Who is Shamar Joseph? All you need to know about him ahead of his Test Debut vs Australia in Adelaide

West Indies are set to play Australia in a short tw0-match Test series starting on Wednesday. The first game will be played in Adelaide with the second a pink ball affair set to be played in Brisbane.

The Caribbean side has historically produced some of the best fast bowlers. The four horsemen of Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, Malcolm Marshall, and Joel Garner come to mind. Years later it was Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose who took over the fast bowling baton.

Kemar Roach for years’ has cried out for a fast bowling partner and it seems his prayers are set to be answered. Shamar Joseph is the latest test entrant for West Indies as he is confirmed to debut on Wednesday.

Former bodyguard and father of two set for Test debut at age 24 –

Cricket might have produced a lot of stories and one can add Shamar Joseph to the list. At 24 years old the right-arm fast bowler is already a father of two children. According to reports he has a son who is aged just two and loves the sport already. 

It has been a fast rise for Shamar Joseph after his First-class debut in 2023 for Guyana. In just his second game, Joseph picked five wickets versus Windward Island. This soon got him a call-up to CPL where he impressed with the ball.

Shamar Joseph can bowl at amazing speeds and can clock upwards of 140 KPH. He can hit the pitch hard beat the batter for pace and extract good bounce. 

The biggest example of his talent was showcased during the West Indies tour of South Africa A in December last year. The third and final Unofficial Test in Bloemfontein saw Joseph pick 8 wickets in the game. 

The right-arm-pacer picked three wickets in the first innings which included the wicket of Neil Brand. In the second dig, Joseph picked all five wickets as South Africa A declared their innings at 272/5. West Indies A might have lost the game but they found a new star in Shamar Joseph. 

As a kid from a large family with nine children in total, Shamar Joseph had to earn for his family. The youngster became a bodyguard until he found his true calling with the red cherry in hand.    

Australia XI –

Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(WK), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (C), Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood.

West Indies XI –

Kraigg Brathwaite (C), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Justin Greaves, Joshua Da Silva (WK), Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Alzarri Joseph, and Kemar Roach