Shamar Joseph the new whizzkid in world cricket – Heroic return despite injury has unearthed a superstar who single handedly destroyed Australia – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (eLanka Sports editor)
Heroism doesn’t come better than West Indies whizkid Shamar Josep, the 24- year -old on debut, who turned a Test that looked done and dusted, to a nail biter where the cocky touring upstarts pulled off a sensational 8-run victory over Australia at the Gabba much against the odds.
The electrifying end to a magnificent Test, saw Australia crumble ending hopes of a clean sweep, as the tourists produced the unthinkable and turned the tables on the back of a sensational hero to a 1-1 series decider.
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Shamar Joseph, visibly hobbling and on pain killers, turned in a fantastic performance with the ball knocking over Australia’s famed batting line-up to claim an unforgettable 7 for 68 off 11.5 overs. He showed better control and success in the series with the red and unpredictable Pink ball than his more experienced counterparts.
Only Steve Smith stood in defiance at the other end carrying his bat for an unbeaten 91 while all around him fell in a sensational procession in a dramatic fourth days play.
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The new superstar of world cricket who had a sad beginning to the game he loved, was not far from the days of being obliged to others to buy him a ticket to matches back home and did not even have enough money to buy his own cricket gear. He will never be in that situation again after this famous rags to riches story.
By virtue of being holders, Australia still held on to the Worrel/Border Trophy.
But the loss at home came at a price bringing an end to a chain of successes of the recent past including Ashes success and a clean sweep against the more fancied Pakistanis.
A Mitchell Stark toe crushing yorker on day three which seemed to fracture Shamar Joseph’s right big toe, suggested an end to the tourists chances of making it a contest as he was ferried off to hospital for scans.
Australia only needed 216 to clinch victory, but losing two wickets by the close of day three, there was an air of trepidation when Shamar stunned the crowd with his reappearance after what seemed like a crippling injury.
Against all expectations, Joseph made a shock return to wreck Australia’s batting despite the injury, and the game was turned on its head as he prised out Australia’s best batters setting up an epic finish.
The psychological blow to Joseph appeared to take the wind out of the West Indian sails as they threatened to set up an imposing target then folded unlike their timely stellar first innings effort.
Australia continued to heap more pain on the West Indies batters whose inability to handle pace and swing sent them tumbling to another unflattering total.
Josh Hazelwood, Skipper Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Stark were the destroyers once more underlining the West Indies batters lack of preparation on how to handle Australian conditions.
Ineffective strokeplay and lack of footwork was another evident downfall of the Windies batters who lacked the intricacies associated with the required temperament for Test cricket. The shot selection against the rising ball needs addressing.
They were clearly unnerved by the pace and bounce of Australian wickets but their bowlers impressed in the conditions.
West Indian skipper Kraigg Braithwaite won the toss and elected to bat in the only Pink ball Test and they were soon in trouble when Josh Hazelwood struck in his second over removing opener Kraigg Braithwaite with 28 on the board.
Apart from invaluable experience against arguably one of the best bowling attacks in the world, the West Indies will take back lessons learnt and the need for proper homework before embarking on an Australian adventure. This tour, despite the inexperienced line-up, was by no way a disaster thanks to Shamar Joseph’s heroics.
In terms of where they have been in the recent past, West Indies are well on the way back to their glory days that has eluded them for a long period of time.
Beating Australia at home augurs well for the beleaguered Windies who have been among the cellar dwellers of the world game in all formats.
But they still have some proving to do on terms of consistency. The young brigade sent out to prove a point has me in blushes as I predicted an Australian clean sweep.
Is this the dawning of a resurgence of West Indies cricket that has been long looked forward to? The answer is in the wind.
