West Indies first test win in Australia since 1997
It is a day to remember for West Indies fans across the world, a test-playing nation that lost to minnows in a World Cup qualifier and thereby lost the opportunity to feature in the ODI World Cup, which they won twice in 75 and 79, crushed a mighty test-playing nation Australia in their home turf after 27 long years. The series was drawn 1-1.
West Indies team didn’t boast of star players like Hope, Pooran, and Hetmyer instead they landed in Australia with an inexperienced, untested, young team under the captaincy of Kraigg Brathwaite. West Indies team won the first test played after Corona pause raising hope of the game revival in the Caribbean. But the hope was short-lived as they lacked consistency and couldn’t win a major series at home or away.
They have demonstrated their T20 skills amply well. They won two world T20 championships since its introduction, but they have been found wanting in longer versions of the game, their performance had been below par with some brilliance here and there, they lacked the killing spirit, and their playing XI has mostly been chopped or changed. But the sportsmanship of any West Indies player can never be questioned, they play the game as it should be.
A test victory against Australia in Australia after 27 years will go a long way in changing the fortune of the game in the Caribbean. Carlos Brathwaite almost pulled off a famous victory against the Kiwis, Rovman Powell has been a revelation in the shorter version, Alzarri Joseph has been phenomenal, and Hope is a textbook cricketer with great temperament, individually they have contributed to the game but as unit, they failed many times.
Shamar, the hero they were searching for all these years to deliver the knockout punch and delivered when everyone wrote them off, West Indies had to declare yesterday due to a toe crusher bowled by Mitchell Starc hitting its target and Shamar was at the receiving end, doubts were lingering whether he would be able to come and play today, but he came and conquered the Gabba by bowling an inspirational spell claiming seven wickets of the eight that fell today.
West Indies cricket found a star and world cricket found a champion, hopefully! Everyone will look at West Indies cricket with the respect it commanded during their haydays, cricket found its ambassador of the game, finally! Take a Bow Shamar Joseph for the grit and determination you displayed to win a game for your team, it’s a reminiscence of the grit shown by Anil Kumble when he came to bat after a grievous injury. Cricket had gained in Australia’s loss! Good days ahead!
Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
- West Indies cricket is back in style - January 28, 2024
- The Vaccine War: An antidote to Urduwood cinema - September 27, 2023
- Srinivasa Ramanujan: The mathematical genius who defined ‘infinity’ - December 22, 2022
