The opening Test between West Indies and Australia at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown has delivered a gripping contest, with Day 3’s first session providing a moment of pure fast-bowling brilliance. As Australia sought to consolidate their slender lead, West Indies’ Shamar Joseph produced a searing delivery that not only dismissed the dangerous Travis Head but also reignited hopes for the hosts in this closely fought battle.
Shamar Joseph’s nasty in-swinger floors Travis Head on Day 3 of the Bridgetown Test
Head, Australia’s in-form left-hander, was anchoring the innings and had just completed a fluent half-century, steering his side towards a position of strength. But in the 53rd over, Joseph unleashed a delivery that epitomized the unpredictability and menace of the Kensington Oval pitch. The ball, delivered from back of a length on the fifth stump, jagged sharply back into Head and kept alarmingly low. Head, attempting to hop back and work it square, was completely undone as the ball skidded under his bat and struck him flush on the back leg. The left-hander tumbled to the ground, floored by the pitch’s treachery and Joseph’s skill, and could only rise with a rueful smile as the umpire’s finger went up for LBW.
Head’s gritty 61 off 95 balls (8 fours) had been vital for Australia, but there was little he could do against a delivery that combined seam movement with variable bounce—a nightmare for any batter. Joseph’s celebrappeal and the subsequent breakthrough provided West Indies with a crucial opening, breaking a 100-run partnership and exposing the Australian lower order at a pivotal moment.
Here’s the video:
The partnership is broken by…guess who?#WIvAUS | #FullAhEnergy pic.twitter.com/QBGlYMdkyU
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) June 27, 2025
Also WATCH: Shamar Joseph misses out on 5-wicket haul as Travis Head survives controversial catch on Day 1 of first Test
Australia hold strong against West Indies in the first session of Day 3
By lunch on Day 3, the match had swung back into the balance. Australia, having been bowled out for 180 in their first innings and trailing by 10 after West Indies’ 190, began their second innings with caution but soon found themselves under pressure from some incisive Windies bowling. The top order faltered again, with wickets falling at regular intervals: Usman Khawaja (15), Sam Konstas (5), Josh Inglis (12), and Cameron Green (15) all departed cheaply, victims of the relentless pace and movement offered by Joseph, Jayden Seales, and Justin Greaves.
Head and Beau Webster then staged a much-needed recovery, adding 100 runs for the fifth wicket and pushing Australia’s lead past 150. Head’s dismissal, however, just before lunch, left Australia at 181/5 in 57 overs, with Webster unbeaten on 49 and Alex Carey on 8. The visitors now lead by 171 runs, but with only five wickets in hand and a pitch showing increasing signs of variable bounce, the contest remains finely poised.
Also WATCH: Shai Hope’s scintillating straight drive as West Indies fightback against Australia on Day 2 of first Test
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