Windies reveal the plan to conquer Konstas as Australia’s top order flop again

Bridgetown: West Indian fast bowler Jayden Seales has played down the send-off he gave Pat Cummins and revealed Sam Konstas was exposed by a pinpoint West Indies plan on a day when Australia’s top order crumbled.

Australia’s tour of the West Indies has started in shaky fashion after a top-order collapse and a sensational spell from local hero Shamar Joseph on day one of the first Test in Barbados.

Australia’s Sam Konstas plays a shot from the delivery of West Indies’ Jayden Seales during day one of the first cricket Test match at Kensington Stadium in Bridgetown, Barbados.

After winning the toss and electing to bat on a favourable pitch at Kensington Oval, Australia were bowled out for 180 in just 56.5 overs – their lowest first innings total against the West Indies in a Test since 1995.

The hosts couldn’t fully capitalise, making their way to 4-57 from 20 overs by stumps as Mitchell Starc (2-35) struck twice, with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood also among the wickets.

Last year at the Gabba, Joseph spearheaded the West Indies to their first win on Australian soil in 27 years.

On a warm Wednesday in the Caribbean, Joseph was back to his destructive best after a quiet 18-over period, removing young gun Konstas (3), new No.3 Cameron Green (3), all-rounder Beau Webster (11) and then opener Usman Khawaja (47) in a superb display of fast-bowling in front of adoring home fans.

Joseph thought he’d claimed a fifth when Travis Head appeared to edge behind – and he celebrated as such – but the third umpire ruled the ball had not carried. Replays suggested it may well have.

West Indies’ Shamar Joseph celebrates taking the wicket of Australia’s Beau Webster during day one.

The Guyanese paceman finished with impressive figures of 4-46 off 16 overs, while opening bowling partner Seales took 5-60 after running through Australia’s tail.

Head top-scored for Australia with 59, while Khawaja (47) and Cummins (28) were the only other batsmen to make more than 11. Cummins was on the receiving end of a send-off from Seales, who addressed the incident after play.

“It was more a bit of frustration,” Seales told reporters. “He played a couple of good shots off me and I just showed him to the dressing room. There wasn’t really anything in it.”

Australia’s new World Test Championship cycle began in disastrous fashion as the visitors slumped to 3-22 in the 16th over in front of hundreds of travelling Australian fans enjoying the sights and sounds of the Caribbean.

Konstas’ first opportunity at the top of the order since the Sydney Test in January ended early when he was trapped in front by Joseph for three off 14 balls. It was simply a case of not getting bat on ball to a ball angling in as replays showed the ball was tracking to hit the top of the teenager’s leg stump.

Joseph said before the match he wanted to target Konstas, prompting former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy to come out swinging.

“He’s had a terrible year since he went through us at the Gabba,” Healy said on SEN. “You’ve delivered crap all year … you’re not Curtly Ambrose, champ.”

Shamar could not have landed a more decisive blow ahead of more tantalising battles over the series.

Australia’s Usman Khawaja walks off the field after being caught by West Indies’ Shai Hope.

“[We watched] videos that the analyst provided for us,” Seales said of Konstas. “Watching the Australia and India series, he looked like he had a bit of a weakness with the ball coming back, and we just knew that we needed to exploit it as much as possible.”

Local debutant Brandon King dropped Green on zero before spilling two more catches as the day went on.

Green’s tentative start did not improve as he pushed hard at a ball and was caught at second slip for three, just days after making four and zero in his return match against South Africa in the WTC final.

Before the match, Australian great Adam Gilchrist questioned Green’s suitability as the side’s long-term No.3. The West Australian duly recorded his fourth single digit score in his past five Test innings in a disappointing start to his maiden West Indies tour.

Khawaja was also dropped on six but made the most of his good fortune with a polished knock that helped ease Australian nerves as part of an 89-run partnership with Head.

When the side’s new No.4, Josh Inglis, skied a Jayden Seales delivery and was caught for five off 15 balls, Australia were on the ropes and in major strife at 3-22.

Australia’s new-look top order, without Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne for the first time since 2018, were unable to nullify smart swing bowling from Joseph and Seales.

After recovering to be 3-111, Australia lost 7-69. Only once in the past decade - against England at Edgbaston in 2015 - has Australia made fewer runs after winning the toss and batting first.

The West Indies have not beaten Australia in a Test in the Caribbean since 2003 but still face a mighty challenge to make history in the opening clash of the Frank Worrell Trophy.

“It was a challenging day and probably a different wicket to what both teams expected,” Head said after play. “Two good quality seam attacks have got something out of it. It makes for an important couple of hours in the morning.”