West Indian paceman Shamar Joseph issues chilling warning to teenage Aussie star Sam Konstas

Shamar Joseph has already rattled Australia’s cage – and won. And now the West Indian tearaway quick has set his sights on taking down teen sensation Sam Konstas.

Shamar Joseph has a message for Sam Konstas: “Just look out, that’s all.”

The Guyanese paceman who memorably hauled the West Indies to a breakthrough Test victory at the Gabba in his maiden series early last year is back and keen for a piece of Australian batting’s shiny new toy.

It shapes as a tantalising duel within the duel when the Frank Worrell Trophy series begins on Thursday (AEST) at Kensington Oval in Barbados.

“I watched the Test match (Konstas’ debut) against India. He looks like a stylish player,” Joseph told this masthead when asked about Konstas, who has been recalled to the Australian side for the first Test against the Windies.

“But, I mean, on the day, it’s all about execution, and I’m based on my consistency and getting my ball through and hitting my area, right. So, I mean, I’m up for the battle anytime.”

Shamar Joseph has hurt Australia before – and now he has his sights on Sam Konstas. Picture: Getty

International debuts in both white-ball formats and an Indian Premier League deal with the Lucknow Super Giants have followed for Joseph since he ran through the Aussies in Brisbane, taking 7-68 in the hosts’ second innings to secure the Windies’ first Test win on those shores in 27 years.

But he retains close ties to his remote home village of Baracara.

“You can feel it all the way from here, even though I’m not getting to see them, I know that the support is there for me.”

His father Eustace is on his mind, unable to make it to Barbados because of illness.

“I have a few cousins over here,” Joseph said.

“My dad is not well, but I would have loved for him to come and watch me play this period. He have only watched me play Test cricket one time, that was in Guyana. I would have loved for him to come and watch me play. He and mum, but he’s not too well, so I just wish him speedy recovery, that he could get strong and come and watch me again.”

Since the high of the Brisbane win, Joseph has played six Tests, claiming 16 wickets at a solid if unspectacular average of 34.43.

The Windies haven’t been a consistent force in Test cricket for decades, and have finished second bottom in all three World Test Championship cycles.

Sam Konstas has already taken on one of the best fast bowlers on the planet, Jasprit Bumrah. Picture: Getty

But with South Africa having broken through to win the WTC earlier in the month, Joseph is daring to dream of more history.

“I would love to get myself in a WTC final. I mean, it’s great for us. It would be a great experience for us as young players, to engage in that kind of situation, because we saw Australia against South Africa lately and it was really enjoyable to watch. So I want to get myself there and take my team there.”

Australian vice-captain Travis Head said each of his side’s batters would need to determine their own mode of trying to combat the Joseph challenge.

“I think he’s wicket taker, he’s an aggressive bowler. He bowls to take wickets,” Head said.

“Do you try to get through spells? Do you put him under pressure. So there’s going to be guys that go about it different ways, but yeah, he looks he’s a wicket taker. When he comes on, he tries to change the game. He bowls with energy. So always an exciting contest. And it will be again, and he will be keen to try and replicate what he did in the summer.”

The Aussies’ optional training session at Kensington Oval on Monday morning (AEST) was marred by rain. The dropped Marnus Labuschagne, on his 31st birthday, was consigned to the role of net bowler.

Australia is yet to settle on an XI for the match. Spinner Matt Kuhnemann is a live chance to be recalled depending on pitch conditions.

Originally published as West Indian paceman Shamar Joseph issues chilling warning to teenage Aussie star Sam Konstas