AUS vs WI scorecard, 2nd Test, Day 1 highlights: Joshua Da Silva, Kavem Hodge save West Indies as visitors end at 266/8

It was a 149-run partnership between Kavem Hodge and Joshua Da Silva which saved West Indies from getting wrapped for yet another low score against Australia on Day 1 of the second Test being played in Brisbane. The duo showed, immense steadiness and calmness after West Indies were reduced to 62/5. However, Day 1 was also special for Australian pacer Mitchell Starc as he completed 350 wickets in Test matches. West Indies ended Day 1 at 266/8 in 89.4 overs and will look to add more runs on Day 2.

At the Gabba in Brisbane, the West Indies won the toss and elected to bat first. It was another disastrous beginning for the visitors, who lost their first wicket for a mere 9 runs after losing captain Kraigg Braithwaite for 4 runs off 25 balls. After the first wicket fell, Kirk McKenzie and Tagenarine Chanderpaul attempted to play some strokes to get the West Indies innings back on track.

Kavem Hodge and Joshua Da Silva save West Indies from early damage on Day 1

After adding 33 runs off 45 balls with Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kirk McKenzie gave up his wicket to Pat Cummins for 21 runs. Chanderpaul’s stay at the crease didn’t last long as he was removed by Mitchell Starc for 21 runs. Alick Athanaze became the second victim of Starc and was dismissed for 8 runs from 22 balls. Shortly after both the batsmen were dismissed, Starc took his 3rd wicket and removed Justin Greaves for 6 runs off 10 balls.

Interesting day of cricket and a great fightback from West Indies! #AUSvWI

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 25, 2024

After being reduced to 64/5 after 25.4 overs, it appeared like the visitors would suffer yet another setback. Nevertheless, Kavem Hodge and Joshua Da Silva made sure that no more wickets fell by staying at the crease for the entirety of the second session.

After dinner, the West Indies were 145/5, with Joshua Da Silva scoring 37 runs off 83 balls and Kavem Hodge scoring 44 runs off 107 balls without losing a wicket. On Day 1, both batsmen will want to lead the visitors to a respectable first-innings total by playing the third session with the same poise and serenity.

Josh Da Silva follows Hodge to the half-century as the partnership passes 100 #AUSvWI

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 25, 2024

Kavem Hodge and Joshua Da Silva continued their solidarity in the third session and took them from 145/5 to 213/5. Both the batsmen added 149 runs from 312 runs for the fifth wicket. However, Mitchell Starc got rid of Da Silva for 79 runs off 157 balls, and soon after his departure, Starc removed Hodge for 71 runs from 194 balls.

After both the batsmen were dismissed, West Indies tailenders Kevin Sinclair and Alzarri Joseph added 41 runs off 32 balls for the 8th wicket and helped West Indies end Day 1 at 266/8 in 89.4. Joseph was the last West Indies batsman to fall on Day 1, which was on the last ball of the day for 32 runs off 22 balls.

Mitchell Starc was the star of the show with the ball for Australia as he picked up 4 wickets in 20 overs and gave away 68 runs. Josh Hazlewood picked up 2 whereas Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins ended with one wicket each.

Brief Scores: West Indies 266/8 (Joshua Da Silva 79 runs, Mitchell Starc 4/68)