Shamar sets microscope on Australian top-order as he ripped through them with a ridiculous sense of ease..
Shamar keeps the spotlight on Australia’s struggling top order as Australia’s next-gen batting remains a long-term gamble.
Although the outcome of the match between Australia and Barbados is still far from definite, the first day of the series provided additional insight into the challenge of reconfiguring the top order with an eye towards the future.
First, a warning: the hitting conditions were uncomfortable. After the pre-series training camp here, Jayden Seales suggested the West Indies had a sense of what to expect, but Travis Head, who produced the most dominant innings, claimed that Australia had been caught off guard by how tough they were.
Nevertheless, Australia’s 22 for 3 and subsequent 7 for 69 collapse came after their struggles in the World Test Championship final against South Africa, where they were unable to navigate through challenging situations. Although the West Indies had their own difficulties, it served as a warning that Australia’s batting lineup for the future may be a more ambitious and uncertain endeavour.
Shamar Joseph can put on a show if you only show him the Australia batting lineup. Even if the numbers had been far from dire following his troubles in England last year, he had not quite reached the heights of the Gabba since that heady day, but this reminded him of Brisbane.
A well-planned West Indies bowling display that maintained composure while Head and Usman Khawaja formed the day’s greatest partnership of 89 runs—albeit one that could have been improved with safer catching—was set in motion by his opening delivery, particularly the dismissal of Sam Konstas.
Joseph set up Konstas superbly, and he fell with the ball shaping back at him in a way that has been witnessed both in his early domestic days and at the Australian Under-19 level.
At No. 3, Joseph then gave Cameron Green a working over, causing him to edge low to second slip after dropping second ball in the gully. Although Green has faced some difficult circumstances, including Kagiso Rabada at Lord’s and now another strong pace attack, Pat Cummins stated prior to the game that he considered him as a long-term possibility at No. 3. However, he will need a more convincing second innings to put an end to the discussion.
However, Beau Webster saved the best of the lot, as a stunning delivery that took the top of the stumps absolutely turned him around.
Seales beat his teammate to a five-wicket haul after taking his maiden wicket by removing the recalled Josh Inglis to a pull shot. Since he never felt at his best, he called it the “most special” of the three he had won, but he made sure Joseph accepted the praise as he left the pitch.
With nine wickets between them, Australia needed the bowlers to keep them in the game, which they did admirably for the day’s last 20 overs, as they so frequently do. But when the second innings rolls around, everyone will be watching that top order once more.