In a thrilling first day of the Australia vs. West Indies Test match in Adelaide, debutant Shamar Joseph made headlines with his remarkable performance, marking a dream start to his international cricket career.
The West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite announced at the toss that three players were making their debut. Among them was Shamar Joseph, a fast bowler representing the West Indies for the first time, who had an eventful day on the field.
Batting at No. 11, the 24-year-old displayed his batting prowess, contributing a spirited 36 runs off 41 balls, which included three fours and a six, before being dismissed by Nathan Lyon. Despite the team’s initial struggle, Joseph’s innings helped West Indies reach a respectable total of 188.
However, it was with the ball that Joseph truly shone. He made an immediate impact by claiming the wicket of the legendary Steve Smith off his very first delivery in international cricket. Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Joseph expressed his excitement, stating, “Getting Steve Smith, I’ll remember this for the rest of my life. I’ll actually take a picture, and post it up in my house.”
Joseph had previously predicted to his teammates that he would take a wicket off his first ball, showcasing his confidence and belief in his abilities. “I didn’t know it was Steve Smith,” he said. “That went well for me. I went with a positive mindset. You’re coming up against the best team in Test cricket. So I just come with a positive mindset and do what I do best.”
Describing the delivery that dismissed Smith, Joseph explained, “I didn’t miss my run-up; I was just nervous (ahead of his initial run-up). So I just went and built in my mind to get the first ball right – just on top of off stump. I [had] watched back a few Test matches of Steve Smith, and I think that is an area of weakness for him. So I just say that I will just hit the top of off because he’s a batter that triggers across a lot; he tries to take you off of your line. So I just stuck to the basic, hit just on top of off, getting a little movement away, and got the edge.”
Following his initial success, Joseph continued to impress, dismissing Marnus Labuschagne and showcasing his skill and determination against Australia’s formidable batting lineup. Despite facing a blow to his helmet from Mitchell Starc, Joseph fearlessly went on to hit Starc for a boundary and then launched Josh Hazlewood for a six, demonstrating his resilience and adaptability.
Hailing from a remote village called Baracara, Joseph expressed his gratitude for the support he has received from his community. “I know the support up there is really lovely and amazing for me. I could actually feel it from here. I want to do so much for Baracara. It might not happen when I want it to. But I know in the future I will go up there and do a lot for them because they always support me,” Joseph said about his village and the support he receives from there.
Joseph’s remarkable debut performance has not only made him a rising star in West Indian cricket but has also captured the imagination of cricket fans worldwide. As he continues his journey in international cricket, Joseph’s talent and determination are sure to be closely watched and celebrated.
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