WI vs AUS, 1st Test Preview | New-look Aussies seek fresh beginnings in first Caribbean visit since 2016

A new two-year cycle awaits teams in the World Test Championship, with Australia and West Indies slated to begin their campaigns in the Frank Worrell Trophy at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados on June 25. The Men from Down Under ended the previous cycle in second-spot in the league phase but failed to take home the title after a loss to South Africa in the summit clash, ending their reign as the champions. The Windies, meanwhile, got nowhere close to top-honours as only Pakistan separated them from the bottom of the table.

Such is the cricketing universe though that despite the huge contrast in fortunes, both teams have rung out the changes and opted for a new look for the new beginning. The Caribbean outfit have been particularly brutal with their selections and have dropped seven players from their last Test assignment in Pakistan. This includes wicket-keeper batter Joshua da Silva who enjoyed a fruitful domestic season and the incumbent leader of their pace attack, Kemar Roach. Most surprising however has been the decision to hand over captaincy to Roston Chase after Kraigg Brathwaite vacated the spot, given the all-rounder last played a Test match over two years ago in 2023. Australia, on the other hand, have finally decided to drop Marnus Labuschagne after sticking him though a horrid patch spanning years.

Despite the parity the form book and historical records seem to suggest, the Windies can bank on the fact that the last time these two teams met, they defied all odds to win an all-time great Test at the Gabba that left the likes of Brian Lara and Gordon Greenidge in tears. Whether those heroics can be repeated is a question only time can answer.

Form Guide

WI:  W L L W L

AUS: L W W W W 

WI vs AUS Head to head in Tests

Despite a decade of West Indian dominance in the 1980s, the consistency of Australia before and since means the Men from Down Under boast a heavily one-sided head-to-head record against the Caribbean nation. The Aussies have won 61 Tests and lost just 33 times, with 25 draws and a tie to go with it. This includes just two losses in the 21st century, and their last defeat on Caribbean soil in 2003. 

WI 33-61 AUS

Pitch and Weather

In the eight Tests that have produced a result at Kensington Oval since 2010, five have been won by the team chasing and three by the team batting first. The pitch historically aids batters early on with something in it for the seamers but as the sun beats down, the deck tends to become slower and bring the spinners into play. A first look at the deck to be used on Wednesday suggests a similar pattern, with a healthy covering of grass and dry patches the standout features.

The game is forecast to begin with clouds overhead that should gradually give way to clear sunny skies by the end of play. No rain is expected while temperatures should hover around the 30 degree Centigrade mark. 

Team News

Australia have made the big call of dropping veteran Marnus Labuschagne after a sustained poor patch and with Steve Smith unavailable for the first Test with a finger injury, the Baggy Greens will play a Test without either of the duo for the first time in seven years. Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis have been roped in as replacements and are expected to slot straight into the XI, with Cameron Green likely to continue at three and Matt Kuhnemann the second specialist spinner over third seamer Josh hazlewood.

West Indies, on similar lines, are set for a fresh look to start a new World Test Championship cycle with Roston Chase taking over captaincy from Kraigg Brathwaite. Brandon King is expected to be handed his cap after a maiden call-up while the returning Shai Hope should find a place in the middle order along with promising prospects Keacy Carty and Justin Greaves.  

WI Probable XI:  Kraigg Brathwaite, Brandon King, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope, Justin Greaves, Roston Chase (c), Tevin Imlach (wk), Shamar Joseph, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales, Jomel Worrican

AUS Probable XI: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Matt Kuhnemann, Nathan Lyon      

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