Joseph becomes 23rd men's player to claim wicket on opening delivery in Tests

Adelaide, Jan 17: Debutant West Indies fast-bowler Shamar Joseph has become the 23rd player to take a wicket on the opening delivery in men's Test cricket with the scalp of newly-promoted Australia opener Steve Smith on day one of first Test at the Adelaide Oval.

In the ninth over of Australia’s innings, Joseph bowled a good length delivery just outside off-stump, drawing Smith into playing at it and the outside edge flew to fellow debutant Justin Greaves, who took a low and sharp catch at third slip.

The dismissal sent Joseph, Greaves, and the West Indies team into a frenzy as Smith fell for 12 in his first innings as Test opener after David Warner’s retirement. Joseph had previously hit 36 in a last-wicket stand of 55 with Kemar Roach to push the West Indies to 188 in their first innings.

Dismissing Smith on his very first ball in Test cricket made Joseph the 23rd bowler to take a wicket with his first ball in men's Tests, and just the second from the West Indies to do so after Tyrell Johnson against England at The Oval in 1939.