BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – West Indies’ latest fast bowling recruit, Shamar Joseph, said he was delighted with his rapid rise to the international ranks but was not entirely surprised by his selection.
The 24-year-old was chosen earlier this month in a 15-man squad to tour Australia next month after playing only five first-class matches.
“It didn’t come to me as a surprise, but at the same time, I was emotional and happy because playing for West Indies was my dream. It was always my dream, so when I received the message, I was thrilled,” the Guyanese, who only made his first-class debut last February, told Starcom Network’s Mason and Guest cricket show.
“When I was in Trinidad [for the Super50], Mr Desmond Haynes (chief selector) talked to me, and he said, ‘All you have to do is just do well.’
“So that encouraged me to go and do what I had to do, picking up 12 wickets in two matches [for West Indies-A in South Africa].
“Consistency was something I worked on over there, so it (selection) didn’t come to me as a surprise, but at the same time, I was thrilled knowing I had started my career earlier this year [with] first-class cricket for Guyana, then into the CPL, into Super50, into West Indies-A team and now into the senior squad.
“So after putting in all this work, it [came] out good for me.”
Joseph and off-spinner Kevin Sinclair topped the West Indies bowling charts on the South Africa-A tour, the right-arm averaging 21 runs apiece.
He was imposing in the second four-day “Test” at Bloemfontein, where he finished with an eight-wicket haul, including taking all five wickets to fall in the hosts’ second innings.
Facing what is expected to be a difficult trip Down Under, Joseph said he planned to emphasize the same discipline that had brought him success in South Africa.
“It all depends on discipline. I want to maintain discipline, which is important,” he explained.
“The basics in cricket is just to stick to the areas [and] things will happen. I’m not saying that all the balls will hit one spot, but the more consistent you [are], the more things will happen for you.
“That’s all I did in South Africa. I just stuck to the basics, and things happened for me.
“And what I heard based on the wickets [in Australia], it’s just a bit different with bounce and pace, so I think I would do very well over there. I have that confidence I will go there and do good.”
He added: “I am excited. It’s fascinating. Not only that, but after putting in a lot of work, I have been looking forward to opportunities like these, and I’m excited. I’m thrilled.
“I’ll be going to Australia, where you know fast bowling is crucial, so I’m very excited.” West Indies play two Tests from January 17-29
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