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West Indies’ young pace sensation Shamar Joseph made a remarkable beginning to his international career by picking up a wicket on his very first ball. Joseph achieved the feat on Day 1 of the first Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide on Wednesday, January 17. The 24-year-old was one of the three names who debuted for West Indies in the first of the 2-Test series against Australia, and needless to say, he has already made a name for himself in the first Test.
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After dismissing Steven Smith on the first ball, Joseph further dented the Aussie batting lineup after he picked Marnus Labuschagne’s wicket in the 15th over. Earlier, batting for his side, Joseph joined senior pacer Kemar Roach in the middle and the two added 55 runs for the last wicket. Joseph scored a crucial 36 runs with the help of three boundaries to end his side’s innings at 188 runs.
Watch Shamar Joseph dismisses Steve Smith on his first ball in Tests:
Joseph hails from a small village of Baracara, Guyana and he grew up in a large family with five brothers and three sisters. The 24-year-old was raised in a humble environment and had inaccessibility to telephone and internet services till 2018. The part of Guyana, where he grew up was accessible only by a two-day boat trip up the Canje River. The young pacer idolised legendary West Indies fast bowlers Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh, and despite not having access to regular amenities, he kept watching their highlights.
Watch Shamar gets Cameroon Green as his third wicket:
Before pursuing his interest in cricket, Joseph worked as a bodyguard to support his family, including his 2-year-old kid. Despite having a full-time job, the Windies sensation didn’t let go of his passion and made a bold decision to quit his job to pursue the game. He played his first first-class game for the Guyana Harpy Eagles in February 2023. In three games he played in the season, he took nine wickets, which booked him a spot in the West Indies A squad against South Africa.
Shamar made his Caribbean Premier League debut in 2023 and played two games for the Champions Guyana Amazon Warriors. During West Indies’ tour to South Africa, Joseph ended up as the joint-wicket taker that caught selectors’ attention and landed him a spot in the squad against the Australia Test.
