Share this content:
In the sport of cricket, we witnessed one of the greatest test match results over the weekend with England’s amazing win over India in their 1st test. A monstrous 196 runs from England batter Ollie Pope, backed with 7-62 from debutant spinner Tom Hartley, was no mean feat, considering India has only lost three 1st test matches at home this series. However, the other performance that sent shockwaves around the world was the West Indies defeating Australia in the 2nd Test at the Gabba in a nail-biting match by 8 runs.
This was the first victory in Australia for 27 years. And why this result eclipses England’s victory is that Australia is the World Test Champions’ number one. Secondly, the West Indies had 7 debutants on this tour, 6 played the second match in the second test, and thirdly, one of those debutants, Shamar Joseph, has an interesting story. Eighteen months ago, he was a part-time cricketer, working as a security guard in his homeland in Guyana on a 12-hour shift to support his parents, one of 8 kids. After bowling in the nets to professionals as part of the preparation for a T20 fixture, he impressed a Guyanese international who referred him to the head coach of Guyana. And after making an instant impression on the head coach, he put himself in contention to break into the side, eventually becoming a professional and playing first-class cricket a year ago.
When a regular test player was ruled out through injury for the Australian tour, Joseph was called up to the West Indies. Along with the other untried talent, there was no expectation of success for the team. It was to give them exposure to international cricket given the allure of franchise cricket, which affects the West Indies more than any other nation to rebuild the much-criticised Test team. After getting thrashed in the 1st Test, Shamar Joseph received many plaudits as he dismissed one of the greatest Australian batsmen of all time, Steve Smith, with his first-ever delivery in test cricket and made a 50 with the bat as the last batsman on his debut. As a result, he received the Man of the Match award.
The following week, the West Indies put on a competitive display in the 2nd Test, and by Day 3, the test match was in the balance, although slightly favoring Australia, given the number ranking coupled with the fact they were playing at home. Additionally, while batting for the West Indies, Shamar Joseph was struck on the toe and was carried off injured. Knowing that the match was finely poised, this was a massive blow to any chance the West Indies may have had to get a positive result from the match. On the morning of Day 4, with a swollen and smashed toe, he was not expected to play any part in the day’s play and turned up to support the team. However, after taking some painkillers, he was told he was going to play by his captain Kraigg Brathwaite, after reacting well to the medication. As he did not expect to be needed, he turned up to the game without any kit and started the match wearing the substitutes’ uniform. After team staff were summoned to collect his kit on his behalf, he was able to put on his jersey and bowl possibly the greatest 12-over spell in test match cricket history.
He ended up with figures of 7/68, taking the decisive wicket with Australia needing just 8 runs to win. West Indies had won their first test in Australia since 1997 and tied the series in the final match. After the match, he received the Man of the Match and Man of the Series awards, despite Australia retaining the Frank Worrell Trophy. Shamar Joseph’s performance was one of the greatest in West Indies cricket, defying the odds to beat Australia when they had an advantage. It is one of the most important moments for the West Indies as it has totally rejuvenated their belief in their Test cricket.
This triumph, led by the remarkable journey of Shamar Joseph from a part-time cricketer to a Test match hero, epitomises the spirit of resilience and perseverance. His extraordinary performance not only secured a historic win but also reignited the passion and belief in West Indies cricket. My late father will be definitely be smiling in heaven at the achievements of the Windies. Let’s hope they can keep it up.
