After
returning home to rest, the West Indies will swiftly head to the PSL.
Shamar
Joseph's toe injury sustained during the Gabba Test has prevented him from
playing for the Dubai Capitals in the ILT20.
Joseph
battled discomfort on the fourth day to produce one of the greatest spells in
Test history, claiming 7 for 68 to lead West Indies to a historic eight-run
victory - their first in Australia since 1997, despite scans showing no
fracture after he was struck on the boot by a Mitchell Starc yorker. He had not
anticipated playing before the team physio gave him a dose of painkillers at
the beginning of the day.
After
coming into the attack, Joseph bowled without altering his style, tearing apart
Australia's batting order and reaching a late spell of 150 kph. "I will
not stop bowling until the final wicket is taken," he declared to his
captain, Kraigg Brathwaite.
After signing with the
Capitals before the Australia tour, he was expected to go straight to the
ILT20. However, he will now return home to recuperate before leaving for the
PSL, where he was signed as a replacement player by Peshawar Zalmi overnight.
After his incredible career debut in which he took two five-wicket hauls and removed Steven Smith with his first ball, Joseph is sure to receive offers from T20 leagues all over the world.
But
following his heroics with Gabba, Joseph pledged to be available for duty in
the West Indies at all times.
"I
will always be here to play Test cricket for the West Indies," he stated.
"I'm not hesitant to say this in public. I will always be available to
play for the West Indies, regardless of how much money is offered to me. There
may be occasions when T20 and Test cricket are played."
After
the Test, Joseph had a hectic 24 hours as he dealt with numerous requests from
the media and was praised in the Caribbean, where the cricket result dominated
newspaper front pages. Several regional leaders also shared their congratulations
and gratitude on social media.
Selectors
in the West Indies will now have to prioritize managing Joseph and weigh the
offers he receives from abroad. Ian Bishop said during the Brisbane spell that
he hoped funding could be secured to keep Joseph safe.
"Important
for the board, Guyana govt & cooperate bodies to find a way to allocate
funds to compensate Shamar Joseph & 1 or 2 other fast bowlers to keep them
in the Caribbean & control how much cricket they play," Bishop wrote
in a post on X. Their speed is crucial. Prevent burnout."
Joseph
may still need to be considered for the June T20 World Cup, which will be held in the
Caribbean and West Indies, despite never being scheduled to play in the
white-ball portion of the Australia tour. His next chance to play Test cricket
will be during the West Indies' July tour of England, which will include three
Test matches.
On Friday, the ODI series against Australia gets underway in Melbourne. Shai Hope will captain the West Indies, while Daren Sammy will serve as coach. There will be three Twenty20 Internationals, with Rovman Powell serving as captain.
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