Australia’s cricket team rejoiced at a convincing 159 run win over the West Indies in the first Test match. His superb performance set up the pace bowler Josh Hazlewood to play a central role in a protracted Australia innings. The game was played at the Adelaide Oval. Hazlewood was the architect of Australia’s victory, taking five wickets and forcing his opponents to crumble through his trademark accuracy and relentless bowling.
And boy did Hazlewood serve up a cracker of a spell on the last day of that Test. He knocked out four West Indies batsmen for just nine runs. He then bowled Jomel Warrican to end a superb stint of 5-43 in 12.2 overs. Hazlewood sent Carty’s off stump cartwheeling with a brilliant, full, straight ball. Her extraordinary effort established the mood of Australia’s run to success.
Hazlewood’s early strike included the dismissal of Brandon King for a first-ball duck, swiftly swinging the momentum in Australia’s favor. With that spell of bowling, he demolished the entire West Indies batting order. He displayed a grand tactician’s idea by fully capitalizing on the scenarios available.
“I think once we saw West Indies take the second new ball today, we thought things could happen, but not that fast,” Hazlewood remarked following the match. His goal in doing so was soon justified as he came back to have Warrican edged to slip, securing the match for Australia.
The tacky pitch at the Adelaide Oval turned out to be a major factor in the match. Hazlewood noted, “There’s a few cracks on a length from one end, some went low and got a few bowleds and lbws. We just kept hitting the right lengths time and again.” This scrupulous conscientiousness, combined with good fortune, enabled him to take full advantage of the prevailing circumstances.
The win is a perfect launch pad for Australia ahead of the main Test series against the West Indies. The team will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for the upcoming matches. Hazlewood’s performance not only highlights his individual talent but reinforces Australia’s position as a formidable force in international cricket.
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