WI vs AUS [WATCH]: Steve Smith fails on return as Alzarri Joseph strikes in fierce opening spell on Day 1 of Grenada Test

After missing the first Test against West Indies due to a finger injury sustained during the WTC 2025 Final against South Africa, Steve Smith made his much-anticipated return to Australia’s playing XI in Grenada. However, his comeback was short-lived. Facing a rejuvenated West Indies attack, Smith managed just six balls before falling to Alzarri Joseph. With Australia reeling early, Smith’s dismissal added to the top-order woes, leaving the visitors in deep trouble at 50/3 on a testing Day 1 surface.

Alzarri Joseph removes Steve Smith with a short-ball trap as West Indies roar back

Joseph, steaming in with confidence after an early breakthrough, produced a well-directed short ball that turned out to be a trap too tempting for Steve Smith to ignore. Dug in outside off, the delivery had just enough grip off the surface to hold up slightly. Smith, eager to assert himself, looked to dispatch it over mid-wicket but was early into the pull. The ball caught the top edge of his bat and ballooned into the Caribbean sky. Stationed at fine leg, Anderson Phillip had to remain calm under pressure, and he did just that.

Tracking the ball all the way, he completed the catch safely in front of his face, setting off a wave of celebration among the West Indies players. Smith, visibly annoyed, shook his head as he trudged back, knowing he had squandered a chance to stabilize the innings. For Alzarri, it was a moment of vindication, two wickets in a fiery spell, both from exploiting bounce and uncertainty. The dismissal not only derailed Australia’s top-order hopes but also signalled that this West Indies pace unit was here to dictate terms. With the hosts energised and the crowd buzzing, Smith’s early departure added to Australia’s worries in what is shaping up to be a bowler-dominated Test.

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Top-order collapse dents Australia as West Indies dominate opening session 

Australia’s decision to bat first on a lively Grenada surface quickly turned into a trial by pace as West Indies reduced the visitors to 93/4 at lunch on Day 1. The innings started promisingly with youngster Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja finding some rhythm early, but Joseph’s fiery burst shifted momentum swiftly. Khawaja was trapped LBW by Joseph, and just four balls later, Konstas nicked behind off Anderson Phillip, triggering a mini-collapse.

Smith, returning from injury, lasted just six deliveries before falling to a mistimed pull off Joseph, a big blow for the Aussies. Cameron Green showed some resistance with a brisk 26, but Jayden Seales’ late strike had him edging to slip just before the break. With four wickets down and only 93 on the board in 23 overs, West Indies’ pace quartet, led by Joseph and ably supported by Phillip and Seales , ensured their captain Roston Chase’s decision to field first was fully justified. The Windies bowlers consistently extracted seam movement and bounce, keeping the batters tentative. Travis Head remains at the crease, but Australia will need a strong lower-order rally to avoid conceding early advantage to a fired-up home side on a helpful pitch.

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