The West Indies Cricket Test Team won the second test match at Gabba, their first-ever test match win in 27 years! The last time they beat Australia was in 1997. During the test match, Shamar Joseph, the West Indian bowler, hesitated to take the field following a toe-crushing delivery from Australian pacer Starc on day 3 of the Gabba test. But Shamar Joseph not only came back but became the match-winner, as he took 7/68 to win the game for the West Indies with eight runs. Like every great win needs some inspiration, this West Indies team got inspiration from Australian Rodney Hogg's ugly words directed at them, calling them pathetic and hopeless to prove a point. Kraig Braithwaite, the West Indian captain, shared the details, saying, "Mr Rodney Hogg said we were pathetic and hopeless. So that was our inspiration. We wanted to show the world we are not pathetic." And I must ask him, Are these muscles big enough for him?."
The series began with the first test match played at Adelaide and saw Australia dominate the proceedings, winning over the touring West Indies team comprehensively by 10 wickets in just 3 days. No one has imagined the West Indies team would fight so strongly in the second test match to destroy World No. 1 Australia.
Gabba hosted the second and final test match and the only day-night test match of the series. The West Indies won the toss for the match and elected to bat to score 311 runs in their first innings, and Australia scored 289/9 but bizarrely declared their first innings. Pat Cummins, the Australian cricket captain, declared the innings when he was playing at 64, and Josh Hazlewood was yet to bat. Australia was at a 22-run deficit when they declared.
The West Indies' second innings looked as if they justified the declaration decision of Pat Cummins, as they meekly surrendered before Australia's bowling attack. They were bowled out for 193, with the excellent bowling spells of Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, who bagged three wickets each. Australia were given a target of 215 runs, but all they could reach was 207 runs in 50.5 overs. Shamar Joseph scalped seven Australian wickets and destroyed the Australian batting lineup. Australia lost by 8 runs.
" data-image-caption="
Jubilant West Indies Team
" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/fortaze.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/West-Indies-Win-At-Gabba-1.jpg?fit=299%2C168&ssl=1" class="wp-image-1769 size-full" src="https://fortaze.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/West-Indies-Win-At-Gabba-1.jpg" alt="Jubilant West Indies Team After win Against Australia" width="299" height="168" /> Jubilant West Indies Team After Win Against Australia
The madness of the early declaration to the ugly words of Rodney Hogg looks like they were the culprits of the Australian loss to the West Indies. Not to undermine the exceptional display of skills by Shamar Joseph.
" data-image-caption="
Australian Batting Woes
" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/fortaze.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Australia-Batting-Woes.jpg?fit=275%2C183&ssl=1" class="wp-image-1773 size-full" src="https://fortaze.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Australia-Batting-Woes.jpg" alt="Australia Batting Woes" width="275" height="183" /> Australia Batting Woes
But again, there is a lesson to be learned. Never demean or humiliate others. The price you will pay for it is much more, a painful loss here for the Australian cricket team.