GROS ISLET, St Lucia, CMC – Bowling coach Roddy Estwick has earmarked speedster Alzarri Joseph as one for the future after the 19-year-old produced a couple of impressive spells to rattle India on the opening day of the third Test here yesterday.
Joseph, one of the heroes from the West Indies Under-19 World Cup triumph in Bangladesh earlier this year, finished the day with two for 38 from a 14-over shift, which impressed those who witnessed the performance.
“We’re happy with his day’s work. Obviously it’s his first Test match and he got two big wickets for us [and] his pace didn’t look too bad,” Estwick told reporters.
“As he goes along and he understands Test cricket and he goes from bowling 10 overs to bowling 20 overs in a Test match, and he gets stronger as well, [he will improve].”
He added: “We have really high hopes for him in the future. He’s a young man at 19-years of age and it’s only good for West Indies cricket that we can get some more firepower to add to Shannon’s (Gabriel) firepower as well.
Handed the new ball by captain Jason Holder, Joseph helped rocked the much heralded Indian top order.
His first Test scalp was that of skipper Virat Kohli, caught at first slip by Darren Bravo with a superb lifter and he returned in the second session to have Rohit Sharma caught behind by keeper Shane Dowrich, edging a big out-swinger.
Estwick said the transition from youth cricket to the Test level was a huge leap for Joseph but pointed out the Antiguan had already shown plenty promise.
“Obviously you had to integrate him into the side and obviously it takes time. It’s a big step coming in from Under-19 cricket to Test cricket,” Estwick explained.
“The selectors felt he was ready and we felt that with this pitch with a little more bounce and pace in it, that it was a good time to release him. Obviously he did well, it’s only his first day in Test cricket but I’m sure he can be happy with it and he can build on that.”
Estwick praised the way the entire Windies attack went about their shifts but said it would take time for them to become proficient at their craft.
“We’ve worked hard on trying to get the boys to execute our plans. We know it’s Test cricket. [They] know they’ve got to be disciplined. They’re playing against India which right now is probably one of the stronger batting sides in the world … so we’re working very hard,” he said.
“But it all takes time. It’s young, young attack. We’ve got Miguel Cummins in his second Test match, Alzarri now playing first first, Shannon only in his 17th and the captain in his 16th, and Roston Chase in his third Test match.
“It take time but we’re trying to build blocks and work and get there.”
