The opening Test between West Indies and Australia on the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown has delivered a gripping contest, with Day 3’s first session offering a second of pure fast-bowling brilliance. As Australia sought to consolidate their slender lead, West Indies’ Shamar Joseph produced a searing supply that not solely dismissed the damaging Travis Head but additionally reignited hopes for the hosts on this carefully fought battle.
Shamar Joseph’s nasty in-swinger flooring Travis Head on Day 3 of the Bridgetown Check
Head, Australia’s in-form left-hander, was anchoring the innings and had simply accomplished a fluent half-century, steering his aspect in the direction of a place of energy. However within the 53rd over, Joseph unleashed a supply that epitomized the unpredictability and menace of the Kensington Oval pitch. The ball, delivered from again of a size on the fifth stump, jagged sharply again into Head and stored alarmingly low. Head, trying to hop again and work it sq., was utterly undone because the ball skidded underneath his bat and struck him flush on the again leg. The left-hander tumbled to the bottom, floored by the pitch’s treachery and Joseph’s talent, and will solely rise with a rueful smile because the umpire’s finger went up for LBW.
Head’s gritty 61 off 95 balls (8 fours) had been very important for Australia, however there was little he might do towards a supply that mixed seam motion with variable bounce—a nightmare for any batter. Joseph’s celebrappeal and the following breakthrough offered West Indies with a vital opening, breaking a 100-run partnership and exposing the Australian decrease order at a pivotal second.
Right here’s the video:
The partnership is damaged by…guess who?#WIvAUS | #FullAhEnergy pic.twitter.com/QBGlYMdkyU
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) June 27, 2025
Additionally WATCH: Shamar Joseph misses out on 5-wicket haul as Travis Head survives controversial catch on Day 1 of first Test
Australia maintain sturdy towards West Indies within the first session of Day 3
By lunch on Day 3, the match had swung again into the stability. Australia, having been bowled out for 180 of their first innings and trailing by 10 after West Indies’ 190, started their second innings with warning however quickly discovered themselves underneath stress from some incisive Windies bowling. The highest order faltered once more, with wickets falling at common intervals: Usman Khawaja (15), Sam Konstas (5), Josh Inglis (12), and Cameron Inexperienced (15) all departed cheaply, victims of the relentless tempo and motion supplied by Joseph, Jayden Seales, and Justin Greaves.
Head and Beau Webster then staged a much-needed restoration, including 100 runs for the fifth wicket and pushing Australia’s lead previous 150. Head’s dismissal, nonetheless, simply earlier than lunch, left Australia at 181/5 in 57 overs, with Webster unbeaten on 49 and Alex Carey on 8. The guests now lead by 171 runs, however with solely 5 wickets in hand and a pitch exhibiting growing indicators of variable bounce, the competition stays finely poised.
Additionally WATCH: Shai Hope’s scintillating straight drive as West Indies fightback against Australia on Day 2 of first Test
