'Head's Heroics and Hazlewood's Havoc Propel Australia to Dominant Position'
Travis Head's Century and Josh Hazlewood's Bowling Brilliance Dominate West Indies in Adelaide Test
In the first Test at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday, Travis Head smashed a quick 119 and Josh Hazlewood tore up the West Indies top order, setting Australia up for an easy win.
In the low-scoring match, Head's eighth Test century—his second on his home ground—aided Australia in posting 283 all out for a comfortable lead of 95.
The West Indies, behind by 22 and facing loss in three days, ended Day II on a shaky 73/6 after Hazlewood unleashed a four-wicket burst.
Joshua Da Silva was on the opposite end when Justin Greaves fell for 24 to the last delivery of the day.
"It seems like there is more pace in the wicket and a sharper seam movement than it was on Wednesday." Thus, it is pleasant, Hazlewood admitted.
"Even if you are periodically hit for a four, you are still in the game.”
West Indies made repeated advances to remain in the contest when Australia resumed on 59/2. Cameron Green (14), who took over at No. 4 when Steve Smith went to the top of the order, was unimpressive.
Green was caught off guard and dismissed by Shamar Joseph (5/94), while Greaves, another rookie, dismissed Usman Khawaja (45), who was caught in the slip.
Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey were out quickly, but Head quickly mounted a counterattack, reaching his century with a driving four off spinner Gudakesh Motie, and celebrated reaching the landmark in style. During his knock, the left-hander, who smashed Shamar for back-to-back sixes, reached over 3,000 Test runs.
Kavem Hodge dismissed Head, who was pursuing Alzarri Joseph, with a well-timed grab close to the rope.
After taking five wickets, Shamar removed Nathan Lyon (24) but the world Test champions Australia were still leading when the West Indies batted for the second time in two days.
The guests were then startled by Hazlewood, who didn't give them a chance to relax. The Windies never bounced back.
All-rounders Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers are absent for the West Indies, who haven't won a Test match in Australia since 1997, since they've chosen to play in more lucrative T20 leagues.
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