Fast bowler Shamar Joseph gets national call-up after quitting job to play cricket

By Akeem Greene

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Not much is known of fast bowler Shamar Joseph, who is one of four uncapped players selected by the Guyana Harpy Eagles for the first two rounds of the Regional Four-Day Championship, starting February 1.

The 23-year-old from Tucber Park, New Amsterdam, has never represented Guyana at any level, but is now on the cusp of playing First-Class cricket.

The young father made the courageous sacrifice of quitting his job with a security firm, and for close to a year now his sole focus has been on pursuing his ultimate goal, that is playing for Guyana and being able to take care of his family in the future.

On Friday last, he was named among the 13 players set to travel to Antigua on Sunday, and there is all likelihood he could make his debut over the course of the two rounds.

“I quit my job because this is what I want and I always could have made it because I have the confidence I could have made it,” he related to News Room Sport.

Joseph, who has a one-year-old son, further revealed: “The mother of my child is the one who is there for me, supporting me right through. She always encourages me that if this is what I want, she would be there to brace me whenever I am down and she is there for me, always.”

Not surprisingly, Joseph’s relatives are overjoyed he is closer to achieving his dream of playing for Guyana at the regional level, an indication that the decision to quit his job was the right one.

The young lad revealed he has received lots of encouragement about his obvious ability, and it was close friend and cricketer Damion Vantull who encouraged him to pay a keen interest in developing this talent.

With long-term aspirations of playing for the West Indies, Joseph is hopeful he can impress for Guyana when given the opportunity.

After all, he is keen on taking care of his family, who has stood staunchly by his side in supporting his dream.