West Indies get first Test win in Australia since 1997

Brisbane, January 28

West Indies quick Shamar Joseph took 7/68 as he bowled through pain to give the tourists a first Test win in Australia since 1997 with an incredible eight-run upset on Day 4 of the Day-Night second Test. Forced to retire hurt from a toe-crushing Mitchell Starc yorker the previous evening, Joseph bounced back to claim six wickets in a session to help West Indies sensationally dismiss Australia for 207 in pursuit of their modest target of 216.

Australia’s new opener Steve Smith, who made 91 not out, farmed the strike to protect Josh Hazlewood (0) when the Test hung in the balance, but it was to no avail.

Joseph, playing his first Test series, sent Hazlewood’s off-stump flying and he dashed off across the Gabba field with his tongue hanging out before celebrating with his teammates.

“Tears would have come to my eyes but I already cried when I got my five-wicket haul,” said Joseph, who was named both Man of the Match and Man of the Series. “It’s just happiness, when was the last time we won in Australia? I can’t even remember. Today’s a big day for us.”

It was Australia’s first loss in 12 pink-ball Tests.

West Indies, who arrived in Australia with a weakened and inexperienced squad, were given little hope of getting anything out of the series, a judgement apparently vindicated when they lost the first Test by 10 wickets in Adelaide. “I feel like we win the series even though it’s 1-1,” Joseph said. — Reuters

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