Steve Smith’s stint as an opening batter for Australia in Tests kicked off with a 12-run knock on Wednesday in Adelaide. The vice-captain walked out at the Oval with his newly-found partner in Usman Khawaja with the Australian fans welcoming him with a huge round of applause. He featured in a 25-run opening stand, smashing a couple of boundaries to set the tone. However, his outing was cut short by debutant Shamar Joseph off his very first ball in international cricket.
It was the 9th over when Joseph was deployed into the attack. The 24-year-old bowled a good length delivery while Smith looked to defend the ball which was angling back towards him. It took a thick outside edge and got deflected towards the slips where Justin Greaves took a great catch diving towards his left.
The dismissal seemed to have impressed former captain Brian Lara who was in the commentary box at the moment, calling the game for Fox Cricket. With a wide smile on his face, Lara said,
“Amazing! Amazing start to his Test career. First ball in Test cricket and the Great Steve Smith edges it to the second slip.”
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“I had a few conversations with the boys in the dressing room, I told him that I would get a wicket on my first ball, but I didn’t know it was Steve Smith,” Joseph said. “I really love Steve Smith, the way he goes about and plays his cricket.”
“And getting his wicket, I will remember this for the rest of my life.”
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Earlier, Australia captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood took four wickets each as Australia restricted West Indies to 188 all out and made good use of the Adelaide Oval pitch after winning the toss and bowling first.
Kirk McKenzie, playing his second test, made his maiden half-century to top-score for the tourists before an entertaining 55-run partnership between Shamar Joseph and Kemar Roach for the 10th wicket lifted West Indies towards 200.
Australia were 59-2 at stumps, trailing by 129 runs, with Usman Khawaja unbeaten on 30 and Cameron Green — making his first test appearance for Australia since the Ashes series in England last June — on six not out.
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