Who Is Shamar Joseph? The Man Who Used To Work As Security Guard, Dismantled Australia

Things were not looking good for West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph as he was forced to retire hurt after copping a blow on his toe, following a vicious yorker from Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc. As a result, West Indies were bowled out for 193 on Day 3 of the 2nd Test in Brisbane. However, with Australia needing just 216 runs to sweep the two-match series, Shamar, who made his debut in the series opener, was taken for scans and thankfully, there was no fracture detected.

Despite not being 100 per cent, Joseph came out to bowl with extra-motivation in the fourth innings.

"I wasn't even going to come to the ground today. But the doctor did something to my toe. I don't know what he did. But it worked," Joseph told after the match.

Not only did he bowl, Joseph orchestrated West Indies' first Test win on Australian soil in 27 years.

With the pink-ball in hand, Joseph started the carnage with the wicket of Usman Khawaja on Day 3. 

He eventually returned with figures of 7/68 in 11.5 overs to bowl Australia out for 207.

"I was in pain. But I told my captain that I will bowl till the Australian wicket falls no matter how much my toe hurts," Joseph further revealed.

West Indies last won in Australia at the WACA in Perth in 1997. The legendary Curtly Ambrose had taken seven wickets in that Test, while Brian Lara, who was present at the Gabba on Sunday, hit 132 in the first innings.

Who is Shamar Joseph?

Shamar Joseph was born on 31 August 1999 in Baracara, Guyana. He grew up idolising legendary West Indies pacers Ambrose and Courtney Walsh. In 2021, he was working as s security guard in Berbice. The financial situation of Joseph was such that he used to use melted bottles and fruits as cricket balls.

Joseph first caught the eyes while playing for Tucber Park Cricket Club in a few first-division and second-division matches.

However, he got his first break in cricket through fellow Guyanese, Romario Shephered, who is now his neighbour.

Joseph made his first-class debut for Guyana against Barbados on 1 February 2023 during the 2022-23 West Indies Championship.

Last year in October, he made his List-A debut for Guyana against Barbados during the 2023-24 Super50 Cup.

During last year's Caribbean Premier League, he was named as an injury replacement for Keemo Paul in the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad. However, he played just two games in the season.

In December 2023, Joseph earned his maiden Test call-up for the two-match series against Australia.

On his debut, he impressed straightaway, striking on his very first ball in Test cricket. He became just the second West Indies cricketer after Tyrell Johnson to take a wicket on his first ball in Test cricket.

Topics mentioned in this article

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