West Indies are playing a two-match Test series against Pakistan at home. On the third day of the first Test, West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves set a record that the cricket world has never witnessed in the 149-year history of Test cricket.
Greaves became the first bowler in the history of Test cricket to take five wickets in five consecutive maiden overs, achieving the feat at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on Monday.
West Indies posted 311 runs in their first innings. In reply, Pakistan began the third day’s play at 199 for 3. The visitors had progressed to 244 for 3 before Greaves produced a devastating spell to trigger a collapse.
From 244 for 3, the Greaves show began. His brilliant bowling dismissed Pakistan for 282 in total. Greaves, who had gone wicketless in his first six overs while conceding 27 runs, ended the innings with figures of 5 for 27 from 11 overs.
Greaves began his historic spell by bowling Shan Masood with the final ball of the 64th over. He then dismissed Mohammad Rizwan, Aamir Jamal, Ali Usman, and Mohammad Abbas in successive maidens to complete his five-wicket haul.
The previous record of taking four wickets in four consecutive maiden overs was held by former England pacer Stuart Broad, achieved against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2016. Greaves surpassed that record and etched his name into the history books.
“When I came on to bowl, captain Roston Chase simply said, ‘Keep your discipline.’ The ball was moving well and I got my reward. It’s definitely a pleasure to take my first five-wicket haul in a Test, but there is still a lot of work to be done in this match,” said Greaves after picking up his maiden Test five-for in his 17th appearance.
Pakistan, however, mounted a remarkable comeback towards the close of play. The visitors restricted West Indies to 126 for 7 in their second innings. Mohammad Abbas claimed three wickets and Khurram Shahzad took two for Pakistan.
West Indies hold a lead of 155 runs at the end of the third day. The fourth day’s play will begin at 8 p.m. Bangladesh time today.
