Australia v West Indies 2023/24

Watch: Shamar Joseph cleans up Josh Hazlewood to seal historic win

by Wisden Staff January 28, 2024 - 7:31am 3 minute read

Watch: Shamar Joseph bowled last man Josh Hazlewood to seal West Indies’ first Test match win in Australia since 1996/97.

Australia had declared 22 runs behind in the first innings in the Gabba Test match. Shamar Joseph, who had debuted in the first Test match, at Adelaide, batted at No.11. His innings, and the West Indies’s, ended when a yorker hit him on the toe and he was given leg-before.

Joseph reviewed the decision and got it overturned, but he had to retire hurt with a suspected fractured toe. However, he took the field, and came on to bowl second change on the fourth day once Australia resumed the third day on 60-2 in pursuit of 216.

Australia were going well at 113-2 when Joseph bowled Cameron Green and Travis Head with consecutive balls. Six overs later, he claimed Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey in the space of three balls to leave Australia reeling at 136-6.

After Starc helped Steve Smith put on 35 for the seventh wicket, Joseph struck twice yet again, to get Starc and Pat Cummins. When Nathan Lyon fell to Alzarri Joseph, Australia needed another 25.

Having batted through the Australian innings, Smith had kept finding runs and shielding Josh Hazlewood. A single off the fourth ball of Shamar Joseph’s 12th over, however, brought Hazlewood on strike.

Joseph’s ball pitched on a length, held its line, beat Hazlewood’s outside edge, and knocked out the off stump. He was named the Player of the Match for his 7-68 as well as the Player of the Series for his 13 wickets and 57 runs (twice dismissed).

Much was spoken of the West Indies, who had included seven uncapped cricketers in their squad (including Joseph). However, they won their first Test match on Australian soil for the first time since 1996/97, and will return from the country without losing the series for the first time since 1992/93.