On the first day of the Test match against the West Indies, Australia’s shaky batting order received a boost from half-centuries by Alex Carey and Beau Webster, as the team faced all 10 wickets falling. After captain Pat Cummins opted to bat first, an opening partnership of 47 runs between Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas was cut short when Khawaja was dismissed lbw. Following this, Australia suffered a disappointing collapse, losing three wickets for just three runs, with Khawaja (15), Konstas (25), and Steve Smith (3) all back in the pavilion.
Cameron Green managed 26 runs but was dismissed edging a catch to gully, while Travis Head scored 29 before being caught, leaving Australia struggling at 5-110. However, the innings steadied when Carey and Webster joined forces, putting together a crucial partnership of 112 runs that revived the Australian innings. After Carey fell for 63, the score was 6-222, and Webster was run out shortly after, contributing 60 runs to the total.
Ultimately, Australia was bowled out for 286 runs, with Nathan Lyon managing just 11 runs before edging a ball from Alzarri Joseph, who finished with impressive figures of 4-61. The day was marred by rain delays, and as the West Indies prepared to bat for a brief 20 minutes, the umpires decided the light was insufficient for play, thus concluding the first day early. ESPN’s Stacy-Ann King suggested that both Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Starc would be disappointed with the loss of such a key batting period, meaning the West Indies would feel more content heading into their innings.