West Indies vs Australia 1st Test Predictions - Brathwaite can lead West Indies charge

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 26 Jun 2025

Ralph Staniforth 26 Jun 2025

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Australia favored but face tough competition from West Indies on home soil.
Focus on run-scoring markets; Travis Head and Kraigg Brathwaite expected to shine.
Australia faces team changes and player injuries; key players absent include Smith and Labuschange.

Australia have won 3 of their last 4 Test matches against the West Indies. (Getty Images)

West Indies vs Australia Predictions

Australia are favourites but the West Indies should be more than competitive on home soil. The value is in the run scoring markets with Travis Head in great form, despite his poor performance in the WTC final.

West Indies vs Australia Predictions
Head to Head
West Indies Form
West Indies Injuries & Team News
Australia Form
Australia Injuries & Team News

West Indies beat Australia in their last Test match.
West Indies’ Kraigg Brathwaite scored 52 runs in his last Test innings.
Australia have won 3 of their last 4 Test matches against the West Indies.
Australia’s Travis Head averages 90 in his last 10 matches.

Head to Head

Australia have won three of their last four Test matches against the West Indies. However, when they met in January 2024, the series in Australia ended 1-1. West Indies pulled off a remarkable eight-run win in the second Test.

West Indies Form

The West Indies have not played Test cricket since January this year, so they may take some time to get back into it. When they did last play, they drew 1-1 in Pakistan, winning the second test by 120 runs.

The Windies were bowled out for 163 in their first inning with seven of the top eight batsmen out for nine or less. The bottom three contributed 116 runs between them. They stayed in the fight though, dismissing Pakistan for 154 on a pitch that offered the bowlers plenty.

The visitors were better in their second dig, scoring 244 runs. Kraigg Brathwaite top scored with 52 runs. Jomel Warrican took 5-27 in the second innings to bowl Pakistan out for 133 runs.

West Indies Injuries & Team News

Roston Chase will lead the side, but it will again come down to batting consistency for the hosts. They have some new faces but Kraigg Brathwaite, Shai Hope, Brandon King and others will have to step up against a very good Aussie bowling lineup.

Australia Form

Australia come into this series off the back of the World Test Championship final loss to South Africa. However, the positive for the Aussies is that they have reached the last two finals and will be looking to make a strong start to this WTC campaign.

On a bowling friendly surface, Australia did well at Lord’s in their first innings to reach 212 against South Africa. Steven Smith continued his good form with 66 runs while Beau Webster scored 72. A strong bowling performance then saw the Aussies bowl South Africa out for 138- giving themselves a healthy lead.

Unfortunate, Australia fell to 73-7 in their second innings before 43 by Alex Carey and 58 by Mitchell Starc saw them grow the lead to 282. However, the pitch had started to flatten out at Lord’s just in time for the fourth innings.

An early wicket got Australia in a positive frame of mind before a stunning partnership put South Africa in the driving seat. The Proteas won the match by five wickets early on day four.

Australia Injuries & Team News

Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschange will miss this match while Sam Konstas looks certain to open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja. There will almost certainly be further changes to the side from the final.

Verdict

I am backing Kraigg Brathwaite and Travis Head to top score for their respective teams.

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