Australia produced a dominant all-round performance to crush the West Indies by 159 runs in the first Test at Kensington Oval, wrapping up the match well inside three days.
The West Indies were bundled out for just 141 in their second innings, failing to come close to their target of 301 on a pitch that had started to misbehave.
Josh Hazlewood led Australia’s charge with the ball, delivering a lethal spell of pace bowling to finish with 5-43. He tore through the West Indies top and middle order, claiming four wickets in quick succession after Mitchell Starc had dismissed Kraigg Brathwaite in the opening over.
“There were a few cracks just short of a length, so it was about hitting the right areas and being patient,” Hazlewood said after the match.
Earlier in the day, Australia built on their overnight total of 136-4 with key contributions from Travis Head (61), Beau Webster (63), and Alex Carey, who top-scored with a fluent 65.
Head and Webster added a 102-run stand for the fifth wicket before Head was trapped lbw by Shamar Joseph just before lunch. Carey continued the momentum with some brisk lower-order batting, helping Australia reach 310 in their second innings.
Joseph once again impressed with the ball, claiming 5-87 and finishing with match figures of 9-133. But his efforts were overshadowed by sloppy West Indian fielding, with seven dropped catches proving costly — including a key miss off Head when he was on 22.
Chasing a steep target, the West Indies never looked settled. Only Shai Hope (30) and Justin Greaves (38 not out) showed some resistance. Shamar Joseph added some late fireworks with a quickfire 44 off 22 balls, but the collapse was already beyond repair.
Nathan Lyon closed out the innings by dismissing Joseph and Jayden Seales, while Marnus Labuschagne added to the pressure with a sharp run out.
Captain Pat Cummins praised his team’s effort, saying, “We adapted well to the conditions and stuck to our plans. It was a complete performance.”
The victory gives Australia a 1-0 lead in the series, with the next Test promising another fierce contest if the West Indies can regroup.
