Miracle man Shamar fights through pain to give West Indies glory

• A historic Test win over Australia was a major milestone in the nascent career of Shamar Joseph

Shamar Joseph’s participation in the Gabba Test looked all but over when a searing yorker from Mitchell Starc crashed into his toes. While his dismissal was overturned after an umpire review, the delivery was a no-ball, the youngster was in no position to continue due to the pain. Unable to walk properly, he took no further part in the game on the third evening.

However, the pacer returned on Sunday, and delivered a scintillating match-winning spell for the men in maroon. Australia had resumed at 60/2 on Day 4 and added 53 runs without losing a wicket. But then Shamar arrived and wreaked havoc in his very first over, accounting for Mitchell Marsh, who was caught by Kevin Sinclair in the slips. Off the very next ball, Travis Head fell for a golden duck. It was Australia versus Shamar from that point onwards.

Despite a magnificent fightback from Steve Smith (91*), West Indies held their own to achieve a thrilling eight-run victory. It was the first drawn Test series between the nations since 1999 and West Indies’ first Test win on Australian soil since 1997.

And Shamar was the architect of the win, bowling 12 overs on the trot despite an injury to his toe, and recording a spectacular 7/68 in the second innings.

Speaking after the game, Shamar revealed that he wasn’t even considering to turn up for the Test today before being convinced by the team doctor.

“Shout out to my teammates for their encouragement and support. The support when I was going through the pain in my toe. I wasn’t even going to come to the ground today, to be fair. But shoutout to the doctor. He called me to the ground, even if it’s just to support the guys. But the doctor did something to my toe. I don’t know what he did. But it worked.”

Shamar’s rise in the world of cricket has been phenomenal. The 24-year-old made his first-class debut only last year for Guyana and had played a handful of domestic games before arriving in Australia. However, all eyes were on him after his debut, in the first Test against Australia in Adelaide. He started with a feisty 36 at number 11, then picked a wicket off his very first ball, that of Steve Smith. He ended up with a five-wicket haul in the first innings in Adelaide. Although, Australia won the Test, Shamar’s contribution stood out.

For his 13 wickets and 57 runs in the two Tests, Shamar was named the Player of the Series.

“I just stuck to the basics. Stuck to the top of off. That worked for me in the first Test also. I wasn’t worried about being struck for a boundary, I just wanted to find my areas,” he added.

“I feel like we won the entire series by winning this Test. I cried after my five-wicket haul but I’m so happy now. I’m not even tired. I would have kept bowling.”