Latest news with #Barbados
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Aussie cricket great slams national batting coach after poor showing in West Indies during first Test - 'need to create sound techniques'
Australian cricket great Ian Healy has torched national batting coach Michael Di Venuto, adamant the top six has 'regressed' under his tutelage at Test level. The West Indies' seam bowlers exposed the likes of Sam Konstas, Cameron Green and Josh Inglis in Barbados, with the Aussies having to lean on decorated pace trio Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood to avoid a potential shock defeat at Kensington Oval. It follows underwhelming scores of 212 and 207 in the World Test Championship final defeat at the hands of South Africa earlier this month at Lord's. Australia dropped Marnus Labuschagne for Konstas, but the teenager has looked out of his depth at the crease. Healy stressed he doesn't like to 'put the pump on coaches', but firmly believes the Aussies have gone backwards with the bat under Di Venuto. 'I love to put it back onto the players more than coaches usually,' Healy said on SEN. 'But, as I said, Australian cricket's batting head coach - and every state batting coach - should be under pressure because there's not enough runs being scored around the nation either. 'Michael Di Venuto – a friend of mine who is a good coach and a good man – has held the job since mid-2021. 'In this time, our national team batting has regressed in performance at Test level. 'All that's important to me is the performance. 'I don't care how you do it or what will make it easier for you – just get it done.' Healy added the Aussie Test stars look nervous and are not backing their techniques. The scrappy performances leave fans understandably nervous ahead of the Ashes this summer. 'They're not making it easy for themselves at all, players have got to deal better with nerves by the sound of it,' Healy said. 'They need to create sound techniques and bat with balance so you can make really sound decisions ball after ball for long periods. 'At the moment, we're failing many of these points, and the lower order is having to deal with it - either recovering the score or losing. 'It's just too hard at the moment, we've got to clear those minds of our top order.' Healy has been outspoken in recent days, but was left red-faced after launching an astonishing attack on West Indies paceman Shamar Joseph, declaring the raw quick 'isn't Curtly Ambrose.'
RNZ News
4 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Cricket: Australia crush West Indies in Barbados
The Australian cricket team celebrate a win in the first test against the West Indies at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados, on June 27 2025. Photo: RANDY BROOKS Australia ruthlessly completed a 159-run victory over West Indies in the first test, with Nathan Lyon sweeping up the tail after Josh Hazlewood's five-wicket masterclass broke the hosts' resistance on a pitch that deteriorated into a bowler's paradise. Lyon claimed the final two wickets in consecutive deliveries, ending Shamar Joseph's entertaining knock at 44 from just 22 balls, as West Indies were dismissed for 141 chasing an improbable 301 to hand Australia a 1-0 series lead. "There was enough in the wicket, up-and-down from a length," said Hazlewood, who finished with figures of five for 43. "It's just about hitting that area time and time again and being patient. I'm just enjoying cricket, tests at the moment. Good team, atmosphere. "I think once we saw West Indies take the second new ball today, we thought things could happen, but not that fast. There's a few cracks on a length from one end, some went low and we got a few bowled and lbws." Hazlewood's victims included John Campbell (caught behind attempting a scoop), Brandon King (edging to gully first ball), Roston Chase (popping to short leg) and Keacy Carty (bowled by vicious seam movement), before completing his 13th test five-wicket haul by having Warrican caught at slip. Pat Cummins added Shai Hope's wicket with another delivery that kept fatally low, while substitute fielder Marnus Labuschagne's direct hit ran out Alzarri Joseph to underline Australia's superiority in all departments. Earlier, Australia had methodically constructed their match-winning position through intelligent batting across three sessions. Beau Webster (63) and Travis Head (61) forged the match's first century partnership before Head was left sprawled face-down by a Shamar Joseph delivery that scuttled beneath his bat. Alex Carey's enterprising 65, featuring a spectacular six onto the stadium roof, effectively sealed the contest despite Joseph claiming his own five-wicket haul with a tireless display of seam bowling. The day's dramatic shifts perfectly encapsulated test cricket's unpredictability, from morning resistance to afternoon collapse, with Australia demonstrating precisely why they remain the format's benchmark team. - Reuters
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cricket world erupts over Marnus Labuschagne moment as Aussies win first Test
Marnus Labuschagne might have been dropped for the first cricket Test between Australia and the West Indies, but he's shown he's still a valuable member of the squad. The Aussie batter produced a stunning run-out in Barbados on Friday as the tourists ran through the West Indies order to win on day three. Stationed at mid-off as a substitute fielder, Labuschagne ran out Alzarri Joseph with a brilliant direct hit. Joseph was burned by teammate Justin Greaves after he hit the ball to Labuschagne and set off for a quick single. Joseph wasn't quick enough to react, and Labuschagne's throw found him well short of his ground. It left the Windies at 7-73 and well short of their target of 301 for victory. "He might not be in the XI but he's still putting up his hand to contribute," the commentator said on ESPN. It came after former Aussie captain Mark Taylor called for Labuschgane to fly home from the Caribbean instead of remaining in the squad. But his fielding efforts on Friday showed why he's staying put. "Come back, have a bit of time off from the game, just refresh," Taylor said. "That wouldn't be a bad thing. Get ready for the Australian summer." Cricket fans flocked to social media in awe of Labuschagne's run-out. He received widespread praise for staying ready to contribute, rather than wallowing in the misery of getting dropped. Oh look substitute Marnus with a direct hit from the same position. Contributing even though he's not playing XI. — The Divine Beard (@Gerrardicted) June 27, 2025 Labuschagne still finds a way to have an impact 💪 — Simon (@Knight_Ryders) June 27, 2025 The forgotten man, Marnus, still making a difference!#Australia #WIvAUS — 工レ丹几 (@Crackers2) June 27, 2025 You can take Marnus out of the xi but not out of the game 🎯 — Shamilinho🇦🇺🇧🇷 (@shamilzaiin) June 27, 2025 Labuschagne's run-out helped the Aussies score a 159-run victory after a stunning turnaround in the second innings. After being dismissed for 180 and conceding a 10-run lead in the first dig, the Aussie batters produced a much better effort in the second. After another woeful start in which they slumped to 4-65, Travis Head, Alex Carey and Beau Webster righted the ship on day three. Head made 61 off 95 balls, while Carey made 65 off 75 and Webster 63 off 120. RELATED: Windies bowler hit with punishment over act towards Pat Cummins Pat Cummins breaks Aussie cricket tradition before first Test Their batting heroics led the Aussies to a much more respectable total of 310 in the second innings, setting the Windies 301 to win. But the hosts never looked likely, with Josh Hazlewood decimating their top order. Hazlewood took 5-43 in a stunning display of line and length, leaving the cricket world in awe. The Aussie veteran dismissed John Campbell (23), Keacy Carty (20), Brandon King (golden duck), Roston Chase (2) and Jomel Warrican (3) as the Windies were bowled out for just 141. It was another insipid display after they only made 190 in the first innings. Only some late hitting from Shamar Joseph (44 off 22) and Greaves (38 not out off 53) saved the hosts from a sub-100 total, but Nathan Lyon finished the job late on day three. Lyon got Joseph caught at first slip, before dismissing Jayden Seales for a golden duck on the very next delivery. "(Hazlewood) just hits the right area, ball after ball, presents good seam. He was fantastic," said captain Pat Cummins after the result on day three.
Daily Telegraph
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Australia vs. West Indies, First Test, Day 3 live updates: Cricket world all says same thing as Aussies bowling attack saves batsmen's blushes
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News. Australia's pace attack has once again come to the rescue as the Aussies have taken a 1-0 lead in the Frank Worrell Trophy, beating the West Indies in Barbados. Chasing a daunting 301-run target for victory, the West Indies were in trouble from the outset as the Australian quicks wreaked havoc on Saturday morning (AEDT). West Indies vs. Australia Test & T20I Series | Watch every ball LIVE with ESPN, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. Paceman Josh Hazlewood ripped through the Windies top order, claiming 4-4 in a stunning three-over burst to put Australia in the driving seat. 'They are playing good as always. It's like a broken record these days watching the Australian bowling attack,' former Australian cricketer Greg Blewett said in commentary for Kayo. 'They're so experienced and so clinical. 'After a really good session here on Day 3, they can freshen up overnight and they'll be ready to go to knock over the West Indies in the morning. 'They also share it around really well. This time it's Josh Hazlewood. Good figures.' The quick added another to his tally later in the morning to finish with figures of 5-43. While Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins also took one apiece before Nathan Lyon did the damage late, cleaning up the tailenders. Australia's bowling trio of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc did the damage again. Photo by Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images) The incredible performance of Hazlewood and the Aussie bowling attack, covered over the cracks of what was another dismal display from the Aussie batsmen. Earlier, the tourists posted 310 courtesy of defiant fifties from vice-captain Travis Head, all-rounder Beau Webster and wicketkeeper Alex Carey, after the top-order failed again. On Day 2, Sam Konstas failed again making just 5 off 38 balls as his Test average through six games sits at just above 20. Khawaja (15) and Inglis (12) also fell cheaply in the second innings. Inglis was sent packing for 12 after leaving a delivery from Jayden Seales that nipped in and crashed into off stump. Cameron Green also struggled again in his new No. 3 role, out for just 15. Safe to say him slotting in at No. 3, has not been the instant success Australian selectors would have hoped for. Since coming back into the team he has scores of 4, 0, 3 and 15. He also dropped a regulation chance on Day 3, as his Test nightmare continued. You can watch Cam Green's howler in the player at the top of the page. Josh Hazlewood tore through the West Indies on Day 3. (Photo by Randy Brooks / AFP) Australian pace attack ageing out While for now the likes of Starc, Hazlewood and Pat Cummins can come to the rescue, all three are deep in their 30s and will likely retire in the coming years. And the two waiting in the wings after impressing at Shield level, Scott Boland and Michael Neser, are 35 and 34 respectively. That leaves a worrying abyss when the trio calls time on their illustrious careers. But while the three-pronged attack will likely end in the years to come, fans are soaking it in while they still can. 'The Australian pace attack is the best in the business,' one fan wrote. '37 35 34 32 is the age of Lyon, Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins. Too old to be continuing much longer? However, they do have 553, 389, 283 and 302 test wickets equalling 1527 in total. Insane,' another added. While a third said: 'Thank god for the quicks'. Originally published as Australia triumph in first Test against the West Indies as bowling attack saves batsmen's blushes
ABC News
6 hours ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Australia's first Test win came down to skill — theirs held up, the West Indies' didn't
For a match that appeared evenly poised at the end of day two, Australia's crushing 153-run Test victory over the West Indies was remarkable in its scale. Mid-way through day two of the first Test in Barbados, the hosts held a 10-run first innings lead. Australia had been bowled out for just 180 on the first day having won the toss and batted. In the second innings, the visitors were 4-65 after another woeful top order batting display. A thrilling Test match was assured, wasn't it? Alas, Test match cricket does nothing if not exploit and expose the inadequacies between the very best and the rest — and Josh Hazlewood is very much among the best. The 34-year-old was absolutely unplayable on a wearing, minefield of a pitch. His five-over second spell was almost mythical, a fitting addition to the tapestry that is the Kensington Oval, one of the world's most storied Test grounds. But the game was in the balance — a couple of quick wickets and Australia would have been defending a far more modest score than the 301 runs they managed to accrue. The hardest thing for the West Indies to accept may well be that the chance to take that early wicket presented itself in the fourth over of the day. Travis Head, on 21, gifted an edge to second slip off the bowling of Alzarri Joseph. Justin Greaves at second slip did what too many of his teammates had done throughout the Test. He dropped it cold. The West Indies were, unfortunately, found lacking in the basic skills of the game — catching. It's a troubling issue and one that is not unknown to the West Indies. The host broadcaster showed a graphic before the start of play on day three that highlighted that the West Indies were the worst catchers in Test cricket at slips and gully, snaring just 65.6 per cent of their chances in Tests since 2023. In this Test they caught a truly woeful 36 per cent of their chances in that area. In a game where the hosts put seven catches down, how does one determine which was the defining drop of the contest? The first? That one shelled by Brendon King no doubt set the tone for the shambles that followed. But realistically it was the one on that third morning. Australia was 4-107 at he time, their lead under 100. Head went on to score 61, his second half century of the match as part of a 102-run partnership with Beau Webster. While Head continued where he left off with his first innings, Webster's half century was just a continuation of the norm for what has been a superb start to Test cricket. Victim to a brute of a ball in the first innings to be out for 11, in this second stint he was immense. In what was just his eighth Test match innings, the 31-year-old Tasmanian scored his third half century and did so with impressive composure. His height allows him to easily get down the pitch and his timing through the covers was simply sublime. With two crucial wickets in the West Indies batting innings on day two already under his belt, the man from Snug is looking increasingly secure in that all rounder role. Alex Carey also impressed with a well-paced counter attacking display that saw him shift roles three times throughout his stay. After playing the supporting role to Webster early and stepping back into that familiar tail end hand holder at the end of his stay, he still blasted a 40-ball half century — his fastest in Tests — with the final 40 runs coming in 15 balls, including a monstrous six back over Jayden Seales' head that crashed into the sightscreen. It was a brutal display of power that illustrated just how valuable he is down at number seven, the Jekyll and Hyde position that has to adapt and shift to the circumstances in front of him. But the impetus Australia managed to gain still, arguably, came from that dropped catch in the first hour. After day two, coach Daren Sammy rightly pointing out that his team were "shooting ourselves in the foot" more than anything else. The 38-Test capped Saint Lucian may have hoped that by vocalising the issue his team would holster their self-destructive weapons for day three. Instead, they loaded them right back up and continued to aim at their own boots. The honour board of West Indian catching incompetence for this Test is lengthy and frustrating, a blight on the heroes of 1975 who were being honoured on the 50th anniversary of the West Indies' Cricket World Cup triumph in 1975 at the ground on the opening day. Brandon King, on debut, had three entries in the first day: Cameron Green (0), Usman Khawaja (45) and Nathan Lyon (3). Fortunately for him, those particular drops cost the West Indies just 11 runs. The skipper, Roston Chase, was not so lucky — Khawaja added 41 more runs after he was dropped on 6 by him at first slip. On day two, add John Campbell at third slip and Justin Greaves at second both dropped Sam Konstas in a single Shamar Joseph over while he was on 0. Again, to the West Indies' relief, Konstas failed to capitalise, only managing another 5 runs before being bowled. Head was a different story. "Holding onto that catch could have changed the game," former West Indies player Carlos Brathwaite said on ESPN. So was it the catching that has cost the West Indies the match? It's clearly not the only thing given Australia's bowling brilliance. As the Kensington Oval pitch began to crumble, Hazlewood came to the fore. Hazlewood's recent susceptibility to injury has given Australia a look ahead to a near future where this brilliant pace-bowling trio will no longer be around. But his phenomenal five-over spell of 4-5 showed that Australia still needs him. Mitch Starc and Pat Cummins also claimed wickets among the seamers, but the strength of this pace triumvirate is its ability to work together. But it was that brilliant burst from the Tamworth tearaway that caught the eye most. On a pitch offering plenty of assistance, its erratic nature was exploited by the kind of unerring accuracy that has become this seam attack's signature characteristic. Should the West Indies first innings lead have been more? Undoubtedly, the desperately poor third umpiring decisions made by Adrian Holdstock that may yet result in the West Indies issuing a formal complaint against the South African no doubt cruelled any prospect that the West Indies had of turning that narrow lead into one that was far more substantial. "Me and Shai Hope, we were having a good partnership and then, obviously a few calls set us back a bit," Chase said at the post-match presentation. "I still thought we did well to get the lead, but we couldn't put any batting innings together." That much is true, but the West Indies must also take ownership of their own frailties — such a woeful catching display will rarely lead to Test victories against a team of Australia's calibre. The second Test in Grenada gets underway on July 4. Not a long enough break to cure the catching woes. But perhaps short enough to get back on the horse and make things right through their own actions.
