressive five-wicket haul with figures of 5/35.
The match witnessed a dramatic incident as Usman Khawaja was forced to retire hurt after a blow to the head by West Indies debutant Shamar Joseph, just one run shy of victory.Marnus Labuschagne then sealed the win for Australia off the second ball he faced.
Australia’s dominance was evident throughout the match, with a substantial first-innings lead of 95 putting them firmly in control of the low-scoring contest. Hazlewood’s dismantling of the West Indies top order on Thursday set the tone for the inevitable victory.
West Indies, following their first-innings total of 188, could not muster a significant resistance, managing only 120 in their second innings.
Australia required 26 runs to claim a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series, a target they chased down in just 6.4 overs.
Travis Head, the hometown hero, played a pivotal role in Australia’s success by smashing the only century of the match, proving his worth in the middle order.
Depleted by the absence of key players such as Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers, West Indies fielded three debutants.
Despite the loss, the emergence of Shamar Joseph as a future match-winner was a silver lining for the Caribbean side. The 24-year-old from Guyana showcased his potential with a notable 36 at number 11 in the first innings and a five-wicket haul in his maiden Test.
Australia’s victory solidified their position at the top of the World Test Championship standings.
West Indies, facing a winless streak in Australia since 1997, will be eager to regroup as they look ahead to the second and final Test in Brisbane, a day-night affair scheduled to begin on Thursday.
Australia’s comprehensive performance underscored their dominance, while West Indies, despite the challenges, found a glimmer of hope in the promising debutant Shamar Joseph.
(With inputs from Reuters)
