West Indies dismal loss to Australia by 10 wickets in the opening Test of two-match Frank Worrell Trophy at Adelaide Oval in two days and a session, questions the viability of playing these minnows of the cricket Test scene.
The current West Indies side is totally at the other end of the spectrum, when compared to the time they were the Kings of World Cricket from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s.
Names like Clive Lloyd, “the Master Blaster” Isaac Vivian Richards, Desmond Haynes, Gordon Greenidge and Richie Richardson rolled off the tongue as the elite batsmen of that era.
There was a parade of quick bowlers headed by Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner, Colin Croft, Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose in support.
To top it off they produced one of the first true wicketkeeper-batsmen Jeff Dujon.
Last week Australia, on a pitch described by Adelaide Oval curator Damian Hough as disappointing, bowled the visitors out of just 188, and it was fair to say, except for “Player of the Match” Travis Head the other 10 Aussies weren’t convincing at the batting crease either.
Usman Khawaja made 45, by was dropped by keeper Joshua Da Silva early in his innings, with Nathan Lyon next best on 24, slogging at the end.
Threatening to win the game within two days, Josh Hazlewood had the “school boy” figures of 4/2 from his first handful of overs, with the Windies reeling in their second innings at 4/19.
They recovered to be 5/73 before a LBW decision was reversed against Justin Greaves and Australia would need just four wickets on the third morning.
Hazlewood collected another scalps to claim a five-wicket haul and nine for the match, where he became the 11th Aussie to claim 250 Test victims.
Skipper Patrick Cummins also took four first innings wickets.
Pleasingly there were some embryonic signs comes out of the Ashes of West Indies cricket.
In his second test match classy left handed number three Kirk McKenzie made an accomplished 50 in the first innings and got a start with 26 in the second dig.
The most inspiring story from the West Indians perspective is that of 24-year-old quick Shamar Joseph.
From the remote Guyanese village of Baracara, which has a population of just 350, he made an entertaining 36 batting at number 11 in the first innings and then excelled with the ball.
He then started his test career in style with the wicket of Steve Smith with his first ball and finished with a five-wicket haul, bowing to the crowd after the Aussie first innings.
Joseph also sent a scare around the Adelaide Oval, when he struck Khawaja with a well-directed bouncer in the short second innings run chase.
Khawaja was forced to retire hurt and Marnus Labuschagne came to the crease to see his adopted country to victory.
The second and final game of the 2024 Sir Frank Worrell Trophy matches between Australia and the West Indies will start in Brisbane this Thursday, January 25.
