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West Indies National Cricket Team fast bowler Justin Greaves becomes the first bowler to deliver five consecutive maiden-wicket overs in record Test cricket history. Against Pakistan, in the opener of the ongoing series at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Greaves creates history, surpassing former England pacer Stuart Broad’s record.
Stuart Broad has the record for completing four consecutive maiden-wicket overs against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2016. Surpassing that record, Justin Greaves returned with career-best figures of 5/27 in 11 overs.
Pakistan was under control before Justin Greaves started the spell
By the time West Indies introduced the seamer into the attack again, the Pakistan National Cricket Team was in control and was looking all set for a massive first-innings lead, with their former captain Shan Masood in the middle, who completed his century.
Greaves initiated the unstoppable run by taking Masood’s wicket in the final ball of the 64th over. In his following over, the seamer clinched Aami Jamal from the track. In the third delivery of the 68th over, he forced Ali Usman to return with a duck before clinching the scalps of Muhammad Rizwan and Mohammad Abbas in the 70th and 72nd over, respectively.
64th over - 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, W
66th over - 0, W, 0, 0, 0, 0
68th over - 0, 0, W, 0, 0, 0
70th over - 0, 0, 0, W, 0, 0
72nd over - 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, W
Pakistan lost 6 wickets for only 38 runs
Pakistan was on 244 runs for 4 wickets before Greaves started the carnival of wickets. From 244 for 4, the touring team folded for 282 runs, losing their remaining 6 wickets, five claimed by the single bowler. In that five-over spell, Justin Greaves did not give away a single run.
At the innings break, the record-maker mentioned that he got the success only by following the captain’s advice, who advised Greaves to maintain disciplined bowling.
“When I came on, captain Roston Chase just said ‘continue to be disciplined in what you are doing’ and to see if I can get some wickets for the team,” Justin Greaves said.
I’m really happy: Justin Greaves
It is his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket, and he is visibly happy to achieve the rare milestone. He stated he got those wickets as the ball was moving well and the trust the team showed in him immensely.
“The ball nipped around, and I got some reward. Anytime I get the ball in hand, the team looks to me to be that solid player for them to try to dig us out of situations. To get five wickets for the first time in Test cricket, I’m really happy, but there’s still a lot of work to do in the game,” he added.
In the first innings, West Indies secured a total of 311 runs with Shai Hope’s 92 and Kavem Hodge’s 84. Pakistan provided the hosts with a 29-run first-innings lead as they lost all of their batters for 282 in their first innings.
