Recent Match Report – Australia vs West Indies, West Indies tour of Australia, 2nd Test

West Indies 311 and 193 beats Australia 289 for December 9 and 207 (Smith 91*, Green 42, S Joseph 7-68) by 8 runs

Shamar Joseph challenged his injured toe and sprinted around the Gabba in jubilation after his remarkable seven-wicket haul propelled the West Indies to a monumental upset over Australia in a thrilling eight-run victory in the second Test.

Shortly after dinner, Joseph bowled Josh Hazlewod to cap his heroic performance and end West Indies' two-decade drought against Australia.

Steven Smith was the only batter able to thwart Joseph and scored his maiden half-century as opener to finish unbeaten on 91 not out. He had a gripping battle with Joseph, who reached speeds of around 150 kmph and bowled 11.5 overs just before and after dinner.

Australia resumed after dinner at 187 for 8 and are still 29 runs short. In the first over after the restart, Alzarri Joseph dropped Nathan Lyon in his follow-through only to produce a slight edge off the next delivery to put West Indies on the brink of a famous victory.

As the field stretched, a nerveless Smith deployed an outrageous scoop for six that was more reminiscent of T20 cricket and reduced Australia's target to 14 runs. But Joseph proved unstoppable as he finished his all-time great performance in style and with the figures of 7 for 68.

This meant the series ended 1-1 and brought the curtain down on the Australian Summer Test, with the hosts surprisingly challenged by inexperienced Pakistan and West Indies teams on difficult surfaces, with none of the five matches entering the fifth day.

Australia tasted defeat at home for the first time since losing to India at the Gabba in January 2021.

Like Pakistan earlier in the summer, a young West Indies became a crowd favorite thanks to their entertaining style of play and liveliness led by Joseph, who single-handedly brought his team back into the competition.

Australia looked to be heading towards the target of 216 at 113 for 2 until Joseph turned the match around with the wickets of Cameron Green and Travis Head in consecutive balls. He then dismissed Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey as Australia lost 4 for 23 and were still 80 runs short of victory.

Joseph claimed his second five-wicket win in as many matches by dismissing Mitchell Starc, who had briefly counter-attacked, just before dinner as he fell to his knees with his head on the ground.

But he overcame the barrier of pain and exhaustion to eliminate Pat Cummins.

There were serious doubts over whether Joseph could play after being hit on the toe by a Starc delivery late on the third day which forced him to retire injured.

But he was cleared of a fracture and endured a spell of overcast, wet weather that shook Australia and set up an after-dinner grandstand finish.

There were fears that the day's play would be significantly disrupted after heavy downpours hit Brisbane overnight and into the morning. But the bad weather cleared and play resumed as scheduled, with Australia resuming at 60 for 2 and needing 156 more runs.

After starting aggressively late on the third day, with some remarkable driving, Smith focused on singles bowling. But Green was rooted to the crease and determined to survive as Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph bowled a dangerous length outside off stump.

Green scored just 13 from his first 54 deliveries before pounced on a rare Roach delivery that strayed onto the pads to score his first boundary. He received three points in the next round after a mid-round ground attempt from skipper Kraigg Brathwaite.

Smith looked comfortable until he was faced with a menacing delivery from Alzarri Joseph which flew over vacant third slip to conjure up the 50-run partnership.

West Indies needed a spark and Shamar Joseph made an immediate impact when he came into the attack producing a thick edge from Green which flew over the slips.

Green began to settle in until Joseph produced a rearing delivery that hit his back elbow and fell to the stumps. He then delivered, on the next delivery, a scintillating yorker that cleanly bowled Head and left Australia stunned.

He completed a royal pair for Head, who suffered his third golden duck in his last six innings. Joseph failed to complete a hat-trick, but Marsh quickly managed to move to second slip and clean up Alex Carey with another gem of a yorker.

Starc decided to take up bowling and it proved effective until he finished. The game was extended for 20 minutes after Joseph sent Cummins away, but he couldn't get past Smith and Lyon.

But Joseph was not to be denied as he finished with one final epic celebration to conclude a stunning first series.