Emotions ran high on Day 4 of the second Test in Brisbane as one of the most remarkable bowling efforts on a cricket field steered West Indies to a memorable victory against the mighty Australians.
Australia started the day at 60/2, requiring another 156 runs to win the match and Test series 2-0. Overnight batters Steve Smith and Cameron Green added 53 runs in quick time. West Indies needed inspiration and it came in the form of young Shamar Joseph. He suffered a toe injury after being hit by a Mitchell Starc yorker on Day 3 and didn’t take the field in the final session.
Kraigg Brathwaite tossed the ball to the 24-year-old, who had just come onto the field a few overs ago. The right-arm pacer conceded 10 runs off his first over. However, he bounced back by taking the wickets of Green and Travis Head off consecutive deliveries as the tourists had a spring in their steps.
Joseph went on to bowl 10 overs on the trot in his spell and bagged four more wickets in the heroic spell. At the end of the first session, Australia were 187/8, still requiring 29 runs for a win. Steve Smith remained unbeaten on 76, and was standing in the way of a miraculous win for the visitors.
Alzarri Joseph accounted for the wicket of Nathan Lyon in the first over after the break. The last-wicket partnership between Smith and Josh Hazlewood produced 16 runs before Joseph, fittingly returned to dismiss Hazlewood, as Smith remained stranded on 91. The West Indies won by eight runs to level the series 1-1. This ended their long 27-year wait for a Test win on Australian soil. Joseph was fittingly adjudged Player of the Match as well as the Series.
Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to the incredible encounter:
This has been one of the best test matches I’ve been privileged to witness.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) January 28, 2024
The fortress Gabba has been breached again by the West Indies
What a beautiful spell by Shamar Josheph 👏
Test cricket at its peak 🔥🔥🔥#AUSvWI #AUSvsWI #gabba #brisbane #shamarjoseph #austr
— Prakhar Patwardhan 🇮🇳 (@PrakharPatward1) January 28, 2024
One of the greatest win for West Indies of this century. Considering their team & situation, how everyone completely dismissed them & they absolutely smashed Aussies in their own FORT🤌🏼
Hope they never look back from here.
JOSEPH DESERVES A STATUE!#AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/MiIEkI0SHl
— Vibhor Jha (@vibhorjhatweets) January 28, 2024
Doesn’t happen very often…both the Australian Men’s & Women’s team losing!!! Important victories for SA Women & West Indies Men in Test cricket. Great for the global game!!!
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) January 28, 2024
West Indies beating Australia after two decades in test matches. Well done @windiescricket and Shamar Joseph. #AUSvsWI
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 28, 2024
Are you not entertained.
— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) January 28, 2024
What a win for @windiescricket, incredible scenes! All eyes now on @englandcricket 🤞 Test cricket at it’s best ❤️
— Jos Buttler (@josbuttler) January 28, 2024
So so rapt for @windiescricket just now at the #GABBATest 👏🤸🏽😎 Watta win! Take a bow Shamar Joseph 🚀🏏 #sevenfor 👏 #AUSvsWI
— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) January 28, 2024
The Shamar Joseph fairytale! Special scenes👏
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) January 28, 2024
Great win for West Indies. Test cricket how good !!!
— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) January 28, 2024
What a special performance by the West Indies, showed raw talent and fighting spirit can defy all odds. Congratulations @windiescricket
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) January 28, 2024
Whoohoooo… Shamar Joseph 🤸♀️🤸♀️🤸♀️🤸♀️🤸♀️ #AUSvsWI What a story … it’s a great day for the @windiescricket .. Congratulations .. that was amazing guys !!!
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) January 28, 2024
What a remarkable moment for Shamar Joseph and West Indies cricket. The most remarkable test win that I can put my mind on, given the context
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) January 28, 2024
Take a bow Shamar Joseph 🙌🏽
Take a bow West Indies cricket 🙌🏽 #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/w83KOENZUg
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 28, 2024
Seeing @BrianLara in tears in the comm box tells you everything you need to know about Test cricket and what it means .. @FoxCricket 🙌🙌
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 28, 2024
What a Victory for @windiescricket against @CricketAus in Australia #WIvsAUS
— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) January 28, 2024
WEST INDIES!
— Mickey Arthur (@Mickeyarthurcr1) January 28, 2024
Woo wee…what a victory for @windiescricket so happy for them!!! @7cricket Shamar Joseph thank you for taking a punt on cricket 🏏 pic.twitter.com/CYUJ6tBHx4
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) January 28, 2024
What a spell Shamar Joesph🤯#AUSvsWI
— Devdutt Padikkal (@devdpd07) January 28, 2024
2 Great Test matches being played simultaneously .. exactly why we need Test match windows where only Test cricket is being played .. #AUSvsWI #INDvsENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 28, 2024
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