Australian cricket got its first glimpse of West Indies quick Shamar Joseph on Thursday, and the 24-year-old didn’t disappoint.
Joseph, one of seven uncapped players in the West Indies Test squad for the upcoming Frank Worrell Trophy, claimed 2-28 during a blistering spell on day two of the warm-up match against the Cricket Australia XI at Karen Rolton Oval.
The Kookaburra was sailing through at chest height as the right-armer peppered Australia’s top-order in a bumper barrage, with one delivery flying over the wicketkeeper’s head for four byes.
Joseph, comfortably the fastest bowler of the day, produced an absolute peach to knock over West Australian young gun Teague Wyllie for 13, nipping a length delivery through the gate and into off stump.
Earlier, Joseph removed opener Jayden Goodwin in his second over with a full ball that was nicked behind to gloveman Joshua Da Silva for 18.
The CA XI was ultimately bowled out for 174, giving the tourists a 77-run lead in the first innings.
Joseph, who represents Guyana, only made his first-class debut last year, taking 21 wickets at 21.80 in five matches. He claimed 12 scalps during the recent West Indies A tour of South Africa, including a five-wicket haul in Bloemfontein.
The paceman, who recently signed for the Dubai Capitals in the International League T20, also featured in the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad that won last year’s Caribbean Premier League, albeit only playing two matches and failing to take a wicket.
Joseph’s raw pace makes him an exciting prospect for West Indies cricket, but it remains to be seen whether he cracks into the starting XI for next week’s Test series opener against Australia at Adelaide Oval.
“I caught a sight of him in the nets and he has hustle, bustle and really comes at you,” former West Indies bowler Ian Bishop told ESPNcricinfo.
“There’s a lot of high hopes for him because of his attitude and because of his physical capabilities.”
Joseph, who recently worked as a security guard to help care for his young family, confessed he wasn’t surprised to earn selection for the Test tour of Australia.
“I was emotional and happy because playing for West Indies was my dream,” he told News Room Guyana last month.
“It was always my dream so when I received the message I was very, very happy.
“I think that I would do very well over there (in Australia). I have confidence I will go there and do good.
“I am excited. It’s really exciting. Not only that, but after putting in a lot of work, I have been looking forward to opportunities like these.
“I’m really happy. I’ll be going to Australia where you know fast bowling is very important, so I’m very excited.”
The first Test between Australia and the West Indies gets underway on January 16.
West Indies Test Squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Alzarri Joseph (vc), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Justin Greaves, Joshua DaSilva, Akeem Jordan, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach, Kevin Sinclair, Tevin Imlach, Shamar Joseph, Zachary McCaskie (Foxsports)
