Prior to India’s stunning Brisbane win in 2021, Australia had held a 32-year-long win streak at The Gabba, making the second test a difficult task for the Windies. To make circumstances even more tough, the second test was selected to be a day-night match, with Australia boasting a 100% record with the pink ball.
The West Indians posted a competitive first innings total of 311, a remarkable achievement considering their timid start to the innings, with matters early on looking bleak as they struggled at 64-5.
It appeared the Aussies would continue their blazing pink ball form however the stern resilience of Kaven Hodge and Joshua Da Silva, posting 71 (194) and 79 (157) respectively, meant the tourists were able to grind out a competitive total.
Akin to the first innings of the Windies, Australia would also find themselves plagued with a frail top order, with the exception of a patient Usman Khawaja 75 (131), stooping to 54-5. Alex Carey responded with pure aggression by hitting a score of 65 whilst striking at 132.65, however, Pat Cummins produced another ‘captains innings’ with a score of 64 (73), meaning the hosts were able to stay in the match.
Reduced to 289-9, Cummins opted to declare with the hope of cleaning out the Windies top order by making the most of the pink ball movement under the lights. The strategy of the Aussie captain managed to claim the scalp of Tagenraine Chanderpaul before the end of Day two, with the tourists finishing the day at 13-1.
Day three saw the reigning World Test Champions swing the game back in their favour, as the Windies finished on 193, with their new star bowler, Shamar Joseph having to retire hurt with an injured toe.
Their ‘goat’ Nathan Lyon was the pick of the bowlers by taking three wickets with an economy of only 1.90. Australia had been set a total of 217 to claim and retain the Frank Worrell Trophy.
It was a sturdy start to the second innings with the hosts only losing two wickets for their first 100 runs and it appeared they would cruise to a series win with their new opener, Steve Smith, looking composed at the crease.
Enter Shamar Joseph.
Rewind one year, the West Indian seamer had been working as a security guard and had only just entered the realm of professional cricket.
Although uneconomical, Joseph completed a mammoth twelve over spell, ripping through the Australian team by taking seven wickets, all whilst bowling with an injured toe.
The heroics of Joseph earned him both player of the match and the series.
Most notably this was the Windies' first win down under since 2003, and only the second time the Australians had been defeated at The Gabba in over 30 years.
Although a short one, the two-match series provided another great advertisement for test cricket and has given the West Indian faithful a beacon of hope as they seek to re-establish themselves as cricketing royalty.