The first Test between West Indies and Australia at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Day 1 was a gripping contest marked by intense bowling spells and a highly contentious umpiring decision. West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph was on the verge of a memorable five-wicket haul, having ripped through the Australian top order with precision and pace. However, his milestone was denied after a controversial third umpire ruling disallowed what appeared to be a clean caught-behind dismissal of Travis Head, sparking widespread debate and disappointment among fans and players alike.
Shamar Joseph misses out on a fifer after third umpire rejects Travis Head’s catch
Joseph had been the star of the West Indies bowling attack, claiming four wickets for 46 runs and dismantling Australia’s batting lineup on a pitch that offered good bounce and carry. His spell was highlighted by dismissals of key batsmen including Cameron Green and Sam Konstas. The moment of controversy came in the 46th over when Joseph delivered a short and wide ball to Head, who swung hard but missed. The ball passed close to the bat, and Joseph immediately appealed for a caught behind.
Umpire Nitin Menon initially shook his head but then consulted the square leg umpire and referred the decision to third umpire Adrian Holdstock. UltraEdge technology confirmed an edge, but the crucial question was whether the ball carried cleanly to wicketkeeper Shai Hope. After a lengthy review, Holdstock ruled that there was no conclusive evidence of a clean catch, and Head was given not out. This decision denied Joseph the prestigious five-wicket haul and sparked significant criticism on social media and among cricket experts, who felt the evidence supported the catch.
Despite the reprieve, Head could only add six more runs before being dismissed later, and Joseph’s early dominance set the tone for the West Indies, who bowled Australia out for a modest 180 inside 57 overs. Jayden Seales complemented Joseph’s efforts by taking a five-wicket haul himself, finishing with 5-60, while Joseph’s figures of 4-46 reflected his control and menace throughout the innings.
Here’s the video:
Did Travis Head get lucky? 👀
Shamar Joseph thought he had him, but was it clean? Fair call or a missed chance? 🤔#WIvAUS pic.twitter.com/MKeZe2iRTT
— FanCode (@FanCode) June 25, 2025
Also READ: Fans erupt as Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph rock Australia on Day 1 of the first Test – WI vs AUS
Day 1 sees West Indies shine with the ball but falter in the field against Australia
While Joseph and Seales spearheaded a potent West Indies bowling attack, the hosts’ fielding left much to be desired, dropping four catches on the opening day, including crucial chances off Usman Khawaja and others. These missed opportunities could have made the Australian innings even shorter, but the bowlers maintained relentless pressure, exploiting the conditions expertly.
Australia’s batting was fragile, with only three players reaching double figures—Head (59), Khawaja (47), and captain Pat Cummins (28). The top order’s vulnerability was exposed repeatedly by Joseph’s pace and accuracy, reaffirming concerns about Australia’s next-generation batting lineup.
In response, the Australian pacers fought back late in the day, reducing West Indies to 57 for 4 by stumps. Mitchell Starc took two wickets, while Cummins and Josh Hazlewood picked up one each, setting the stage for a tense battle ahead.
Joseph’s spell was reminiscent of his previous heroics against Australia, including a seven-wicket haul in Brisbane that helped West Indies secure a historic Test win after 27 years. His ability to combine pace, accuracy, and aggression makes him a formidable opponent and a key player in this series.
Also WATCH: Shamar Joseph cleans up Beau Webster with an absolute peach on Day 1 of first Test – WI vs AUS
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