Australia’s batting stalwart, Steve Smith, faced a challenging initiation as a Test opener during the match against the West Indies at Adelaide Oval on January 17. This marked Smith’s first appearance as an opener in Test cricket, taking up the role after the retirement of David Warner earlier in the month.
In the initial innings of the first Test against the West Indies, Smith fell victim to debutant Shamar Joseph after contributing 12 runs off 26 balls. Joseph’s first delivery in Test cricket led to Smith’s dismissal, with an edged shot outside the off-stump finding Justin Greaves at third slip.
The surprising wicket came in the ninth over, leaving Australia at 33 for 1. David Warner’s retirement paved the way for Smith to take on the opening position, a significant change in his traditional middle-order role.
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Australia’s bowling unit, led by captain Pat Cummins, displayed an impressive performance on Day 1. After winning the toss and choosing to bowl, the Aussies managed to dismiss the West Indies for 188 runs.
FIRST BALL!
Shamar Joseph gets Steve Smith with his first ball in Tests! #OhWhatAFeeling | @Toyota_Aus | #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/XLelMqZHrG
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 17, 2024
Cummins set the tone early in the match by removing both openers – Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kraigg Braithwaite. Fast-bowler Josh Hazlewood contributed significantly, accounting for key wickets in the West Indian middle-order, including Alick Athnaze and Kaven Hodge.
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Hazlewood’s brilliance continued as he reached a milestone, securing his 250th Test wicket and becoming the 11th Australian player to achieve this feat. The bowling duo of Cummins and Hazlewood, along with Mitchell Starc, orchestrated the West Indies’ downfall.
Despite a resilient 55-run partnership between debutant Shamar Joseph and Kemar Roach for the last wicket, the West Indies managed to post a total of 188 runs. Nathan Lyon took the final wicket by dismissing Joseph for 36, concluding a dominating performance by the Australian bowling attack.
