Watch: Shamar Joseph Cuts Short Steve Smith's 1st Outing As Test Opener

Australian batter Steve Smith who embarked on a new role for the Test team as the opener along with Usman Khawaja, had a short-lived time in the middle as West Indies‘ debutant pacer Shamar Joseph led to his removal from the crease in what was the youngster’s first ball of Test cricket.

Steve Smith got out for just 12 runs in his first outing as Test opener, replacing David Warner up top. The right-hand batter had expressed his desire to face the new ball with Khawaja after Warner’s retirement which after initially being declined was approved by the Aussie management.

Watch Shamar Joseph Dismissing Steve Smith With Late Out Swinger

SHAMAR JOSEPH WITH HIS FIRST BALL IN TEST CRICKET!

And it's Steve Smith who's the wicket! #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/QpV0Aak1Dd

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 17, 2024

If we talk about Steve Smith’s dismissal then it was a total misjudgment by the 34-year-old. But credit must go to Shemar Joseph as he executed the ball well. It was a back-of-length delivery that marginally moved away from Steve Smith who wasn’t expecting the late swing and was looking to put the ball down.

However, he brought his bat a little late and the ball took a heavy outside edge off Smith’s blade before landing in the hands of 3rd slipper Justin Greaves who did a commendable job by taking a diving catch. When Khawaja and Green come out to bat tomorrow, the latter specifically will be aiming to score something big upon his return to Test cricket for the first time since last year’s Ashes in England.

The 2-match Test series against West Indies which started earlier today in Adelaide is the first time that Australia are trying out a new opening pair since Warner’s induction into the team. It will be a good challenge for the team to have as they are implementing a change in their batting order in this series.

But against everyone’s expectation, Steve Smith’s new role in the Test team hasn’t started well. While coming on to bat in the 2nd innings after bowling out West Indies for 188 in 63 overs, Australia are currently trailing by 129 runs after stumps on Day 1.

Usman Khawaja and all-rounder Cameron Green saw off Day 1’s conclusion by adding 59 runs on the board at the loss of 2 wickets. After Steve Smith’s departure, number 3 batter Marnus Labuschagne received his marching orders for 10 from the same bowler that removed the new opener.

Australian captain Pat Cummins asked West Indies to bat first after winning the coin toss. The hosts’ pace battery welcomed the visitors in the best way possible, getting them all out for 188 by the 63rd over. Cummins and Josh Hazlewood accounted for 4 wickets each while Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon had to settle down with 1 wicket each.

West Indies number 3 batter Kirk McKenzie produced the only notable performance from his team with his 50 off 94. McKenzie scored 7 Fours and if it wasn’t for his knock, West Indies would not have even reached 188.

It is not the best way to start for them if they want to materialize their desire to win a first Test series against Australia since the 1992/93 season when a Richie Richardson-led West Indies team won by 2-1 in a 5-match series down under.