5 Takeaways From the First Cricket Test Against the West Indies

Josh Hazlewood of Australia holds up the match ball as he acknowledges the crowd after taking 5 wickets in the West Indies second innings during day three of the Mens Test match series between Australia and West Indies at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia, on Jan. 19, 2024. Paul Kane/Getty Images

Australia has retained the Frank Worrell Trophy, achieved in just seven sessions of play, showing the stark contrast in fortunes between the two teams.

At the historic Adelaide Oval, the West Indies faced a humbling ten-wicket defeat in the first Test, a result that laid bare the gulf in class and execution between them and Pat Cummins’ formidable Australian squad.

This victory, clinching a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, was not just a triumph of skill and strategy but a reflection of a cricketing legacy that continues to thrive under Cummins’ stewardship, leaving the West Indies clutching at the shadows of their former glory.

Is Steve Smith Relishing His New Role?

The role of the opening batsman in cricket is without a doubt, the most challenging and unforgiving position in the team. Here, one confronts not just the cream of the bowling crop but also grapples with the caprices of a fresh, lively ball.

This is a stark contrast to the more navigable waters faced by those batting down the order, where the ball is older, and the bowlers, wearied.

In this high-stakes arena, Steve Smith’s recent performances—scoring a modest 12 runs off 26 balls in his first innings and 11 not out from 22 in the next—are under the microscope.

These numbers, while not dismal, are a far cry from the resounding affirmations needed to lay claim to this coveted batting position.

The jury is still out on whether Smith can make the opener’s spot his own. His prowess with the bat is undisputed, but the unique demands of opening the batting are a different beast altogether.

Smith’s journey in this role is not just about scoring runs; it’s about adapting to and mastering one of the most challenging roles in cricket. Only time will tell if he rises to the occasion or finds this particular challenge a bridge too far.

Usman Khawaja Injury

In a dramatic climax that could only unfold on a cricket field, the West Indies debutant Shamar Joseph delivered a moment of raw, unbridled intensity.

With just a solitary run standing between victory and defeat, Joseph unleashed a ferocious bouncer that found its mark on Usman Khawaja’s grill. Khawaja was visibly shaken, the shock of the blow etched on his face as he spat out blood, a grim testament to the delivery’s ferocity.

The shoes of cricketer Usman Khawaja are pictured during an Australian nets session the at the WACA in Perth, Australia on Dec. 11, 2023. Paul Kane/Getty Images

The responsibility of clinching the win fell to Marnus Labuschagne, who, within a few deliveries, steered the team to victory. Yet, amidst this triumph, the shadow of Khawaja’s injury lingered.

Coach Andrew McDonald’s words post-match were cautiously optimistic. “Hopeful that he will be OK,” he said.

Travis Head Man of the Match

In a display of sheer cricketing prowess that captivated the Adelaide Oval, Travis Head emerged as the Player of the Match, outshining even Josh Hazlewood’s impressive haul of nine wickets.

Head’s masterful innings of 119 runs was not just a testament to his skill but a poignant narrative of triumph in front of a home crowd.

The Adelaide Oval, a crucible of cricketing history, bore witness to this momentous feat, with nearly 17,000 spectators drawn in for what amounted to a mere 100 minutes of play.

For the Adelaide faithful and Head himself, this wasn’t just another match-winning performance; it was a celebration of local heroism, a triumph not only of skill but of enduring connection to place and community.

West Indies Have a Bleak Test Cricket Future

For a quarter of a century, the once-mighty West Indies have been adrift in the realm of Test cricket, a shadow of their former glory.

The stark reality is this: the golden era of West Indies dominance in Test cricket is likely relegated to the annals of history, eclipsed by the glittering allure and financial magnetism of T20 franchise leagues.

Shamar Joseph of the West Indies celebrates the wicket of Nathan Lyon of Australia during day two of the First Test in the Mens Test match series between Australia and West Indies at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia, on Jan. 18, 2024. Paul Kane/Getty Images

In the here and now, the West Indies’ prowess across cricket formats is, to put it mildly, underwhelming.

There’s a flicker of hope for a resurgence in the shorter versions of the game, but the long haul of Test cricket remains a steep, seemingly insurmountable mountain. It’s far from an exaggeration to suggest that the future of West Indies cricket, particularly in the Test arena, is teetering on the brink of bleakness.

The question that looms large is whether this once indomitable force can rediscover its spirit and prowess, or if the seductive siren song of T20 cricket will continue to lure its talent away from the traditional bastions of the sport.

Is Cricket the ‘Wokest’ of Sports?

The confluence of sport and politics finds its peculiar Australian flavour in the cricket grounds. This year, as the nation approaches its Second Test, the ghost of Australia Day looms. Its omission from the official discourse mirrors a broader cultural shift, one that sees tradition sidestepped, like a tricky bouncer, in favour of a more contemporary narrative.

The decision to not utter “Australia Day” during the Second Test is a predictable outcome of recent socio-political developments.

The possibility of the referendum’s “No” result, led to the extraordinary step of offering counselling to players, is reflective of a deeper national introspection.

In this evolving landscape, even the captain has not been spared, labelled a “woke far left climate catastrophist clown.”

It appears that the cricket field is no longer just a battleground for runs and wickets, but a stage for ideological showmanship and social commentary.

One half expects that the cricket luncheon, once a straightforward affair of sandwiches and tea, might now feature the likes of smashed mealworm on toast.