By Michaelangelo Jacobus
If you’re Guyanese and you love cricket, chances are four years ago you would not know who Shamar Joseph was, but now, he’s all everyone, seasonal and diehard fans alike are talking about. His rise through the levels of cricket has been nothing short of meteoric, as he only made his first class debut last year for the Guyana Harpy Eagles, was called up to the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad during CPL after being a net bowler and now, selected to represent West Indies at the international test cricket level.
He played five matches taking 21 wickets at an average of 21.80 before claiming 12 scalps during the recent West Indies A tour of South Africa. Among those 12 scalps, Joseph snared a five-wicket haul in Bloemfontein in the last innings of the four-day match.
On Tuesday night, the entire population of Joseph’s home village, Baracara in the Canje River, was likely tuned to their television sets to see their hero make his test cricket debut against the World Test Championship holders Australia. After the hosts won the toss and inserted the West Indies to bat, they did not have long to wait to see Joseph stride on to the pitch albeit with bat in hand. The West Indies with the exception of youngster Kirk McKenzie (50) collapsed spectacularly in the face of impressive seam bowling from Australian captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
Joseph joined Kemar Roach with the score at 133/9 in the 49th over and together they frustrated the Aussies, with Joseph going on to make the highest score by a West Indian no. 11 on debut. His 36 was the counterpunch and included a six off Hazlewood and fours off Mitchell Starc despite being pinged on the grill from a Starc bouncer. By the time Joseph was trapped lbw to Nathan Lyon, he had already made his supporters back home proud.
That pride would swell to bursting point when Joseph with his first delivery in test cricket, accounted for the great Steve Smith. Joseph’s energetic celebration showed just how much it meant to the young man to be at that level. As if that was not enough, Joseph added to his wickets column with a well-directed bouncer which had Marnus Labuschagne holing out to Gudakesh Motie. By stumps, the Australians were on 59/2, in a far better position than the visitors but the limelight was firmly fixed on Joseph.
Speaking to the media after the day’s play was called, Joseph was quizzed about his decision to give up a steady job as a security guard just over a year ago to pursue his dream of becoming a professional cricketer despite never having played at the youth level.
The 24-year-old admitted; “It wasn’t an easy decision to make, having a kid and a girl to look after. It wasn’t the easiest of decisions, my fiancee was there too, she said if that’s what you want to do, just go ahead and do it.
Do what you love, I’m here to support, support doesn’t come alone with finances but with me just being there for you. That decision wasn’t easy but it wasn’t hard at the same time”.
The outspoken Joseph, when questioned on whether or not his performance on day one of the test justifies him being at the test level, replied; “I worked to get here. It’s not that easy, I worked to get here so I think that I deserve the chance to be playing test cricket. It’s amazing for me to go out there and get runs and wickets on debut, I’m looking to continue that trend in this test series”.
Speaking fondly about the support and love that emanates from his home, Joseph revealed; “I come from Baracara and I want to do so much for Baracara.It might not happen when I want it to, but in the future I know I will go up there and do a lot for them. They always support me, people support a lot and encourage you to keep going, do what you love. Those words of encouragement do a lot for me and my career”.
In an invited comment to Stabroek Sports, Shamar’s father, Eustace Joseph spoke with pride of his son’s exploits. “He has made us so very proud, the entire community is cheering for him and it means the world to us to see him on the biggest stage”.
To put things into context, Baracara is located 225 km up the Canje and was founded as a maroon community and currently has a population of about 300-350 residents. Logging and farming are the main drivers of the community’s economy. The odds of making it professionally as a cricketer with no formal coaching at the youth level are slim, but Joseph is a powerful dreamer and self believer, his belief coupled with the unyielding support from his family and community has led to him realizing his dreams. From Baracara to the world, Shamara Joseph’s name is now etched into the annals of West Indian cricketing history.
