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8 runs that haunt Australia till date; revisiting the day WI breached Gabba fortress

Shreyasi

Rare win for West Indies in Australia [Source: X/@PictureSporting]Rare win for West Indies in Australia [Source: X/@PictureSporting]

The rivalry between Australia and the West Indies during the 1960s and 1970s was fierce. West Indies dominated cricket throughout the 1980s, making contests against them one-sided. However, as West Indies cricket gradually declined during the 1990s, Australia stepped up to enjoy a period of extended success.

A 27-year drought for West Indies in Australia

Since then, Australia's dominance over the West Indies in the contest has been clear from the numbers. Before 2024, the West Indies had won a Test in Australia in February 1997. Although they had lost the series, it was a well-fought 3-2 scoreline with the West Indies winning the last Test by 10 wickets. 

This was the last bit of Test success for West Indies Down Under for a long time. Meanwhile, Australia became a formidable force, whereas the West Indies did not even qualify for the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup.

In 2024, when the West Indies stepped on the Australian soil, no one hoped for any miracle. The Kraigg Brathwaite-led side duly lost the first Test by 10 wickets after failing to score 200 runs in both innings.

The second Test match was a Day/Night affair at the Gabba. Although Australia lost to India at the Gabba in 2021, they were still unbeaten on that ground in Day/Night Test matches. However, the West Indian newcomers had a different plan.

In the first Test match, they had three debutants in all-rounders Kaven Hodge and Justin Greaves, and fast bowler Shamar Joseph. Despite the loss, the West Indian team management chose to trust them.

The Day/Night Test at Brisbane in 2024 between Australia and West Indies

Image Source: X/@wwasayImage Source: X/@wwasay

West Indies won the toss and decided to bat first. They were soon in trouble at 64/5. Joshua Da Silva joined Hodge, and the duo put up a 149-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Da Silva was the top scorer with 79, Hodge scored 71, and there were handy contributions from Kevin Sinclair (50) and Alzarri Joseph (32). Thanks to the lower-order fight, they reached 311 and were bowled out early on day two.

Australia batted aggressively and reached 289/9 in just 53 overs with fifties from Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey. With half an hour remaining on day two, they declared 22 runs behind West Indies, and the move seemed to be successful as they picked up Tagenarine Chanderpaul by the end of the day.

The next day, the visitors could only score 193 with contributions from Alick Athanaze (35), Greaves (33), and Hodge (29). Australia’s target was 216, and even though they needed to bat last under the lights, it looked like another easy win for Australia.

The Fortress Falls: An 8-Run Miracle in Brisbane

For the West Indies, Alzarri Joseph and Greaves picked up the early wickets of Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne. Shamar Joseph took the responsibility from there on. He broke the 71-run stand between Steven Smith and Cameron Green by dismissing Green and then dismissing Travis Head with a vicious Yorker on the next ball.

The Australian middle order was stunned as Shamar dismissed Mitchell Marsh, Carey, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins within the next 10 overs. Australia were reeling at 175/8 with Smith still holding on to one end. Eventually, he ran out of partners to remain unbeaten on 91. Joseph picked up his seventh wicket as he flattened the off stump of Josh Hazzlewood and went for a celebratory run!

It was an unexpected outcome that shocked the cricketing world. The Gabba was more than a ground; it was Australia's unyielding fortress. Nobody expected West Indies to beat the mighty Aussies Down Under. Yet, they did. But against all the odds, following Shamar Joseph’s heroic spell of 7-68, West Indies did the unthinkable to clinch a memorable and rare 8 run win. 

The West Indies did not just win a match—they shattered an aura, proving that cricket in the West Indies was still alive. Interestingly, so far Australia have won 13 of their 14 day-night Tests, with the only blemish at home to West Indies.