Shamar Joseph stunned the cricket world. Now he wants another crack at Australia … and Konstas

Bridgetown: Vision of Shamar Joseph tearing around the Gabba, arms outstretched in jubilation after knocking over Josh Hazlewood’s off stump, was one of the most stirring advertisements for Test cricket.

The West Indies had pulled off the unthinkable – their first Test win in Australia in 27 years – led by a raw and fearless fast bowler with a busted toe and plenty of heart.

Joseph’s final-day figures of 7-68 in Brisbane sealed a famous eight-run victory and secured his place in Caribbean cricket folklore.

“To take 13 wickets across the series was a good feeling,” Joseph says as a smile creeps across his face while reflecting on that unforgettable week in January 2024.

Now, he wants more. This time at home.

A few days out from the first Test against Australia in Barbados, starting on Wednesday, Joseph is sitting in the player dugout at Kensington Oval as heavy rain from an unexpected thunderstorm pounds the covers on the square.

West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph ahead of the first Test against Australia in Barbados.Credit: CWI Media

A press conference for a different player has been scheduled but no local reporters turn up. Joseph, a softly spoken figure, is more than happy to chat under the Sir Garfield Sobers Pavilion.

The West Indies have just finished training in hot and humid conditions at nearby nets ahead of a match where Joseph could take centre stage once again.

In just two Tests against Australia, Joseph became a hero in the Caribbean.

After removing Steve Smith with his first delivery in Test cricket, Joseph finished those two matches with 13 wickets and 57 runs. Then came a hero’s welcome across the Caribbean.

Shamar Joseph with the Richie Benaud Medal after his heroics at the Gabba. Credit: Getty

“A lot has changed,” Joseph says. “There were a lot of opportunities that came my way.

“There was a big welcome by fellow Guyanese people and all over the Caribbean. Everywhere I go, there are a lot of congratulations and a lot of love has been shown towards me because of my achievement. Not just my achievement, but West Indies cricket overall. It’s been a while since we have done something great against Australia.”

Joseph returned home to the remote riverside Guyanese village of Baracara to celebrate before the next whirlwind: a contract with the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL.

There were concerns Joseph might drift into the T20 circuit, but he says Test cricket is still very close to his heart.

“This man may be the saviour in the purest form of the game,” former Australian captain Steve Waugh wrote on Instagram at the time of Joseph’s heroics. “Cinderella stories are rare in sport but this was truly epic from a young man who has single-handedly reignited the passion of cricket followers in the Caribbean and all over the world.”

After such a magnificent start to his career, it was always going to be difficult for Joseph to maintain such a high standard of world-class fast bowling.

He played three Tests against England in mid-2024, taking respective match figures of 0-68, 2-119 and 2-72.

Joseph picked up 12 wickets in his next three Tests against South Africa and Bangladesh, but hasn’t played a red ball match for the West Indies since November last year, having battled shin splints and hamstring issues.

Joseph was at this year’s IPL but didn’t play a game. He went wicketless in one-day internationals against Ireland and England, but recently, showed signs of rhythm in a West Indies A match against South Africa A, collecting 1-78 and 2-40.

In total, Joseph has 29 wickets from eight Tests at a healthy average of 26.75.

If selected, Joseph is eager to test himself against Australia again, including 19-year-old Sam Konstas, who turned heads with a bold Boxing Day debut.

Does Joseph think the teenager opener will have the audacity to try and ramp him?

Joseph grins. “Well, that’s up to him. I will do my part.

Sam Konstas plays a ramp shot against Jasprit Bumrah on day one of the Boxing Day Test.Credit: AP

“I think my pace will be back to normal again. I’m looking to put the ball in my areas and I’m up for the challenge.

“I actually saw him [Konstas] against India playing his shots. It was encouraging him coming out as a youngster making his debut with that confidence.

“I just want to stay focused.”

Shamar Joseph at West Indies training. Credit: CWI Media

Joseph says he’s learned plenty since his debut and still exchanges the occasional message with Australian captain Pat Cummins, who he met again during the IPL.

“He just encouraged me to keep doing the hard work,” Joseph says. “He said to remember what I did to get here and keep doing the best I can.”

Joseph’s match-winning performance at the Gabba reduced West Indies legend Brian Lara to tears in the commentary box. The last time the West Indies beat Australia before that Gabba Test was when Lara made 60 in a world-record fourth-innings run chase of 418 in Antigua in 2003.

Joseph believes his team can deliver another upset across a series that heads to Barbados, Grenada and Jamaica.

“There’s a lot of confidence. We work as a team to be successful,” Joseph says.

“It is a very important series for us because it’s in our backyard. We don’t want to play catch up. We want to win the first Test match. We want to use our home advantage as much as we can.”

And what about the local crowd? Will they give the Australians a hard time?

Joseph laughs.

“It all depends on us and what we give the fans,” he says.

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