Pat Cummins described Josh Hazlewood as a huge asset for Australia after his five-wicket haul propelled them to a dominant victory over West Indies in the first Test.

Having lost to South Africa in the 2023-25 World Test Championship final, Australia began the 2025-27 cycle with a win on Friday, triumphing by 159 runs in Barbados.

After resuming at 92-4 in their second innings on day three, Australia reached 310 thanks primarily to the efforts of their middle order.

Travis Head scored 61 runs while Beau Webster and Alex Carey tacked on 63 and 65 respectively, helping the tourists reach a score they could defend with ease.

They only needed 34 overs with the ball to get the job done, with Hazlewood posting figures of 5-43 as the Windies failed to force the match into a fourth day.

It was Hazlewood's 13th five-for in Test cricket and his third against West Indies, earning him hefty praise from Cummins.

"Give Josh a wicket with any little bit in it, and he finds it," Cummins told reporters when asked about Hazlewood at his post-match press conference.

"Just hits the right area, ball after ball, presents good seam. I thought he was great at Lord's as well last week, without perhaps the returns that he deserved.

"It's a huge asset to have him on our side as well. He's been keeping Scotty Boland out of the side and we know how good Scotty is. I'm really pumped for Josh this week."

Australia win the opening Test at Kensington Oval.#WIvAUS | #FullAhEnergy pic.twitter.com/I1GR2t9Dlr

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) June 27, 2025

Australia have now won their last four matches at the Kensington Oval and have a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, putting them in a good position to extend their unbeaten run against their hosts.

They have not lost any of their last 13 Test series against West Indies, winning 11 and drawing two in a run dating back to January 1993.

Cummins also hailed Head, Webster and Carey for getting Australia through a difficult spell, adding: "I thought those three were brilliant.

"They kept the scoreboard ticking over. I thought they took really good options. They were always looking to score.

"Really, that was the difference. You are turning up today thinking that if we didn't get a big lead, it was 50-50, really. Those guys took the game away from West Indies."