Shamar Joseph unexpectedly stole the show at the Gabba, delivering an outstanding seven-wicket performance that secured a momentous in the second Test between Aus vs WI.
The team hadn’t beaten the formidable Aussies on their home ground since 1997, a period that began two years before Joseph was even born.
Advertisement
Despite playing in just his second Test and nursing a toe injury, the 24-year-old defied nearly three decades of history to etch his name into the cricketing record books.
Joseph had sustained a toe injury from a Mitchell Starc yorker on Saturday evening, which forced him to leave the field. Despite visibly limping between overs during the run-chase, he displayed remarkable resilience.
“I wasn’t even planning to come to the ground this morning,” he later revealed. “But the team doctor insisted, and he worked his magic on my toe.”
In Aus vs WI the Knagaroos started the day’s play with two wickets down, Joseph claimed seven of the eight wickets that fell. The young West Indies team, missing key players like Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers, pulled off a monumental upset as Australia suffered their first-ever defeat in a day-night match.
Joseph’s sensational spell included bowling Cameron Green, yorking Travis Head for a king pair, having Mitchell Marsh caught at slip, dismissing Alex Carey, inducing a top-edge from Mitchell Starc, witnessing a spectacular catch by Joshua de Silva to dismiss Pat Cummins, and ending with Josh Hazlewood’s off-stump knocked back.
The celebrations that ensued were joyous and far-reaching.
“This is just unbelievable,” exclaimed Brian Lara, who commented on the match. “I’m so proud of everyone on that team.”
Joseph, who was a net-bowler in the Caribbean Premier League just months ago and only made his first-class debut last February, expressed that the win felt like winning the series.
“We’ve won the series, even though it’s 1-1. It’s incredible for my teammates; they’ve been incredibly supportive. I’m glad I could make them proud,” Joseph said.
“I could’ve shed tears just now, but I already cried when I got my five-wicket haul. It’s just pure happiness. I’m thrilled that we won the Test – it’s been too long since we last beat Australia. But today is a huge day for us, and I just want everyone to enjoy it, celebrate it, and be happy.
“I promised my captain I’d bowl until the end until the last wicket fell. My toe doesn’t matter; I was determined to give my all for the team.”
