NEW DELHI: In the second Test at the Gabba in Brisbane on Sunday, the West Indies stunned Australia by eight runs thanks to an incredible stint from injured pace bowler Shamar Joseph.
After being hit on the toe by a Mitchell Starc yorker on Saturday night and retiring hurt, Joseph required scans. On Sunday, the West Indies defeated Australia for 207, their first victory in Australia since 1997. Joseph took 7-68.
Australia were the clear favorites going into the fourth day of play, trailing 216 to win and having Steve Smith and Cameron Green at the wicket.
Since Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph, the opening bowlers, did not pose much of a threat, captain Kraigg Brathwaite pitched the ball to Joseph 45 minutes in, and the outcome was nearly instantaneous.
Joseph's extra pace proved costly, but it was a problem for all the hitters, and the more wickets he took, the more assured the West Indies were.
After bowling Green and Travis Head with consecutive deliveries, he concluded the first session with lengthy dismissals of Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Starc, Alex Carey, and Pat Cummins.
He ended the match by clean bowling Josh Hazlewood, capping an incredible performance.
"I was just thinking of the basics, get it at the top of off," Joseph said.
"I was just trying to find my rhythm and that was important for me."
Smith held tall for the Australians despite all the chaos, responding to his detractors with an incredible 91-run innings, but it was all in vain as the underdogs shocked the world Test champions.
(With AFP inputs)
