Australia’s Josh Hazlewood raises the ball after taking the wicket of West Indies’ Jomel Warrican, his fifth of the innings, on day three of the primary cricket Test match at Kensington Stadium in Bridgetown, Barbados, on June 27, 2025.
| Photo Credit: AP
Australia ruthlessly accomplished a 159-run victory over West Indies in the primary Test on Friday (June 27, 2025) as Nathan Lyon swept up the tail after Josh Hazlewood’s five-wicket masterclass broke the hosts’ resistance on a pitch that deteriorated right into a bowler’s paradise.
Lyon claimed the ultimate two wickets in consecutive deliveries, ending Shamar Joseph’s entertaining knock at 44 from simply 22 balls, as West Indies had been dismissed for 141 chasing an inconceivable 301 to hand Australia a 1-0 sequence lead.
“There was enough in the wicket, up-and-down from a length,” mentioned Hazlewood, who completed with figures of 5 for 43.
“It’s just about hitting that area time and time again and being patient. I’m just enjoying cricket, Tests at the moment. Good team, atmosphere.
“I feel as soon as we noticed West Indies take the second new ball right now, we thought issues may occur, however not that quick. There’s just a few cracks on a size from one finish, some went low and we acquired just a few bowled and lbws.”
Hazlewood’s victims included John Campbell (caught behind attempting a scoop), Brandon King (edging to gully first ball), Roston Chase (popping to short leg) and Keacy Carty (bowled by vicious seam movement), before completing his 13th Test five-wicket haul by having Warrican caught at slip.
Pat Cummins added Shai Hope’s wicket with another delivery that kept fatally low, while substitute fielder Marnus Labuschagne’s direct hit ran out Alzarri Joseph to underline Australia’s superiority in all departments.
Earlier, Australia had methodically constructed their match-winning position through intelligent batting across three sessions.
Beau Webster (63) and Travis Head (61) forged the match’s first century partnership before Head was left sprawled face-down by a Shamar Joseph delivery that scuttled beneath his bat.
Alex Carey’s enterprising 65, featuring a spectacular six onto the stadium roof, effectively sealed the contest despite Joseph claiming his own five-wicket haul with a tireless display of seam bowling.
The day’s dramatic shifts perfectly encapsulated Test cricket’s unpredictability – from morning resistance to afternoon collapse – with Australia demonstrating precisely why they remain the format’s benchmark team.
Published – June 28, 2025 10:43 am IST