After Starc’s sizzling spell, batters ensure Day 1 belonged to Australia in Adelaide
The opening day of the Pink Ball Test at the Adelaide Oval was all about Australia, and their continued dominance in day-night Tests at home.
West Indies failed to handle an incisive spell of pace bowling from Mitchell Starc as the hosts went down to Australia by 133 runs under D/L Method in the first One-day International at the Kensington Oval on Wednesday (IST).
The left-arm pacer took 5/48 while new-ball partner Josh Hazlewood captured 3/11 as West Indies fell for 123 in 26.2 overs, well short of their revised target of 257 for victory off 49 overs.
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Earlier, new Australia skipper Alex Carey smashed a workman-like 67 off 87 balls to guide the tourists to 252/9 in 49 overs.
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West Indies captain Kieron Pollard top-scored with a 56 off 57 balls and Hayden Walsh Jr (20) were the only players to reach 20. Pollard, who hit five fours and three sixes, inspired a 68-run, seventh wicket partnership with Alzarri Joseph (17) to hold the innings together.
When Australia batted earlier in the day, Walsh followed up his brilliance in the recent five-match T20 International series. He finished with a career-best 5/39 off 10 overs to limit the Australian run pursuit.
He returned the best figures by a West Indian leg-spinner in history, beating the 4/26 by Rajendra Dhanraj back in 1996. Walsh was also the first West Indian spinner to take a five-wicket haul since Sunil Narine had 6/27 against South Africa five years ago.
He was supported by fast bowler Joseph (2/40) and left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein (2/50), both of whom claimed two wickets.
Australia captain Alex Carey top-scored with 67 while Ashton Turner struck a breezy 49 off 45 balls, the pair staging a fifth wicket stand of 104.
The two teams will return to the same venue on July 22 for the second ODI.
Brief scores: Australia 252/9 in 49 overs (J Philippe 39, A Carey 67, A Turner 49; H Walsh 5/39, A Joseph 2/40) beat West Indies 123 in 26.2 overs (K Pollard 56; M Starc 5/48, J Hazlewood 3/11) by 133 runs (D/L Method).
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