Pace Bowlers Run Riot in Bridgetown: 14 Wickets Fall as Australia, West Indies Trade Blows on Day 1

A day of intense cricket in Bridgetown saw 14 wickets fall as Australia and the West Indies battled it out with ball in hand. The hosts initially dismissed Australia for just 180, but then faltered themselves, ending the day on 57-4 at Kensington Oval.

West Indies fast bowlers Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph proved to be a formidable force, dismantling the Australian batting lineup. Seales claimed an impressive five wickets for 60 runs, while Joseph supported strongly with four for 46.

Driven to secure their first home Test victory against Australia in over two decades, the West Indies bowlers maintained relentless pressure throughout the day's play.

Joseph, fresh from his remarkable seven-wicket performance against Australia in Brisbane just 17 months prior, continued his dominant form by removing four of the first six Australian batsmen.

Australia's innings was plagued by missed opportunities in the field. Debutant Brandon King was particularly unlucky, dropping three catches at gully, while Captain Roston Chase also put down a vital chance when Usman Khawaja was on six.

Khawaja capitalized on his reprieve, scoring 47 runs and forming a crucial 89-run partnership with Travis Head after Australia had stumbled to 22-3 early in the session. Head led the scoring with a rapid 59, dispatching nine boundaries in his 78-ball stay.

Australia's decision to bat first after winning the toss was quickly questioned as Joseph dismissed Sam Konstas and Cameron Green cheaply.

Seales added to Australia's woes, claiming the wicket of Josh Inglis before lunch, and then dismissing Alex Carey just before tea. He completed his five-wicket haul by removing Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood in quick succession.

"This was really special for me," Seales commented. "I was injured when I last played a Test against them, so to come back here and get five was really satisfying. With the new ball, we knew we had to bowl a bit fuller. This pitch was also a bit slower than the Australians would have expected, and that worked in our favour, with them playing at balls they didn't have to."

However, the Australian pace attack responded emphatically in the final session. Starc struck back by dismissing both West Indies openers, Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell.

Cummins joined the party by removing Keacy Carty, while Hazlewood accounted for nightwatchman Jomel Warrican, leaving Brandon King and Roston Chase to see out the day.

The West Indies batting lineup faced a stern test during the late evening session, with their top order struggling against the relentless Australian pace attack.

The match hangs in the balance as it heads into day two, with both teams demonstrating their bowling prowess on a pitch that appears to favor pace.

This opening match of the three-Test series has already showcased the competitive nature of both bowling attacks, setting the stage for a captivating contest over the coming days.