Shamar Joseph’s explosive entry into Test Cricket

If we forgot what Cricket means to the West Indies, the reaction across the region would have settled that. To see Carl Hooper and Brian Lara crying in the commentary box at the Gabba in Brisbane told a story and reminded us of the glory days. Certainly, it reminded me as a school boy getting up at midnight to listen, Not Look At, the West Indian team playing in Australia. As an English student listening to the commentaries, their powerful language, allowed me to see in my mind’s eye what was happening on the field. These are different times with West Indian cricket, and I allow myself the liberty of occasionally looking at the score on the BBC Sports website. When I got up on Sunday (or was it Monday morning), with Australia having been given 216 runs to win, I felt that there was no need checking the score. But I turned to Facebook and someone praising Dr Byam for the wonderful work he had done, alerted me that something had happened. And what a memorable time. The West Indies had won the test, their first win in Australia since 1997.

And then I read about the heroics of the young, inexperienced Shamar Joseph, who was not expected to play on that day because of a busted toe. In fact, he wasn’t even expected to be on the ground. He was in his bed at 11 a.m when he got a call from the team physiotherapist, Vincentian Dr Byam who he said told him to come to the ground, “I have a reason.” This surprised the other players, except for Captain Brathwaite who might have had a hint of that. And then it happened, Joseph from the small maroon village of Baracara in Guyana, a village that could only be reached by boat, made an explosive return, bowling 10 consecutive overs before tea, and then two after which helped to wreck the powerful Australian batting team, that fell short of their target by 8 runs. He took 7 wickets in 71 balls, bowling with a toe that was still sore, even though Dr Byam’s treatment and whatever he told Shamar, gave him the confidence that he could do it, that is I suppose, help his team to victory. Shamar said of Dr Byam, “… he did something to my toe. I don’t know what he did but it worked.”

As I write I have no information about his reception back in Baracara, although he might not have reached there as yet. A year ago, when he had moved into Georgetown and played for the Guyana national team, his village was brought alive. I could imagine his reception when he gets back to meet his two children and fiancé and rest of his family. It would be the day when other youngsters there will begin to dream of being on the West Indian team. This is a village, we are told, with a population of about 350 that had no internet or telephones until 2018.

The news spread far and wide, carried not only by sports channels but by almost every conceivable media. The West Indian win will have heartened cricket enthusiasts, but the almost fairy tale story of the rise of a new West Indian sensation stirred the hearts of many. It was as Joseph will say “Amazing”! With his first ball in Test cricket, he got the prized wicket of Steve Smith, perhaps Australia’s top batsman, and followed with Marnus Labuschagne, among Australia’s top five batsman. Is this a catalyst for change, signalling the dawn of a new day in West Indies cricket? We have had previous moments of hope, only to fall by the wayside. And of course, Shamar Joseph alone cannot revive West Indian cricket! Joseph has pledged his commitment to Test cricket- “This is my dream, to play cricket for the West Indies.” But the challenges are many and they have begun. With the financial offers coming from the IPL and other cricketing franchises Joseph needs to be protected. Ian Bishop warns of the possibility of burn out if he gets too deeply into franchise cricket. He has made a plea for the West Indies Cricket Board, the Guyana government, and other entities to look after Joseph and a few others so that they feel financially secure. Curtly Ambrose wants to see him play a lot of red ball cricket to allow him to learn his craft before becoming too involved in the T/20 franchises. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of Test cricket involving the West Indies. We next have a three-match series against England in July. Before then there is a lot of franchise cricket and offers have already been sent to the young man. He needs to be handled properly. What that last test has shown us is that despite the huge financial offers from the T/20 franchises, Test Cricket hopefully will remain the drawing card for people like Shamar Joseph.

Shamar’s explosive entry into Test Cricket is something of which dreams are made. Let us hope the WICB reaches out to him and provides him with valuable guidance. In the end whatever the outcome it is his decision that should prevail. His magic moments on the field have awakened a people that had once seen their players dominate the Cricketing world. What happens after is not left to Shamar. But he has shown what is possible! It is for us to move on and build on what happened DOWN UNDER.

•  Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian