Match Summary & Scorecard Highlights
- Venue: Kensington Oval, Barbados
- Dates: June 25–27, 2025
- Result: Australia wins by 159 runs, leading the 3-Test series 1–0 indiatimes.com+14abc.net.au+14thesportstak.com+14cricket.com.au+5theguardian.com+5m.cricbuzz.com+5
Scorecard
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 1st: 180 (exports: Head 59; WI: Seales 5–60) | 2nd: 310 (Head 61, Webster 63, Carette 65; Joseph 5–87) theguardian.com+8espncricinfo.com+8thesportstak.com+8 |
| West Indies | 190 (Hope 48; Starc 3–65) | 141 (collapsed to Hazlewood 5–43) |
Hazlewood’s Match-Turning Spell
- Delivered a devastating 4-for-4 burst over three overs, dismantling the top order in quick time timesofindia.indiatimes.com+15abc.net.au+15news.com.au+15.
- Completed his haul with strategic precision: 5 wickets for 43 runs in just 12 overs, capping off a final-couple blitz in the extended evening session cricket.com.au+1news.com.au+1.
- This is his 13th Test five-for, second in the Caribbean and shows rejuvenated form post-injury cricket.com.au.
Bowler & Expert Reactions
- Hazlewood described spotting “cracks short of a length” and hitting that spot repeatedly, crediting the second new ball for the breakthrough en.wikipedia.org+14nine.com.au+14m.cricbuzz.com+14.
- Cricket analyst consensus: his lethal spell reinforced Australia’s aging but still-dominant pace trio; but top-order batting remains inconsistent news.com.au+1theguardian.com+1.
Supporting Stars & Batting Twists
- Travis Head (61), Beau Webster (63), Alex Carey (65 off 40) provided stability in the second innings after Australia struggled at 92/4 nine.com.au+6theguardian.com+6cricket.com.au+6.
- Shamar Joseph kept WI hopes alive with spirited 44 off 19 balls, but fell just short nine.com.au+4abc.net.au+4theguardian.com+4.
- Fielding lapses from West Indies—including seventh dropped catch—cost them dearly; Australia capitalized immediately cricket.com.au.
Series Outlook & Projections
- Australia leads 1–0; second Test begins July 4 in Grenada, with Grenada pitch expected to favour pace again nine.com.au+3thesportstak.com+3cricket.com.au+3.
- Hazlewood’s resurgence eases concerns on replacing veteran quicks; still, Australia’s batting inconsistency—top-order underperformance—must be addressed for series consolidation .
Deep Dive: Player Profile & Legacy
- Josh Hazlewood, aged 34, right-arm fast‑medium, known for precision and McGrath‑style build, boasts 279 Test wickets at 24.57 avg, with 12 five-fors theguardian.com+5en.wikipedia.org+5thesportstak.com+5.
- Listed among ICC’s top-ranked Test bowlers (No. 4) and a key part of Australia’s trophy-winning campaigns (2015, 2021, 2023) .
- His return to dominance in the Caribbean, a decade after 2015, showcases his sustained excellence and leadership—a critical factor for Australia’s Test edge .
Final Takeaway
Josh Hazlewood’s spell was nothing short of masterful—a decisive factor in Australia’s emphatic 159-run win. With the pace battery firing and middle order standing firm, Australia capitalizes on both bowling dominance and key batting contributions. However, recurrent batting inconsistency flags a potential challenge ahead. The Grenada Test will test whether Hazlewood can sustain his form and Australia’s batting can finally deliver on expectations.
