Just three years prior to etching his name into West Indies folklore, Shamar Joseph made a crucial decision to depart from Baracara, a remote village in Guyana, in pursuit of better employment opportunities.
“I am not hesitant to express this… there will be instances when T20 cricket may take precedence, and Test cricket will be there. Nevertheless, I will consistently make myself available to play for the West Indies, regardless of the financial offers that may come my way,” stated Shamar Joseph during a press conference alongside his captain, Kraigg Brathwaite, who proceeded to offer him encouraging pats on the back.
This declaration got somewhat overshadowed in the wave of optimism among West Indies fans and cricket enthusiasts in general, following the Caribbean team’s remarkable upset against the reigning world Test champions and world No.1, Australia, at the Gabba in Brisbane.
The challenges facing the West Indies seemed insurmountable. In the four years leading up to this game, they had only managed to secure victory in two Test matches. Occupying the eighth spot in the ICC rankings, notable players such as Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers opted to skip this series, redirecting their focus to T20 leagues in anticipation of the upcoming T20 World Cup. The West Indies had not triumphed over Australia in a Test match since 2003 and had not emerged victorious Down Under since 1996/97. Adding to the adversity, the depleted West Indies team had suffered a significant defeat in the initial Test of the series.
In the face of these challenges, Shamar Joseph, making his Test debut in that match, stood out as the lone positive for the West Indies. Notably, he dismissed Steve Smith with the very first ball of his Test career and went on to claim five wickets. In the second Test, with Australia requiring just 26 runs to win in their second innings, Joseph bowled only 1.4 overs but delivered some formidable deliveries, including a vicious bouncer that sent back Usman Khawaja.
Joseph emerged as the focal point of the West Indies’ historic triumph in the second Test, reigniting interest in the narrative of his life. The significance of his achievement even resonated with South Africa’s AB de Villiers, who admitted that it brought a tear to his eye.
Shamar Joseph’s Story: From a Village by the Canje River to West Indies’ Remarkable Moment’s Face at the Gabba
Joseph’s upbringing unfolded in Baracara, a secluded village nestled along the Canje river in Guyana. Accessible solely by boat from the port city of New Amsterdam, the village gained landline and internet connectivity only in 2018. In this remote setting, Joseph, much like many others in the village, toiled as a logger. His life took a potentially fatal turn three years ago when a tree nearly claimed him, a close call that occurred while his partner was pregnant. This dual impetus prompted him to leave Baracara in pursuit of better employment opportunities.
Embarking on a 121km boat journey from his native village to New Amsterdam, Joseph initially found employment in construction. However, his fear of heights proved to be a hindrance, leading him to take on the role of a laborer. “But I wasn’t very good at my job. I am scared of heights and this job involved working at great heights. So, I just ended up becoming a laborer there,” Joseph told Cricbuzz. Subsequently, he transitioned to a job as a security guard, working grueling 12-hour shifts. Under such circumstances, engaging in any form of cricket seemed implausible.
Reflecting on his experience, Joseph expressed no regrets about his time as a security guard, emphasizing that it provided the means to support his family. Despite the challenges, he appreciated the positive environment and the camaraderie of working alongside good people. This journey laid the groundwork for Joseph’s eventual ascent to becoming a part of West Indies cricket folklore.
From Fruits and Tape Balls to Curtly Ambrose’s Praise
Joseph’s cricket journey was deeply influenced by the legendary figures of Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose, whose performances he avidly watched in the grainy broadcasts that reached his village. In tape ball games, he would imitate these cricket icons, using unconventional items like lemons, limes, guavas, and peaches as makeshift cricket balls.
Upon relocating to New Amsterdam, Joseph found himself living next to Romario Shepherd, an accomplished all-rounder who had represented the West Indies in both ODIs and T20Is. Shepherd, in turn, introduced Joseph to the Guyana cricket team and their head coach, Esuan Crandon. During a brief training stint with the national players, Joseph had the unique opportunity to attend a fast bowling clinic in Berbice, personally run by none other than Curtly Ambrose.
Ambrose, having witnessed Joseph’s bowling, tapped him on the shoulder and set a challenge: to see Joseph in the Guyana team the following year. True to his word, Joseph delivered a standout performance, claiming eight wickets in a trial game. This accomplishment earned him his maiden call-up to the team. Ambrose, pleased with Joseph’s commitment, reached out immediately, expressing his happiness and pride. The legendary fast bowler continued to offer guidance and support, fostering a mentor-student relationship that endures to this day.
Who is Shamar Joseph?
Shamar Joseph is a Guyanese cricketer who represents Guyana in first-class cricket and plays for the West Indies in international cricket. He specializes as a right-arm fast bowler.
Shamar Joseph’s Journey From Division 1 Debut to Blockbuster International Start
Joseph’s breakthrough in Division 1 cricket marked a significant turning point in his career. On his debut, he showcased his prowess with remarkable figures of 6/13, making a powerful statement. While continuing to ply his trade in club cricket, he also served as a net bowler in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), gaining exposure to the higher echelons of the sport.
In a notable move, Guyana named him among four uncapped players for the first-class season in February of the following year. This transition prompted Joseph to grapple with newfound concepts like fitness and structured training. Admitting his initial lack of familiarity with fitness routines, he recalled the novelty of activities like running through cones during first-class cricket, emphasizing that everything was a learning experience.
“Someone asked me once, if my bowling was just natural ability or if I’d trained to get here. And I didn’t know what training meant. It was just natural ability, I said. I did running. But I didn’t know that running was part of fitness. I remember when I played first-class cricket, all this running through cones and stuff, I had no idea about. Everything was new for me,” he said.
Joseph made his first-class debut on February 1, 2023, against Barbados. Subsequently, he earned recognition as a replacement for the injured Keemo Paul in the CPL, representing the Guyana Amazon Warriors. Grateful for the opportunity, Joseph acknowledged the role of Guyana’s talent scout, Prasanna Agoram, who convinced captain Imran Tahir to sign him based on his performances as a net bowler.
These events marked the beginning of Joseph’s meteoric ascent through the ranks, culminating in his selection as one of seven debutants in the West Indies squad for their two-Test tour of Australia. The pinnacle of this journey was the blockbuster first delivery in international cricket that dismissed Steve Smith, making Joseph an instant sensation. Despite a crushed toe in the second Test, his remarkable 10-over spell contributed significantly to the historic victory that moved cricket legends like Brian Lara and Carl Hooper to tears.
