West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph, playing only his second Test and that too with an injured toe, bowled his team to a famous win in Brisbane, taking seven scalps in a sizzling spell to eke out an eight-run victory on Sunday.
The Caribbean side had brought an inexperienced side to Australia and were expected to be blown away by the Test and ODI world champions. They were beaten inside three days in Adelaide last week and were expected to suffer a similar fate in the day-night Test in Brisbane.
However, the pink-ball match turned into an even contest between bat and ball.
After posting 311 in the first innings, the Caribbean team kept the pressure on the Aussies, who inexplicably declared their innings on 289-9. Even though they dismissed the tourists for 193, a target of 213 was always going to test the hosts.
Even with pace spearhead Shamar injured, the Windies were in for a fight. Shamar, 24, had to retire hurt after being hit on the toe in the second innings on Saturday night, did not bowl that day and only came into the attack 45 minutes into the first session on Sunday.
Thereafter, there was no stopping him. Shamar bowled 11.5 overs of hostile pace to finish with 7-68, helping dismiss Australia for 207 and record the West Indies' first win in Australia since Perth 1997.
West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite struggled to contain his emotions after the win.
"It means everything, playing with the legend Brian Lara watching, playing in Australia, a place we haven't won in a number of years," he said.
SHAMAR JOSEPH #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/NTnUQ8POjO
"To come here with this young group, seven or eight uncapped players is nothing but amazing and special. For us to come and do it against the number one team in the world,
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