By Akeem Greene
Budding fast-bowling talent Shamar Joseph will be considered for the West Indies’ selection for the World T20, which the Caribbean co-hosts alongside the United States of America from June 1-29.
Several former players and pundits have called for Joseph’s selection to the squad despite his limited experience in the shortest format.
Joseph has only played two List A and two Twenty20 matches and is yet to feature for Lucknow Super Giants in the ongoing Indian Premier League.
Joseph burst onto the scene in his debut series in Australia earlier this year, picking five wickets in his maiden Test in Adelaide.
He followed that up with a magical display in Brisbane where, bowling with a broken toe, the pacer claimed 7-68 to help West Indies record their first Test win in Australia in 27 years.
Speaking Monday at a press conference organised by Cricket West Indies in Barbados, Sammy reiterated that with just one to two spots open, Joseph would be a candidate.
The Head Coach revealed concerns over the team’s Powerplay bowling- averaging 10 runs per over- and that is where the attention is for the two looming spots.
“He is quality; he is one of the brightest prospects we had in a while from a fast-bowling perspective…he is in contention, but it will be a collective decision in the end on which one of those fast-bowlers will make it to the World Cup team, so I do hope, I will get to see enough which will allow me a fair assessment of the skillset of Mr. Joseph in the T20 format,” the Head Coach related when questioned on the likelihood of Joseph’s selection.
According to the former player, who captained West Indies to two World T20 titles, Joseph brings the element of pace to the table.
Consistent line and length has worked for Joseph in red ball cricket, and according to Sammy: “It’s something for 24 balls in different game stages we are looking for.”
Noting that T20 and Test bring two different dimensions, Sammy further explained, “I am not one who looks at the hype; hype without substance is still overrated…hopefully he gets to play T20 cricket, and we see what he can do under pressure, every single ball because that is what it is, and we select from there.”
The cut-off date for submitting teams for the World T20, as set by the International Cricket Council (ICC), is May 1. However, every team has the option of making one change to their initial squad until May 25.
West Indies have an A-team tour to Nepal from April 27-May 5, but it is unclear whether players who are in the IPL but not actively engaged would be in the squad.
The league stage of the IPL ends on May 19, while the final is on May 24.
More so, West Indies will host South Africa in Jamaica for three Twenety20 Internationals on the heels of the World T20 as part of further preparation to become the first host territory to win the World T20.
West Indies are in Group C alongside New Zealand, Afghanistan, Uganda and Papa New Guinea.
The two-time champions play two group matches in Guyana (v Papa New Guinea and Uganda), one in Trinidad and Tobago (v New Zealand), and one in St. Lucia (v Afghanistan).
