Justin Greaves took 5-27 in a remarkable spell on day three of the first Test against Pakistan in Tarouba, eclipsing his previous best of 3-39 against Sri Lanka earlier this year. The West Indies all-rounder claimed his maiden Test five-wicket haul to help dismiss Pakistan for 282 in reply to West Indies' first-innings 311, before the hosts reached stumps on 126-7 in their second innings.
Greaves, playing in his 17th Test, produced the spell of the match after going wicketless for 27 runs in six overs earlier in the day. His efforts left West Indies with a lead of 155 runs going into day four of the five-day contest at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad.
How did Greaves turn the game?
Greaves turned the match after captain Roston Chase urged him to stay disciplined and keep targeting wickets for the team. He said:
When I came on captain Roston Chase just said 'continue to be disciplined in what you are doing' and to see if I can get some wickets for the team,
He added that the conditions helped him extract movement and reward the effort with wickets:
The ball nipped around and I got some reward. Anytime I get the ball in hand the team looks to me to be that solid player for them [and] try to dig us out of situations.
Greaves said reaching five wickets for the first time in Test cricket meant a great deal, while stressing the match was not yet decided:
To get five wickets for the first time in Test cricket, I'm really happy, but there's still a lot of work to do in the game.
Which wickets did he take?
Greaves removed Pakistan captain Shan Masood first, bowling him for 109 in the 64th over after a well-planned set-up. He pushed the ball wide to the left-hander from over the wicket before bringing one back into Masood, who played down the wrong line and inside-edged on to his stumps.
In his next over, Greaves had Aamer Jamal's middle stump uprooted by a delivery that speared through his defences. He then trapped Ali Usman lbw before dismissing Mohammed Rizwan and Mohammad Abbas both caught behind as Pakistan lost their last seven wickets for 38 runs.
How did Pakistan and West Indies reach this position?
Pakistan were bowled out for 282 after West Indies had made 311 in their first innings, with Shai Hope scoring 92 and Abrar? No; the source states Hope 92 and Ali 4-50. Pakistan captain Shan Masood scored 109 and Greaves finished with 5-27. West Indies then closed on 126-7 in their second innings, with Chanderpaul making 35 and Abbas taking 3-14.
The match remains finely poised after three days, with West Indies leading by 155 runs and three days of the Test still remaining in the scheduled five-day match.
First Test, Tarouba (day three of five)
West Indies 311 (Hope 92; Ali 4-50) & 126-7 (Chanderpaul 35, Abbas 3-14)
Pakistan 282 (Masood 109; Greaves 5-27)
Key Facts
- Justin Greaves took 5-27, his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
- Pakistan were dismissed for 282 in reply to West Indies' 311.
- Greaves dismissed Shan Masood, Aamer Jamal, Ali Usman, Mohammed Rizwan and Mohammad Abbas.
- West Indies were 126-7 at stumps, leading by 155 runs.
- The first Test is being played in Tarouba at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad.
