West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves became the first bowler in Test history to capture wickets in five consecutive maiden overs against Pakistan in the opening Test match at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.
The 32-year-old right-arm seamer took five wickets in five straight overs without conceding a single run, scoring a career-high 5/27 in 11 overs. Furthermore, it was Greaves’ maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket, and it was a stint that completely changed the West Indies’ advantage in the match.
Greaves surpassed the previous record set in 2016 by former England pacer Stuart Broad, who bowled four consecutive wicket-maidens against South Africa in Johannesburg.
Pakistan appeared to be in complete control of their first innings after reaching 244/3, with captain Shan Masood striking a brilliant century.
However, Justin Greaves drastically altered the outcome of the game with a remarkable explosion. After dismissing the well-set Masood, he raced through Pakistan’s middle and lower order. Pakistan was knocked out for 282, including Aamer Jamal, Ali Usman, and Mohammad Rizwan, during his amazing session.
The hosts gained a commanding lead in the World Test Championship match as the West Indies took a narrow 29-run lead in the first innings and the visitors crumbled.
“The ball nipped around, and I got some reward,” Justin Greaves remarked.
Justin Greaves commended West Indies captain Roston Chase after the game for providing precise instructions before initiating the attack.
“Captain Roston Chase simply told me to ‘continue to be disciplined in what you are doing’ and to try to gain some wickets for the team when I came on. I received some reward when the ball nibbled about. The team looks to me to be that reliable player who can help us get out of sticky circumstances whenever I have the ball. He was reported by Hindustan Times as stating, “I’m really happy to get five wickets for the first time in Test cricket, but there’s still a lot of work to do in the game.”
The match is still very much in the balance going into the fourth day, and the all-rounder’s amazing spell has already become one of the series’ key moments.
