CRICKET-Sammy: Shamar Joseph’s loss is a big blow to the Windies

AHMEDABAD, India, CMC – West Indies head coach, Daren Sammy, has admitted that losing fast bowler Shamar Joseph to injury ahead of their tour to India is a significant setback for the regional team.

The 26-year-old pacer was on Friday ruled out of the two-Test series on the Asian subcontinent due to an undisclosed injury. He has been replaced by lanky Barbadian Johann Layne, who is yet to make his debut for the West Indies.

Joseph starred for the West Indies in the three-match Test series against Australia at home in June, where he was the leading wicket taker for both sides with 22 wickets at an average of 14.95.

In 11 Test matches so far, he has snared 51 wickets, including four five-wicket hauls at an average of 21.66.

The West Indies have not won a Test series in India in over four decades, and Sammy said it would be even harder to do so without Joseph, one of their leading bowlers.

“Shamar is a big blow. Watching him play in the CPL final and watching him bowl 145km, I was really hoping that he would be here, so again it’s a big blow for us, and just what he’s done in Test cricket, how he bowled against Australia, he was our leading wicket taker. He was the go-to man for captain Roston Chase,” Sammy said.

“But yes, that’s something that we can’t control.” However, Sammy said the 23-year-old Layne was an exciting prospect who would be eager to show his worth.

The head coach said the Windies’ bowling unit had been world-class for a long time, and they needed to continue those performances in India.

“Johann Layne is a young fast bowler, tall, had a good first-class season, and is very talented. The work that we saw him put in during the camp in Barbados before the Australia series, and during the Australia series, [Ravi] Rampaul has been working very closely with him.

“He is not a Shamar Joseph, but he has an opportunity to create his own legacy when he gets an opportunity,” Sammy said.

“Our bowling lineup over the last series took 60 wickets in three Test matches, and you don’t win Test matches if you can’t take 20 wickets.”