In the opening Test against Australia, the West Indies faced challenges with the Decision Review System (DRS) that left them frustrated. However, their luck shifted during the second Test on day one, with Australian batsman Travis Head dismissed for 29. Head was caught off a fierce delivery from Shamar Joseph, edging the ball to Shai Hope, who made an impressive one-handed catch.
Celebrations erupted among the West Indies players, but the on-field umpire Richard Kettlebrough decided to review the catch. With Nitin Menon serving as the TV umpire, the decision was upheld, confirming Hope’s grasp on the ball was secure, resulting in Head’s dismissal and leaving Australia at 5-110. Carlos Braithwaite, commenting for ESPN, praised the catch, highlighting Hope’s skill in both catching and cushioning the ball.
This wicket marked a significant achievement for Joseph, as it was his first in the Test. Previous to this incident, the first Test had seen several questionable decisions, notably when Hope himself was denied a similar edge off Head while on 53 runs.
On the batting front, Australia’s top order struggled again but slightly improved compared to their earlier performance. Usman Khawaja was out first for 16, falling victim to an LBW decision by Alzarri Joseph, despite reviewing the call. Sam Konstas added 25 runs but soon followed suit, while Steve Smith’s early exit for just 3 left the team in a precarious position at 3-50. Cameron Green managed to score 26 runs but ultimately edged the ball to the slip cordon just before lunch.
Overall, the day showcased a mix of improved fielding by the West Indies and persistent challenges for the Australian batting line-up.