Bookmakers initially gave Australia a 99% chance of whitewashing the West Indies before the second Test at the Gabba. By the beginning of Day 4, the probability had dropped to around 60%, but the hosts were still seen as strong contenders. During the first session on Sunday, Cameron Green and Steve Smith, the incumbent batters, significantly boosted Australia’s chances.
They extended their overnight partnership of 18 past the fifty-run mark, putting their team in a favorable position at 108/2 just an hour into the day’s play. However, the Windies displayed signs of desperation when Shamar Joseph, who had left the field in tears the previous evening due to a damaged toe from a Mitchell Starc yorker, returned to the field.
Despite initially planning to stay back at the hotel, Joseph was inspired to support his teammates. Kraigg Brathwaite, the Windies captain, entrusted the young bowler, making his debut Test tour, with the ball in what could be their final attempt at victory, setting the stage for a potential upset.
Joseph made an immediate impact by dismissing Cameron Green for 42 with a nip-backer and delivering an unplayable yorker to give Travis Head a king pair. Mitchell Marsh fell to a back-of-a-length delivery, Alex Carey’s bails went flying to a sharply seaming corker, and Mitchell Starc, while attempting daring shots, skied one to Kevin Sinclair.
Skipper Pat Cummins followed suit by edging one to the keeper. Suddenly, the score was 187/8, and an unexpected victory loomed for the West Indies. After the break, Alzarri Joseph removed Nathan Lyon, leaving the Windies needing 25 runs with one wicket in hand. However, Steve Smith resisted, changing gears and quickly chipping away the remaining runs with stylish drives and a flashy ramp.
What it means to Carl Hooper! @abcsport #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/5TlnhWezRS
— Ben Cameron (@BenCameron23) January 28, 2024
WEST INDIES WIN!
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 28, 2024
ONE OF THE BIGGEST UPSETS IN TEST MATCH HISTORY!#AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/V2IYEt3y2P
Despite this, he trusted Josh Hazlewood to face two deliveries from Shamar Joseph when nine runs were needed. Hazlewood, with just one delivery, sent the off-stump cartwheeling, securing the first Windies win against Australia since 2003, their first Down Under since 1997, and only their second victory ever at the Gabba.
