On Sunday morning (January 28), Shamar Joseph had practically conceded defeat. The Yorker, who had injured Michel Stark’s toe on the third day, had prematurely ended his batting, casting doubts over his availability for the remaining day-night Test in Brisbane as he limped off during the final session without bowling. Joseph said he wouldn’t be able to reach Gabba by the fourth morning due to his injury.
Joseph’s day took an amazing turn in the fourth inning after he scored a career-best 7-68 to help the West Indies defeat the hosts, Australia, by eight runs. He can thank the team doctor for that.
After the West Indies defeated Australia for the first time in 27 years, Joseph said to official broadcasters, “To be honest, I wasn’t even going to the ground this morning.” I was yelling at the physician. He provided me, if nothing else, with a reason to go support the guys outside.
Almost 27 years since a Test victory in Australia! What a finish!👏🏿#AUSvWI #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/5tVMIjLt1l
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) January 28, 2024
However, when I emerged, he had done something to my big toe. Whatever he did—I’m not sure something happened. In order to help my team win the game, I had to go out there and bowl. “The home team needed 156 runs at the beginning of the day, but Joseph quickly oversaw Australia’s first innings, taking seven of the eight wickets that fell before dinner, leaving them at 23 for 4. Australia lost despite Steve Smith’s undefeated 91.
“It was only constructive. And that’s it.” Just go there and do that, my teammates told me—take wickets,” he remarked. “It was simply our optimism. I wanted to accomplish it for my team; therefore, I’m not fatigued. I promised my captain that I would bowl until the very last player was out. I don’t care how my toe looks; I’m good. I am glad that he is now proud of me because I did it for him.”
The victory in Gabba was the first for the West Indies against Australia since 1968 and their first Test victory since 2003.The tearful 24-year-old acknowledged his colleagues’ help.
“I think the series is ours. Though it’s a 1-1 series, I think we won,” Joseph remarked. “With my teammates, I have a great time.”
They’re very encouraging, and I’m glad I levelled the series 1-1 and made them proud.
“I started crying right now. I had already started sobbing over my five-wicket total. It’s simply joy. It’s simply an emotion I can express right now. Just glad the test was won.”
Joseph, who scored 50 runs in his maiden game in Adelaide last week, is going for the series. After just one series, he already has 13 Test wickets.