Australia vs West Indies Highlights, 1st Test Day 1: Scorecard and Match Action from Bridgetown.The opening day of the first Test match between West Indies and Australia at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados, on June 25, 2025, marked the start of the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle with a thrilling display of pace bowling from both sides.
Under the leadership of new West Indies captain Roston Chase, the hosts took on Pat Cummins’ Australia in a contest that saw 14 wickets tumble, with fast bowlers dominating proceedings. Australia, batting first after winning the toss, were bowled out for 180, largely due to the fiery spells of Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph. In response, West Indies struggled to 57/4 by stumps, trailing by 123 runs, as Australia’s pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood hit back hard. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the day’s action, capturing the intensity, key moments, and individual brilliance that defined this engrossing day of Test cricket.
Match Context and Toss
The Frank Worrell Trophy, a symbol of cricketing rivalry between West Indies and Australia, kicked off at the historic Kensington Oval, a venue where Australia have remained unbeaten in their last three Test visits since 2003. West Indies, aiming to end a 22-year drought for a home Test win against Australia, entered the match with a revamped squad under Roston Chase, who was playing his 50th Test and first as captain. The hosts handed a Test debut to Brandon King and welcomed back John Campbell and Shai Hope, the latter doubling as wicketkeeper. Australia, meanwhile, were without Steve Smith, sidelined by a finger injury from the 2023-25 WTC final, and Marnus Labuschagne, dropped for the first time in six years. Sam Konstas, the young opener, and Josh Inglis, fresh off a debut century against Sri Lanka, filled the gaps in the lineup.
Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat, anticipating a surface that appeared batsman-friendly but carried some unknowns, as he noted post-toss: “Looks a good wicket. Away series is always tough.” Roston Chase, however, expressed confidence in his team’s ability to play with “passion” and “Caribbean flair,” signaling an intent to challenge the top-ranked Test nation. The stage was set for a gripping contest, with both teams fielding potent pace attacks suited to the lively Barbados pitch, which former T20 World Cup winner Carlos Brathwaite described as having a hint of bounce reminiscent of the WACA.
Australia’s Innings: Seales and Joseph Steal the Show
Australia’s decision to bat first backfired spectacularly as West Indies’ pace duo of Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph exploited the seam-friendly conditions to devastating effect. The visitors’ batting lineup, featuring a blend of youth and experience, crumbled under relentless pressure, managing only 180 runs in 52.1 overs. Only Usman Khawaja (47 off 128 balls) and Travis Head (59 off 78 balls) offered significant resistance, while Pat Cummins’ quickfire 28 provided a late flourish. The rest of the batting order struggled, with just four players reaching double figures.
Early Blows: Shamar Joseph’s Fiery Opening Spell
Shamar Joseph, who had previously tormented Australia with a match-winning spell at the Gabba in 2024, picked up where he left off. The fiery pacer struck in the fourth over, trapping teenage opener Sam Konstas (3 off 15 balls) lbw with a nip-backer that beat the inside edge. West Indies reviewed the not-out call, and ball-tracking confirmed the ball was crashing into leg stump, giving the hosts an early breakthrough at 8/1. Konstas, under scrutiny after a lean Sheffield Shield season, couldn’t capitalize on his Boxing Day debut promise.
Cameron Green, promoted to number three, lasted just seven balls. Joseph produced a gem of a delivery, full and swinging away, that found Green’s edge for 3, caught in the cordon. Green had survived a dropped chance by debutant Brandon King at gully earlier, but his reprieve was short-lived. At 8/2, Australia were reeling, and Joseph’s raw pace and movement had set the tone.
Josh Inglis, replacing the injured Steve Smith, attempted to counterattack but fell for 5 off 15 balls. Seales, who was equally menacing, bowled a marginally short ball outside off that Inglis tried to pull. The ball got big on him, resulting in a top-edge that sailed high and was safely pouched by Shai Hope behind the stumps. Australia were in deep trouble at 22/3 after 15.1 overs, with Seales celebrating his first wicket of the day.
Khawaja and Head Fight Back
Usman Khawaja, the experienced opener, and Travis Head, known for his aggressive strokeplay, steadied the ship with a gritty 50-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Khawaja, dropped on 6 by Roston Chase at first slip, made the most of his life, anchoring the innings with a patient 47 off 128 balls, including four boundaries. Head, meanwhile, adopted a more attacking approach, capitalizing on loose deliveries to score at a brisk pace. His 59 off 78 balls, featuring six fours, included a particularly audacious uppish cover drive off Shamar Joseph that raced to the boundary.
The duo took Australia to 65/3 at lunch, with Khawaja on 32 and Head on 21. Their partnership reached 50 in 68 balls, providing a glimmer of hope for the visitors. However, the West Indies bowlers maintained their discipline, with Seales and Joseph consistently hitting testing lengths. Alzarri Joseph and Justin Greaves supported the frontline pacers, ensuring the pressure never relented.
Usman Khawaja, the experienced opener, and Travis Head, known for his aggressive strokeplay, steadied the ship with a gritty 50-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Khawaja, dropped on 6 by Roston Chase at first slip, made the most of his life, anchoring the innings with a patient 47 off 128 balls, including four boundaries. Head, meanwhile, adopted a more attacking approach, capitalizing on loose deliveries to score at a brisk pace. His 59 off 78 balls, featuring six fours, included a particularly audacious uppish cover drive off Shamar Joseph that raced to the boundary.
The duo took Australia to 65/3 at lunch, with Khawaja on 32 and Head on 21. Their partnership reached 50 in 68 balls, providing a glimmer of hope for the visitors. However, the West Indies bowlers maintained their discipline, with Seales and Joseph consistently hitting testing lengths. Alzarri Joseph and Justin Greaves supported the frontline pacers, ensuring the pressure never relented.
Post-Lunch Collapse
The tide turned decisively after lunch as West Indies tightened their grip. Shamar Joseph broke the fourth-wicket stand, dismissing Khawaja for 47. A short-of-length ball outside off tempted Khawaja into a pull shot, but he was early into the stroke, getting a bottom edge to Hope. The score read 102/4, and Joseph’s celebration underscored his growing reputation as Australia’s nemesis. His figures at this point were an impressive 2/30.
Travis Head reached his fifty shortly after, benefiting from two dropped catches by Brandon King in the field. However, his resistance ended on 59 when Justin Greaves, bowling a good-length ball on a fourth-stump line, induced a loose cover drive. Head’s thick edge was comfortably taken by Hope, leaving Australia at 137/5. Greaves’ solitary wicket (1/26) was a crucial blow, removing the danger man.
Beau Webster, making his Test debut, showed promise but was undone by a Shamar Joseph special just before tea. A full-length ball crashed into Webster’s off stump, sending it cartwheeling for a spectacular dismissal. Webster’s 11 off 34 balls ended, and Australia were 149/6 at tea, with the West Indies bowlers firmly in control.
Seales’ Fifer Seals Australia’s Fate
Post-tea, Australia’s collapse was swift. Jayden Seales, who had been relentless all day, ran through the lower order to claim his third career five-wicket haul, all on home soil. Alex Carey (8) edged a good-length ball to slip, where Kraigg Brathwaite held a sharp catch. Mitchell Starc (0) followed soon after, nicking Seales to Hope, who took his third catch of the innings. At 155/8, Australia’s hopes of crossing 200 seemed bleak.
Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon offered brief resistance with a 27-run stand off just 26 balls. Cummins, batting with aggression, smashed 28 off 18 balls, including three fours and a six, before miscuing a lofted shot to Brathwaite at mid-off off Alzarri Joseph. Seales wrapped up the innings by dismissing Josh Hazlewood (4), caught behind, to finish with figures of 5/60. Shamar Joseph’s 4/46 complemented Seales’ heroics, while Alzarri Joseph (1/38) and Justin Greaves (1/26) chipped in. Nathan Lyon remained unbeaten on 9, but Australia’s total of 180 in 52.1 overs was well below par.
Seales, reflecting on his performance, said, “To get a fifer on day one was very special. The plan was to bowl fuller with the new ball, and the pitch being slower than expected worked in our favor.” Shamar Joseph’s love for bowling against Australia was evident, as Seales noted, “He’s been special for us, and he loves performing against Australia.”
West Indies’ Reply: Australia’s Pacers Strike Back
With 20 overs remaining in the day, West Indies began their reply, needing 181 to take a first-innings lead. However, Australia’s pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood, widely regarded as one of the best in world cricket, ensured the hosts didn’t have it easy. By stumps, West Indies were 57/4, trailing by 123 runs, with debutant Brandon King (23 not out) and captain Roston Chase (1 not out) at the crease.
With 20 overs remaining in the day, West Indies began their reply, needing 181 to take a first-innings lead. However, Australia’s pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood, widely regarded as one of the best in world cricket, ensured the hosts didn’t have it easy. By stumps, West Indies were 57/4, trailing by 123 runs, with debutant Brandon King (23 not out) and captain Roston Chase (1 not out) at the crease.
Early Wickets for Starc
Mitchell Starc, bowling with pace and swing, struck twice in the opening exchanges. Kraigg Brathwaite, the former captain, was dismissed for a duck, edging a full-length ball to Alex Carey. John Campbell (4) followed, caught in the slips as Starc exploited the seam movement on offer. At 12/2, West Indies were in trouble, mirroring Australia’s early struggles.
Keacy Carty (14) and Brandon King attempted to rebuild, adding 41 runs for the third wicket. King, despite his fielding lapses earlier, showed composure in his Test debut, striking three boundaries in his unbeaten 23. Carty, however, fell to a peach of a delivery from Pat Cummins just before stumps. A good-length ball outside off nipped away, catching Carty’s edge, and Carey completed the catch. The score read 53/3, and Cummins’ solitary wicket (1/7) was a testament to his accuracy.
Hazlewood’s Nightwatchman Strike
West Indies sent in Jomel Warrican as a nightwatchman, but the move backfired. Josh Hazlewood, bowling with relentless control, dismissed Warrican for a two-ball duck, caught in the slips. Hazlewood’s figures of 1/13 underscored his economy, while Starc’s 2/35 included the key scalps of the openers. The final over of the day, bowled by Cummins, saw Roston Chase get off the mark with a single through mid-on, ensuring he would face the first ball on day two.
Key Performances and Stats
Jayden Seales (WI): 5/60, third career five-wicket haul, all at home. His fuller lengths exploited the pitch’s slowness and carry.
Shamar Joseph (WI): 4/46, continued his dominance against Australia, with 17 of his 34 career wickets against them.
Travis Head (AUS): 59 off 78 balls, top-scored for Australia with a counterattacking knock, surviving two dropped catches.Usman Khawaja (AUS): 47 off 128 balls, anchored the innings but fell short of a half-century.
Mitchell Starc (AUS): 2/35, removed both West Indies openers to give Australia a strong finish.
Pat Cummins (AUS): 1/7 and 28 runs, led from the front with a crucial wicket and a cameo with the bat.
Josh Hazlewood (AUS): 1/13, dismissed the nightwatchman with tight bowling.
Brandon King (WI): 23 not out, showed promise on debut despite dropping three catches in the field.
The day saw 14 wickets fall, the most at Kensington Oval in a single day in the last 14 years. Ten wickets came via edges, highlighting the seamers’ dominance on a pitch offering movement and carry. Australia’s batting collapse exposed vulnerabilities in their new-look top order, while West Indies’ late stumble ensured the game remained evenly poised.
Analysis and Outlook
Day one was a bowlers’ paradise, with both teams’ pacers thriving in conditions that rewarded disciplined bowling. West Indies’ decision to bowl fuller lengths paid dividends, as Seales and Joseph dismantled Australia’s batting. However, the hosts’ failure to capitalize with the bat, losing four wickets in the final session, handed Australia a slight edge, with some analysts suggesting the day was “55% Australia’s” due to their late fightback.
For West Indies, Brandon King and Roston Chase will need to dig in on day two to erase the 123-run deficit. Shai Hope, Justin Greaves, and the lower order will be crucial if the hosts are to build a lead. Australia, meanwhile, will rely on their pace trio to continue exploiting the pitch’s assistance, with Nathan Lyon potentially coming into play if the surface begins to offer turn.
Rain is forecasted for days two and four, but it’s unlikely to cause significant disruptions. With the match delicately balanced, day two promises more intense cricket as both teams vie for control in this crucial opening Test of the Frank Worrell Trophy.
Scorecard Summary
Australia 1st Innings: 180 all out (52.1 overs)
Travis Head 59 (78 balls, 6x4)
Usman Khawaja 47 (128 balls, 4x4)
Pat Cummins 28 (18 balls, 3x4, 1x6)
Jayden Seales 5/60, Shamar Joseph 4/46
West Indies 1st Innings: 57/4 (20 overs)
Brandon King 23* (44 balls, 3x4)
Keacy Carty 14 (31 balls, 2x4)
Mitchell Starc 2/35, Pat Cummins 1/7, Josh Hazlewood 1/13
West Indies trail by 123 runs
Day one of the first Test between West Indies and Australia was a rollercoaster of emotions, with pace bowling reigning supreme. Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph’s heroics gave West Indies the upper hand early, but Australia’s late surge with the ball ensured the contest remained finely balanced. As the teams head into day two, the battle for supremacy in Bridgetown promises to intensify, with both sides eager to stamp their authority in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.
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