Bridgetown, Barbados – June 25, 2025
Sometimes, Test cricket doesn’t need huge crowds or flashy moments to remind us why it’s the purest form of the game. All it needs is one good pitch, a few fired-up fast bowlers, and two proud teams with something to prove.
That’s exactly what unfolded on Day 1 of the Australia vs West Indies Test match at the iconic Kensington Oval in Barbados.
Table of Contents
AUS Wins the Toss… but Not the Day
Australian captain Pat Cummins won the toss and, following cricket’s age-old wisdom on good batting pitches, chose to bat first. But by the end of the day, that decision seemed more hopeful than strategic.
Australia were bowled out for just 180, a score that stunned many and exposed some deep cracks in the team’s top order.
🧊 Cold Start for a New-Look Aussie Top Order
Let’s talk about the elephant in the dressing room: Australia’s top four.
With David Warner retired and big changes underway in the lead-up to the Ashes later this year, Australia tried a new-look top order featuring:
- Sam Konstas
- Cameron Green (promoted to No. 3)
- Josh Inglis
But the fresh faces didn’t bring fresh fortunes.
- Konstas, just 19 years old and carrying the hopes of many, was trapped LBW for 19. A good ball, yes—but the nerves were visible.
- Green, playing out of position at No. 3, lasted just 7 balls before being dismissed for 3.
- Inglis, in at 4, fared no better. A faint edge and gone for 5.
In the blink of an eye, Australia were 22/3, and suddenly it felt like the Aussies were still stuck in travel mode.
đź’Ş Khawaja & Head: Calm Amid Chaos
When everything around you is falling apart, you look to experience. And Usman Khawaja brought just that.
Partnered with Travis Head, the two left-handers brought a sense of calm and balance. It wasn’t flashy cricket—it was gutsy. They rebuilt brick by brick, dodging sharp bouncers, nibbling seamers, and keeping the scoreboard moving with smart singles.
Together, they added 89 runs, and for a while, it looked like Australia were crawling their way back into the game.
But just as they neared safety, Head was dismissed for a well-made 59, trying to drive through cover but edging behind.
Then Khawaja followed for 47, edging a beauty from Jayden Seales. The rebuilding effort crumbled, and the collapse resumed.
🔥 Seales & Joseph: The Caribbean Thunder Returns
West Indies cricket fans have waited for years to see their fast bowlers dominate a top team, and today, they got it.
The bowling duo of:
- Jayden Seales: 5/60
- Shamar Joseph: 4/46
…was nothing short of spectacular.
Joseph bowled with heart. He bent his back, hit the deck hard, and let the Aussies know they weren’t in Sydney anymore.
Seales, on the other hand, bowled smart. His lines were immaculate, and his wickets were well-earned. He kept teasing the outside edge, and the Aussie batters kept falling into the trap.
They bowled in partnership, hunted together, and tore through the middle and lower order like a hurricane.
Australia went from 111/3 to 180 all-out in just under 30 overs.
💥 Australia’s Scorecard: A Tale of Trouble
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Konstas | 19 | 14 | LBW (Joseph) |
| Usman Khawaja | 47 | 81 | Caught |
| Cameron Green | 3 | 7 | Bowled |
| Josh Inglis | 5 | 15 | Caught |
| Travis Head | 59 | 71 | Caught |
| Pat Cummins | 12 | 16 | Caught |
| Starc, Lyon | Low scores | – | Tail Collapse |
Extras: 14 | Total: 180 all out
Only Khawaja and Head crossed 40. The rest? Folded under pressure.
🌴 West Indies with the Bat – Early Stumbles but Promising Signs
With the ball doing so much, there was excitement to see how West Indies’ batters would respond.
It didn’t start well.
- Mitchell Starc struck early, removing Brathwaite (4) and Campbell (7) in quick succession.
- Cummins and Hazlewood added pressure, reducing the West Indies to 33/4 at one stage.
But then came some much-needed resistance. A solid effort from the lower order and tail-end batters took West Indies to 57/4 at stumps—still trailing by 123 runs, but with wickets in hand and confidence gained.
đź“Š End of Day 1 Scorecard Snapshot australia vs west indies
Australia – 1st Innings: 180 all out
Top scorer: Travis Head – 59
Best bowler (WI): Jayden Seales – 5/60, Shamar Joseph – 4/46
West Indies – 1st Innings: 57/4 (at stumps)
Batting: Brathwaite 4, Campbell 7, Alick Athanaze 16*
Bowling (AUS): Starc – 2 wickets, Cummins & Hazlewood – 1 each
🧠What We Learned Today
✅ 1. Australia’s Top Order Needs Urgent Answers
The Warner-sized hole in Australia’s lineup is real. Konstas, Green, and Inglis are all talented, but Test cricket at this level demands more. The selectors will be watching closely.
âś… 2. West Indies Fast Bowling Is Back
Joseph and Seales reminded us of a time when the Caribbean ruled the pace charts. They were aggressive, sharp, and smart. And they did it without relying on spin or luck. Just pure skill.
âś… 3. The Pitch Has Bite
This isn’t a 600-run pitch. It has bounce, movement, and swing—perfect for seamers. Batters will need patience, and scores over 250 might be match-winning here.
🎯 Day 2 – What to Watch
- Can West Indies bat long? A lead of even 50–100 could put serious pressure on Australia in the second innings.
- Will Australia’s bowlers rise again? Starc and Cummins looked sharp. Early breakthroughs tomorrow could bring them right back.
- Can the pitch hold up? Expect a bit more spin and uneven bounce on Day 2. Lyon might play a role later in the day.
❤️ Final Thoughts – A Day of Real Test Cricket
There are days in Test cricket when things move slowly, where every ball feels like a dot in a painting. Then there are days like this one—where the canvas is splattered with bold strokes, dramatic dismissals, and rising tension.
Day 1 of Australia vs West Indies had it all.
It was raw.
It was honest.
It was Test cricket at its very best.
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