Shamar Joseph

Shamar Joseph
Personal information
Born (1999-08-31) 31 August 1999 (age 25)
Baracara, Guyana
Height172 cm (5 ft 8 in)[1]
BattingLeft-handed
BowlingRight-arm fast
RoleBowler
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 337)17 January 2024 v Australia
Last Test15 August 2024 v South Africa
Only ODI (cap 224)2 November 2024 v England
T20I debut (cap 95)23 May 2024 v South Africa
Last T20I25 May 2024 v South Africa
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
2023-presentGuyana
2023-presentGuyana Amazon Warriors
2024Peshawar Zalmi
2024Lucknow Super Giants
Career statistics
Competition Test FC LA T20
Matches 6 11 2 2
Runs scored 157 222 5 0
Batting average 15.70 11.68 5.00 –
100s/50s 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0
Top score 36 36 5* 0*
Balls bowled 820 1,606 79 72
Wickets 22 43 2 0
Bowling average 25.90 23.90 39.50 –
5 wickets in innings 3 5 0 –
10 wickets in match 0 0 0 –
Best bowling 7/68 7/68 2/59 –
Catches/stumpings 0/– 2/– 0/– 0/–
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 28 January 2024

Shamar Joseph (born 31 August 1999) is a Guyanese cricketer who plays for Guyana in first-class cricket and for the West Indies in international cricket.[2][3] He is a right-arm fast bowler. He made his international debut for the West Indies in January 2024 against Australia at the Adelaide Oval.[4][5] Prior to his professional cricket career, he worked as a security guard.[6][7]

Biography

[edit]

Joseph is from Baracara, a small community in East Berbice-Corentyne, Guyana,[8][9] about 225 km up the Canje River and two days by boat from the port city of New Amsterdam.[10][11][12] He grew up with little to no access to internet facilities or telephone connections.[13][14]

Joseph grew up in a family of three sisters and five brothers.[10] He idolised Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh, opening bowlers for the West Indies cricket team, watching their highlights and imitating them in his tape ball games around the village.[10] He started bowling with fruits such as lemons, limes, guavas and peaches along with a tape ball, in what was dubbed "jungle-land cricket" in the region.[11][15][16] He also practiced using balls made of melted plastic bottles.[17]

He experienced his first taste of cricket playing for Tucber Park Cricket Club in a few first-division and second-division matches.[18] He became the first test cricketer from Baracara.[19][20]

Early career

[edit]

Prior to his cricket career, Joseph worked with his siblings and father in the logging industry, felling and chopping logs in the Baracara and transporting the timber down the Canje River to New Amsterdam.[11][14] Following an incident in which a falling tree nearly hit him, Joseph decided to move away from Baracara, and relocated to New Amsterdam seeking work to support his family.[11]

In New Amsterdam, Joseph found employment first in construction,[15] working as a labourer, and then as a security guard at the Amalgamated Security Services in Scotiabank, New Amsterdam.[11] His job as a security guard required him to work long, 12-hour shifts,[15] across day and night, leaving little scope for cricketing endeavours.[11][21] Eventually, with the support of his fiancée, Joseph decided to quit his job and pursue his cricketing ambitions full time.[22]

Domestic career

[edit]

It was through Romario Shepherd that Joseph got his first break in cricket. Shepherd introduced Joseph to the Guyana cricket team where Joseph connected with Esuan Crandon, the Guyana head coach, and with other senior Guyanese players including then Guyana team captain Leon Johnson.[15][23] He also received support from former Guyanese cricketer turned businessman Damion Vantull who assured Joseph to try his luck in cricket by forgoing the security guard job.[16] Joseph immediately made a great impression, recording debut figures of 6/13 in Division 1 cricket. He also attended a fast bowling clinic in Berbice run by Curtly Ambrose.[11] He also stamped his authority further when he took eight wickets in a trial game and it eventually prompted him to gain a call-up to first-class cricket.[15] Joseph also played club cricket for the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) Sports Club in Georgetown.[16]

Joseph was named as one of four uncapped players by the Guyana Harpy Eagles for the 55th edition of the Regional Four Day Competition and never played or represented Guyana at any level prior to his call-up for the first-class cricket tournament.[22] He made his first-class debut for Guyana against Barbados on 1 February 2023 during the 2022–23 West Indies Championship.[24][25] He took his first career five-wicket haul in first-class cricket against Windward Islands during the 2022–23 West Indies Championship and ended with figures of 5/41 in a spell bowling 12 overs.[26][27]

He was initially brought in as a net bowler by the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the 2023 Caribbean Premier League and made the 2023 squad as an injury replacement for Keemo Paul.[28] During his maiden CPL stint, he met Prasanna Agoram, the talent scout for Guyana Amazon Warriors, who encouraged Joseph to take his cricket career seriously.[11][29] Joseph has ever since shown his admiration towards Prasanna Agoram and Joseph called Agoram fondly as his "father and mother". It was Agoram who convinced then Guyana Amazon Warriors captain Imran Tahir to include Joseph in the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad for the 2023 CPL season.[30][11]

Joseph made his T20 debut in a league stage match against Barbados Royals on 17 September 2023.[31] Joseph was also one of the key members of the Guyana Amazon Warriors side, which emerged as 2023 champions in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).[32] Although he only played 2 matches in his 2023 maiden CPL Guyana Amazon Warriors stint, Joseph was remarkable in his ability to deliver short-pitched deliveries at speeds exceeding 140 kph consistently.

Joseph made his List A debut playing for Guyana against Barbados on 29 October 2023 during the 2023–24 Super50 Cup.[33] He was included in Guyana's squad as an 11th hour injury replacement for Ronsford Beaton for the 2023-24 CG Insurance Super50 Cup.[34][35] In November 2023, he was named in the West Indies A side for their tour of South Africa to play against the South African A side in a three-match first-class series.[36][37] He was impressive during the first-class series against the South African A side where he was the joint wicket-taker for the West Indies A side alongside Kevin Sinclair with 12 scalps.[10][15] In January 2024, Joseph was picked by Peshawar Zalmi during the 2024 Pakistan Super League players draft as a partial replacement for Gus Atkinson.[38][39]

In February 2024, he was picked by Lucknow Super Giants for INR 3 crores as a replacement for Mark Wood ahead of the 2024 Indian Premier League.[40][41] Shamar Joseph made his IPL debut against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata and further went on to bowl one of the longest over (10 balls) in IPL history and he went onto concede 22 runs in his opening over.[42][43][44]

International career

[edit]

In December 2023, Joseph was named as one of the seven uncapped players in the West Indies test squad for the tour of Australia as part of the 2023–2025 ICC World Test Championship.[45][46] He made his test debut at the Adelaide Oval on 17 January 2024 in the first test of the two-match series against Australia.[47] The first two spells he bowled at the Karen Rolton Oval against the Cricket Australia XI side earned him a place in the first test match of the series against Australia as his bowling spells impressed the West Indies selectors.[48][10]

He came in at number 11 on his test debut during the first innings of the West Indies and scored 36 runs off 41 deliveries.[49] He also put on a last wicket partnership of 55 runs with Kemar Roach to support the West Indies to a total of 188.[50][51] He registered the highest individual score by a West Indian number 11 batsman on test debut.[52]

Joseph also took a wicket off the first delivery he bowled in his test career when he dismissed Australian opener Steve Smith for 12 runs.[53][54][55] He also became only the second West Indies bowler to have taken a wicket off the first delivery bowled in test cricket after Tyrell Johnson when he drew Smith to edge it to Justin Greaves.[56][57][58] He also dismissed Marnus Labuschagne.[59] On 18 January 2024, he took his first five-wicket haul in test cricket by doing so on his test debut and became the tenth cricketer from the West Indies to take a five-wicket haul on test debut.[60][61] He also became the second bowler in test cricket history after Nathan Lyon to complete the double of having taken a wicket off the first ball in test career and for having taken five wickets on test debut in maiden innings. He also became the first West Indies player to achieve the unique distinction of having scored over 50 runs and to have taken a five-wicket haul on his test debut. Although, West Indies lost the first match by ten wickets,[62] Joseph became a fan favorite for his performances.[63][64]

On 28 January 2024, he picked up eight wickets in his second test match against Australia, and his second-innings spell of 7/68 in 11.5 overs helped the West Indies clinch a thrilling test win by a margin of eight runs.[65][66] He spearheaded the bowling performance for the West Indies, registering their first test win in Australia for 27 years.[67][68] He had earlier injured his toe while batting, when hit by a delivery off the bowling of Mitchell Starc during the second innings of West Indies side.[69][70] Joseph took the final wicket of the match by dismissing Hazlewood to complete a historic test victory and it sparked some joy to commentators including the likes of Ian Bishop who was quoted saying "A real dream come true for 'Joseph the Deliverer', for the West Indies."[71] Joseph also received player of the series award for his bowling performances throughout the series as he picked up 13 wickets.[72][73] He became the first West Indies player to receive player of the series award in his debut test series and eleventh overall to achieve such feat.[74][75]

In February 2024, Cricket West Indies officially confirmed an international retainer contract to Shamar Joseph following his performances against Australia in the test series.[76] He was awarded the ICC Men's Player of the Month award for the month of January 2024.[77][78] He also became the first ever West Indies player to win the ICC Men's Player of the Month award.[79][80][81]

In May 2024, he was included in the West Indies' squad for the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup as an uncapped player.[82][83][84]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Kemp, Emma (19 January 2024). "Meet the West Indies' destroyer who just made history". The Sydney Morning Herald. Even now, standing at 172cm, he is a fair whack shorter than both of those two-metre monoliths and has a height disadvantage on most fast bowlers.
  2. ^ "Shamar Joseph Profile - ICC Ranking, Age, Career Info & Stats". Cricbuzz. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Shamar Joseph Profile - Cricket Player West Indies | Stats, Records, Video". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  4. ^ AadyaS (17 January 2024). "Watch: 'Fairytale Beginning' – Debutant Shamar Joseph Claims First-Time Opener Steve Smith Off His First Ball In Test Cricket". Wisden. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  5. ^ Conn, Malcolm (17 January 2024). "'Steve Smith's my favourite player': Debutant's dream first ball in Test cricket a blow for new opener". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Shamar Joseph | cricket.com.au". www.cricket.com.au. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  7. ^ Brettig, Daniel (17 January 2024). "Smith's conqueror Joseph keeps Windies flame burning". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  8. ^ GTIMES (30 January 2023). "Tucber Park Cricket Club congratulates Smith and Joseph". Guyana Times. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Who is Shamar Joseph: Fast bowler from remote village in Guyana impresses on Test debut vs Australia in Adelaide". India Today. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d e "From Joseph to Imlach - A dossier on the West Indians Down Under". www.cricbuzz.com. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Shamar Joseph's flash sprint, from Baracara to Adelaide". www.cricbuzz.com. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Shamar Joseph's journey: From a village by the Canje river to becoming the face of West Indies' miracle at the Gabba". Hindustan Times. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  13. ^ Bailey, Scott (17 January 2024). "Joseph goes from remote villager to Windies Test hero". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  14. ^ a b Lavalette, Tristan. "Financially Stricken West Indies May Struggle To Keep Cricket Star Shamar Joseph". Forbes. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  15. ^ a b c d e f Kemp, Emma (18 January 2024). "In the backwaters of Baracara, Joseph grew up bowling lemons and limes". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  16. ^ a b c "Shamar Joseph: Using melted bottles and fruits as balls, the boy from Baracara single-handedly drives West Indies to breach Gabba". The Indian Express. 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  17. ^ "Australia vs West Indies: Shamar Joseph - The ex-security officer who wrote a Caribbean dream with a crushed toe". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  18. ^ GTIMES (24 January 2023). "Meet Shamar Joseph: from quitting job at security firm to Guyana Harpy Eagles team selection". Guyana Times. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  19. ^ "Joseph shrugs off nerves as first-ball dreams come true | cricket.com.au". www.cricket.com.au. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  20. ^ Lemon, Geoff (30 January 2024). "Shamar Joseph alone won't revive West Indies but memories will remain". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  21. ^ Khurana, Rudransh (17 January 2024). "Shamar Joseph on his West Indies debut against Australia: "Cricket is much better than being a security guard"". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  22. ^ a b "Fast bowler Shamar Joseph gets national call-up after quitting job to play cricket". News Room Guyana. 24 January 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  23. ^ "From childhood buddies to cricket stars: The Romario-Shamar story". www.cricbuzz.com. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  24. ^ "BDOS vs GUY, West Indies Championship 2022/23, 2nd Match at North Sound, February 01 - 04, 2023 - Full Scorecard". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  25. ^ "Three Harpy Eagles players debut, but no caps presented". News Room Guyana. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  26. ^ "FOUR-DAY: Joseph takes maiden five-wicket haul; Harpy Eagles set target of 294". News Room Guyana. 10 February 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  27. ^ "GUY vs WWD, West Indies Championship 2022/23, 4th Match at St George's, February 08 - 11, 2023 - Full Scorecard". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  28. ^ "CPL 2023: Joseph named temporary replacement for injured Paul". News Room Guyana. 17 September 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  29. ^ S, Gomesh (31 January 2024). "Hopes, dreams, destiny and Shamar Joseph". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  30. ^ "Mapping the meteoric rise of security guard turned pace sensation Shamar Joseph". The Business Standard. 18 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  31. ^ "BR vs GAW, Caribbean Premier League 2023, 30th Match at Providence, September 17, 2023 - Full Scorecard". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  32. ^ "Sixth time lucky! Pretorius & Co set up Amazon Warriors' maiden CPL title win". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  33. ^ "BDOS vs GUY, Super50 Cup 2023/24, 18th Match at St Augustine, October 29, 2023 - Full Scorecard". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  34. ^ Desk, Sports. "Shamar Joseph to replace injured Ronsford Beaton in Guyana Harpy Eagles squad". www.sportsmax.tv. Retrieved 4 December 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  35. ^ "Super50: Harpy Eagles add Shamar Joseph as 'travelling reserve'". News Room Guyana. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  36. ^ "JOHNSON REPLACES ANDERSON IN WEST INDIES "A" TEAM TO SOUTH AFRICA". Cricket West Indies. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  37. ^ "SA A Vs WI A Tests 2023 Squad: Full Team Lists For South Africa A V West Indies A". Wisden. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  38. ^ "Shamar Joseph lands PSL deal with Peshawar Zalmi". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  39. ^ Witney, Katya (29 January 2024). "Shamar Joseph Signs PSL Deal With Peshawar Zalmi". Wisden. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  40. ^ "Shamar Joseph joins Lucknow Super Giants as Mark Wood's replacement". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  41. ^ "Shamar Joseph, West Indies hero in miracle 2nd Test win vs Australia, gets maiden IPL stint with LSG; replaces Mark Wood". Hindustan Times. 10 February 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  42. ^ "IPL 2024 KKR vs LSG". SportsTiger. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  43. ^ "1 over, 10 balls, 22 runs: West Indies hero Shamar Joseph makes bizarre start to IPL career in KKR vs LSG match". Hindustan Times. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  44. ^ "Ruthless IPL brings high-flying Joseph back to earth". ESPNcricinfo. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  45. ^ "Uncapped Sinclair, Imlach and Joseph among five Guyanese in West Indies Test squad for Australia tour". News Room Guyana. 20 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  46. ^ "Seven uncapped players selected as West Indies name Test squad for Australia". www.icc-cricket.com. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  47. ^ "1st Test, Adelaide, January 17 - 21, 2024, West Indies tour of Australia (Usman Khawaja 30*, Cameron Green 6*, Gudakesh Motie 0/1) - Stumps, WI vs AUS, 1st Test, day 2, Adelaide Oval, January 17 - 21, 2024, live score". ESPNcricinfo. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  48. ^ "The quick from nowhere revives memories of Windies greats | cricket.com.au". www.cricket.com.au. 11 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  49. ^ "Malcolm: Shamar Joseph shook the world on debut". ESPNcricinfo. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  50. ^ "Debutant No.11 Shamar lifts Windies with rousing knock". www.cricket.com.au. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  51. ^ "Debutant Joseph leads stirring Windies day-one fightback | cricket.com.au". www.cricket.com.au. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  52. ^ "'I'll take a picture, and post it up' - Shamar Joseph on dream first-ball wicket of Smith". ESPNcricinfo. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  53. ^ "First-ball joy: Shamar Joseph starts Test cricket with Steven Smith's wicket". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  54. ^ "Shamar Joseph reveals delight at first-ball wicket of Smith". www.cricket.com.au. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  55. ^ "How many players have taken a wicket with their first ball in Tests as Shamar Joseph did?". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  56. ^ "Test matches | Bowling records | Wicket with first ball in career". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  57. ^ Mukherjee, Abhishek (17 January 2024). "Shamar Joseph, Nathan Lyon & Everyone Else: Bowlers To Take A Wicket With Their First Ball In Test Cricket | AUS Vs WI". Wisden. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  58. ^ "Shamar Joseph throws a spanner in Steve Smith's opening gambit, repeats 85-year-old feat in AUS vs WI 1st Test". Hindustan Times. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  59. ^ "Dream start as Joseph dismisses Smith, Marnus in first spell". www.cricket.com.au. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  60. ^ "Hazlewood takes career-best haul but Khawaja hurt in Australia's victory". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  61. ^ "Shamar-vellous! Joseph takes lion-hearted debut five-for". www.cricket.com.au. 18 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  62. ^ McLeod, Ben (19 January 2024). "West Indies faces defeat despite Shamar Joseph's heroics on Test debut". CNW Network. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  63. ^ "Brathwaite: Shamar Joseph 'gave a lot of confidence to the team'". ESPNcricinfo. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  64. ^ ICC (19 January 2024). "Talking points: Australia continue WTC defence as Shamar stars". www.icc-cricket.com. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  65. ^ "Windies win in Australia for first time since 1997". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  66. ^ "Shamar Joseph soars to inspire miraculous West Indies win in Australia". The Guardian. Australian Associated Press. 28 January 2024. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  67. ^ "Shamar Joseph scripts West Indies' first Test win in Australia in 27 years". www.cricbuzz.com. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  68. ^ Gardner, Ben (28 January 2024). "Heroic Shamar Joseph Seven-For Secures West Indies' First Test Victory In Australia This Century | AUS Vs WI | Cricket News Today". Wisden. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  69. ^ "Shamar Joseph: 'I wasn't even coming out to the ground'". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  70. ^ "I wasn't even coming out to the ground this morning - Shamar Joseph". Cricbuzz. 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  71. ^ "A fairytale day in the life of Shamar Joseph". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  72. ^ "Shamar Joseph soars to inspire first West Indies win in Australia since 1997". The Guardian. Australian Associated Press. 28 January 2024. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  73. ^ "Ian Bishop calls for West Indies board to 'compensate' Shamar Joseph following Gabba heroics: Don't allow burnout". India Today. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  74. ^ Kumar, K. C. Vijaya (2 February 2024). "Shamar Joseph rekindles the embers of an old sporting dynasty". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  75. ^ https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/10-cricketers-who-were-named-man-of-the-series-in-their-debut-test-series
  76. ^ ICC (1 February 2024). "West Indies reward Shamar Joseph International retainer contract". www.icc-cricket.com. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  77. ^ Desk, Sports. "Shamar Joseph among nominees for ICC Men's Player of the Month for January". www.sportsmax.tv. Retrieved 10 February 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  78. ^ ICC (13 February 2024). "ICC Men's Player of the Month for January 2024 revealed". www.icc-cricket.com. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  79. ^ "Shamar Joseph becomes first West Indian to win Men's ICC Player of the Month award". Firstpost. 13 February 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  80. ^ ICC (14 February 2024). "Shamar Joseph first West Indian to win ICC Player of the Month award". The Daily Star. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  81. ^ McLeod, Ben (14 February 2024). "Shamar Joseph makes history as first West Indian to secure ICC Player of the Month". CNW Network. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  82. ^ "Hetmyer, Shamar Joseph in West Indies squad for 2024 T20 World Cup". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  83. ^ "Shamar Joseph included in West Indies squad for T20 World Cup". Cricbuzz. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  84. ^ "Shamar Joseph is Playing his First T20I World Cup". ScoreWaves. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
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