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Shamar Joseph’s fairytale start in Test cricket with a stunning seven-wicket haul to defeat Australia in Australia for the first time since 1997 – on a day in which he considered not even coming to the ground due to a toe injury.
The Guyanese quick took 7/68, including the winning wicket of Josh Hazlewood, leaving the cricket world stunned at the performance of Joseph in just his second ever Test.
And immediately after the victory, captain Kraigg Brathwaite took aim at former Aussie bowler Rodney Hogg in a combative post-match interview.
“I must say we had two words that inspired us in this Test match – Mr. Rodney Hogg said that we were ‘pathetic and hopeless’. That was our inspiration,” he said.
“We wanted to show the world we’re not pathetic. And I must ask him: are these muscles big enough for him?
Shamar Joseph celebrates dismissing Travis Head. (Photo by Chris Hyde – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
In the media conference after the win that drew the series at 1-1, Brathwaite elaborated on Hogg’s comments.
“He expressed himself about how he felt about us as a group and we wanted to let him know that we heard him. We planned well as a group, but we saw his words and that was extra motivation for us as well,” he said.
“Test match cricket is never easy (or) winning Test matches. When you have a guy disrespecting West Indies, and us players that are playing, it is hurtful.”
Tears were flowing in the commentary box from Brian Lara when Hazlewood’s off-stump went cartwheeling.
“Unbelievable! 27 years to beat Australia in Australia,” said the Windies legend.
“Young, inexperienced, written off, this West Indies team can stand tall today! West Indies cricket can stand tall today! Today is a big day in West Indies cricket.
“Congratulations, congratulations to every single member of that West Indies team. What a wonderful occasion.”
Adam Gilchrist added that moments of high emotion such as this were why the longest format was the pinnacle of the sport.
“Look at the emotion here,” he said.
“(This is) exactly why Test cricket is so special to all of us who know anything about the game. That’s exactly what you’re talking about.
“A hero is born. The name Joseph will ring long into the future of West Indian cricket.”
Ian Smith paid tribute to the 24-year-old fast bowler.
“What sore toe?” he said.
“Seven wickets and a lap of the Gabba. The lights don’t go out in Barbados or anywhere in the Caribbean.
“He holds the ball aloft for just the second time in his short Test career. It was special in Adelaide, but honestly, this is one of the most special things I’ve seen in Test cricket from a newbie – ever.
“Last night, this fellow hobbled off the ground in tears because he couldn’t bat anymore and probably wasn’t going to bowl today. And now, he’s won a Test match.”
Lara, who has worked extensively with the West Indies team, had the final say.
“It’s a very young group, very impressionable. They want to learn, they want to get better. They’ve been thrown in at the deep end.
“The name Shamar Joseph – you’re going to hear his name loud and clear in world cricket from today.”
Joseph was struck on the toe late on Saturday night and retired hurt and was a long shot to bowl, but produced a miraculous spell to dismiss Cameron Green, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Mitch Marsh, Mitch Starc and Pat Cummins within a session.
Two of his balls, to Head and Carey, were picture perfect yorkers of the sort that hit Joseph himself the night before, with Marsh and Cummins nicking behind, Green chopping on and Starc skying a ball to midwicket.
“I knew I had Shamar probably an hour before play,” reflected Brathwaite.
“The doctor said he got an injection and he’s quite good and then he told me he’s going to do it. I had to back him.
“He’s a superstar and I know he’ll do great things for West Indies in the future. Just his belief. It’s a great example for this team to follow.
“This is the beginning. We have to continue and play with heart and keep fighting for West Indies. I would love more Test cricket for sure.”
The superb showing on Day 4 prompted Windies legend Ian Bishop to call for the West Indies and regional governments to back the side more in the hope that players like Joseph could be kept in Test cricket.
“Important for the board, Guyana govt & cooperate bodies to find a way to allocate funds to compensate Shamar Joseph & 1 or 2 other fast bowlers to keep them in the Caribbean & control how much cricket they play. Their pace is everything. Don’t allow burnout,” he tweeted.
“This has been one of the best test matches I’ve been privileged to witness. Shamar Joseph is a superstar in the making. What a first test match tour.”
Joseph was hit on the full and given out lbw for three at the Gabba on Saturday night, but the dismissal was reversed when replays showed Starc had bowled a no-ball.
The No.11 was unable to continue though, looking in severe pain as he immediately removed his shoe and was assisted off the field.
Joseph’s departure meant the West Indies innings was closed, the visitors setting Australia 216 to secure a 2-0 series clean sweep.
The quick did not return to the field as Australia moved to 2-60 but was later assessed and cleared of any fracture.
At the time, his participation in the fourth innings was in doubt.
“That’s a painful blow, you saw him straight away, right on the front of that boot,” Michael Vaughan said in Fox Sports commentary.
The 24-year-old has been a shining light for the visitors, taking a five-wicket haul on Test debut in Adelaide including the scalp of Steve Smith with his first delivery.
The tourists have not won a Test in Australia since 1997, going five completed series since a Brian Lara century set up a 10-wicket triumph in Perth 27 years ago.
Travis Head is one of the best bats that Australia has – just not at The Gabba.
The South Australian was left with a king pair after a second innings stunner from Joseph that left his stumps in ruins.
As a result of the wicket, Head’s last four balls in Brisbane are WWWW – four consecutive wickets.
He was bowled today and caught down the leg side off the bowling of Kemar Roach in the first innings.
Last year against South Africa, he was also strangled down leg by Kagiso Rabada first ball of the second innings and dismissed for 92 by Marco Jansen – which, obviously, was the last ball of that innings.
Nathan Lyon reckons Cam Green can be Test cricket’s next Jacques Kallis and has laughed off concerns over Steve Smith.
Green returned to the team in his preferred position for the Adelaide Test after Smith was shuffled forward to open in place of the retired David Warner.
Kemar Roach celebrates dismissing Cameron Green in Brisbane. (Photo by Albert Perez – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
Lyon’s view, though, is that the case is already closed.
“There is so much confidence in that change room around all the guys and not just Smithy batting at No.1 and Cameron at number four,” he said after taking 3-42 in 22 overs on an oppressively hot Saturday.
“I have had the challenge of bowling to Greeny in Shield cricket with him batting at No.4 and he has given me a lot of headaches.
“I actually enjoy seeing him bat at number four and I feel like he could be the next Jacques Kallis of international cricket at number four.”
South African allrounder Kallis averaged 55 with the bat and 32 with the ball across 166 Tests, managing an incredible 45 centuries to go with 292 wickets.
West Australian Green has a first-class batting average of 46, mostly batting at No.4, along with 71 wickets at 33.
He looked to have found his home in Australia’s Test team when he notched a maiden century in India early last year.
But he has a highest score of 42 (from the second innings at the Gabba) in 12 Test knocks since and was eventually replaced by Mitchell Marsh during last year’s Ashes before slotting back in once Warner left the scene.
© AAP
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