One step forward, three steps back.
It's the all-too familiar story of West Indies cricket in the 21st century, and one that continued on Thursday in Adelaide.
The West Indies provided one of the most heartwarming stories of Test cricket this century in the Frank Worrell Trophy series opener.
Shamar Joseph's rise from a remote Guyana village to Test cricketer in the space of two years is as good as it gets, even before his 5-94 against Australia on Thursday.
But less than an hour after Joseph completed his historic five-wicket haul, West Indies were fighting off their biggest capitulation in Test history.
They had slumped to 4-19 inside nine overs in the second innings, still trailing Australia by 76 runs and facing defeat inside two days for the first time ever.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul was caught behind first ball for a duck.
Fellow opener Kraigg Brathwaite made one, Alick Athanaze wasted a review for his one and Kavem Hodge edged to slip for three.
But Kirk McKenzie (26) and Justin Greaves (24) ensured defeat would not come on Thursday, with West Indies 6-73 at stumps and the deficit 22.
At this stage it would require a miracle for the Adelaide Test to reach the weekend or the West Indies to beat Australia in a Test for the first time in 20 years.
The West Indies side is one torn apart by the lure of Twenty20 leagues, with three debutants in their team and two players featuring in only their second Test.
That has at least gifted them the likes of Greaves and Joseph, with the latter's wickets making him the first West Indies bowler to take five on debut in 16 years and the 10th West Indian to take five or more wickets in an innings on Test debut.
"It's an amazing feeling right now, the only thing left for me is to bring tears to my eyes," Joseph told Fox Cricket on Thursday.
"I'm really happy to be at this big stage in Australia and take a five-wicket haul against Australia mean a lot to me.
"It is amazing for me, Test cricket is lovely."
Joseph's dazzling debut comes after he only played his first professional cricket match last February, having grown up using limes and lemons for cricket balls in the river village of Baracara, which is a six-hour boat ride from its nearest town.
"His performances speak for themselves ... the passion that he has brought, pretty much what you see what you get," West Indies coach Andre Coley said.
"We took him to South Africa earlier (for an A tour), we knew he was inexperienced but he had pace, he had a natural ability to work to a plan and be consistent.
"He has showed what he's capable of in his first Test match."
Joseph's debut will likely become what this Adelaide Test is remembered for.
But on the scoreboard it is more of the same for West Indies.
