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The Adelaide Oval witnessed a gripping battle between Australia and West Indies on Day 1 of the opening Test of the two-match series. The much-anticipated debut of Shamar Joseph added a surprising twist to the day, as he not only played a pivotal role in guiding the visitors to a decent total in their first innings but also left a lasting mark with the ball by dismissing none other than the legendary Steve Smith in a historic manner.
Australia’s dominance with the ball
Winning the toss and opting to bowl, Australia had a brilliant day as they successfully restricted the West Indies to a modest total of 188. Kirk McKenzie‘s fifty and Joseph’s quick 36 were the only highlights in an otherwise lackluster West Indies batting performance. The Australian pace duo of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins dominated proceedings, both bagging four wickets each.
Australia’s turn to bat started with a momentous sight as Smith walked in as an opener, filling the void left by the recently retired David Warner. The anticipation was palpable, but the joy was short-lived as Joseph crafted a historic moment on his debut.
Also WATCH: Pat Cummins’ masterful in-swinger sends Kraigg Brathwaite packing – AUS vs WI 2024, 1st Test
Steve Smith’s failed first outing as a Test opener
Smith, known for his unorthodox yet effective batting style, took the field with the hope of providing stability at the top of the order. However, the cricketing gods had other plans, and Joseph’s debut delivery to Smith proved to be a game-changer. In a surprising turn of events, Smith fell prey to a brilliant delivery on Just 12 runs, creating an unexpected storyline for the match.
It all happened when Joseph delivered a good-length ball angling back towards the batter, and Smith shuffled across as he attempted to defend. Unfortunately for Smith, a thick outside edge found the hands of the fielder at third slip, resulting in a low catch that marked a sensational start to Joseph’s Test career. Consequently, Smith’s first outing as an opener did not yield the desired results on its maiden try.
Here’s the video:
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
Shamar Joseph’s historic achievement
What added another layer of intrigue to this incident was Joseph’s entry into a select group of players who claimed a wicket on their very first ball in Test cricket. Joseph’s feat made him only the second West Indies cricketer to achieve this rare milestone, solidifying his place in the cricketing history books.
Marnus Labuschagne’s dismissal and Windies’ relief
The Windies’ joy did not end with Smith’s wicket as Joseph went on to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne, further showcasing his prowess with the ball. This double success gave the West Indies a much-needed sigh of relief, bringing the day to an end with Australia at 59/2, trailing by 129 runs.
