Australia Wins Barbados Test by 159 Runs, Captain Cummins Backs Young Opener

Australia secured a commanding 159-run victory over the West Indies in the opening Test of their series in Bridgetown, marking a positive start to their World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. Captain Pat Cummins expressed strong support for young opener Sam Konstas despite his low scores of three and five, emphasizing the challenges faced by newcomers adapting to varied Test conditions. The victory was largely shaped by significant batting contributions from Travis Head, Beau Webster, and Alex Carey, who stabilized the Australian innings after early collapses. Josh Hazlewood's outstanding bowling, taking five wickets for 43 runs, helped dismiss the West Indies for 141 while chasing 301. Cummins highlighted the tactical approach and resilience of the middle order that ultimately took the game away from the hosts. The pitch conditions tested both teams, but Australia's ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities and maintain scoreboard momentum proved decisive.