ADELAIDE, Australia, CMC – New West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph said he predicted he would take a wicket with his first ball in Tests. Still, he could not believe his good fortune that it was his favorite Australian batsman.
The 24-year-old from the remote village of Baracara in Guyana, which is only accessible by boat, captured the prized scalp of former Australia captain Steve Smith to etch his name in the history books when he became only to second player from the Caribbean to a wicket with his first ball in Tests.
He added the scalp of Marnus Labuschagne a few overs later for good measure to end the day with two for 18 from his six overs, but the hosts and world champions held the edge, reaching 59 for two in reply to the West Indies first innings total of 188.
For Joseph, it was a far cry from his previous job as a security guard, but the wicket of Smith made the occasion of his Test debut extra special, even though he was forced to abort his initial approach due to nerves.
“I didn’t miss my run-up,” he told reporters after the day’s play ended. “It was just nervousness bowling to one of the best batsmen in the Australian team that I consider.
“I love Steve Smith, how he plays and goes about his cricket. And getting Steve Smith, I’ll remember this for the rest of my life. I will take a picture, take it home, and post it in my house.”
Joseph composed himself and rendered a failure, the experiment of Smith opening the batting as a replacement for the retired David Warner when he caught him low at the third slip by another newcomer in the Caribbean side, Justin Greaves.
“I’ve watched a few Test matches of Steve Smith, and I think that area is a weakness for him,” Joseph said. “I just said, ‘I’ll hit the top of off (stump)’ because he’s a batsman that treads across a lot.
“He tries to take you off your line, so I stuck to the basics and tried to hit the top of off with some late movement away and got the edge. I was tense; bowling to Steve Smith isn’t easy.”
He added: “I had a few conversations with the boys in the dressing room, and I told them I would get a wicket with my first ball.
“But I didn’t know it was going to be Steve Smith. That went well for me. I went with a positive mindset. You’re coming up against the best team in Test cricket, so I just came with a positive mindset and did what I do best.”
It capped a memorable entry into the most extended format of the sport for Joseph after he received his Baggy Maroon cap from former West Indies fast bowler, now TV commentator Ian Bishop, before the start of play.
He made a first-class best 36 and shared a last wicket stand of 55 with ageless fellow pacer Kemar Roach, who helped West Indies reach 188 in the first innings. Still, he had to endure a blow to the head from a frightening Mitchell Starc bouncer before launching a six off one of the Australian heroes, Josh Hazlewood.
“That was amazing for me,” he said. “Hitting Josh for a six is good for me. I think he’s consistent. He’s the most consistent bowler I have ever faced, so hitting him for a six motivated me greatly. I could hit any bowler now.”
If that six did not wake up family and friends in Baracara, then knocking over Smith must have done the trick.
“I don’t have to ask about that,” said Joseph, who only purchased his first protective arm guard last weekend while shopping in Adelaide for a child-sized cricket bat for his eldest son.
“I don’t think anybody would be sleeping at all. They will all continue watching the game,” he said. “The support from there is lovely, unique for me. I could feel it from here.
“They’re the sort of people supporting cricket, and I’m the only person to come out from playing for the West Indies.
“I come from Baracara and want to do so much for Baracara. It might not happen when I want it to, but I know in the future, I’ll go up there and do a lot for them because they always support me. And those words of encouragement are amazing for me.”
and then 