Justin Greaves produced one of the greatest bowling spells in Test cricket history on Day 3 of the opening Test against Pakistan in Tarouba, Trinidad, becoming the first bowler ever to take wickets in five successive maiden overs. The West Indies all-rounder’s extraordinary burst turned the match on its head, triggering a dramatic Pakistan collapse and etching his name into the record books.
Pakistan resumed Day 3 in a commanding position before Greaves changed the complexion of the contest with relentless accuracy and movement. Bowling unchanged, the right-arm seamer removed a batter in each of his next five maiden overs, achieving a feat never before witnessed in the 148-year history of Test cricket. He finished with career-best figures of 11-6-27-5, helping dismiss Pakistan for 282 after the visitors appeared well placed to build a substantial first-innings lead.
The spell eclipsed a decade-old record held by former England pacer Stuart Broad, who claimed wickets in four successive maiden overs against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2016. Greaves’ precision dismantled Pakistan’s lower middle order and tail, ensuring West Indies secured a slender 29-run first-innings lead after posting 311.
PAKISTAN STILL HOLD UPPER HAND
While Greaves’ remarkable effort will be remembered for years, the match remains tilted in Pakistan’s favour. West Indies endured another batting collapse in their second innings, slipping to 126 for 7 by stumps on Day 3 to stretch their overall lead to 155 runs.
With only three wickets remaining, the hosts are likely to set Pakistan a target in the region of 170 to 190 if they can add a few valuable runs on the fourth morning. On a pitch that has consistently assisted both seamers and spinners, the chase will not be straightforward, but Pakistan will be encouraged by the manner in which they have restricted the West Indies batting lineup in both innings. The visitors possess enough batting depth to believe they can complete the chase and seize a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.
GREAVES KEEP RISING
Greaves’ latest heroics are the newest chapter in what has been a remarkable rise in Test cricket. The Barbados all-rounder first announced himself on the global stage in December 2025, rescuing West Indies with an unbeaten 202 off 388 balls against New Zealand in Christchurch. The marathon knock was his maiden Test double century and made him only the seventh batter in Test history to score a double century in the fourth innings of a match.
He carried that form into the home series against Sri Lanka in July 2026, striking a superb 180 and sharing a 242-run fifth-wicket partnership with Shai Hope. Having already proved his credentials as a dependable middle-order batter, Greaves has now showcased his ability to win matches with the ball. His historic spell against Pakistan has now cemented his growing reputation as one of the most complete all-rounders in the modern West Indies side.
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