Little did 24-year-old Shamar Joseph know a couple of years ago, while he was working in a security firm, that he would go on to get rid of Steve Smith in the first ball of his Test career and finish his first-ever innings with a five-wicket haul. Having made his first-class debut less than a year ago in February 2023, the fiery pacer made the most out of his first Test appearance, that too facing the World Test champions Australia in their own fort.
The Shamar Joseph dream debut: From security to playing at Adelaide
Speaking about his dream debut, an overjoyed Joseph revealed that he had told his teammates that he would go on to get a wicket off his first delivery and proved it by doing so and getting rid of ‘Australia’s best’ Steve Smith. Elaborating on his journey to playing at the Adelaide Oval, the 24-year-old said that he made his debut in February with Guyana and picked up 9 wickets including a five-wicket haul. He then went on to play in the CPL, Super50, West Indies A team and found himself a spot in the Test side after taking 12 wickets in WI A tour to South Africa.
The talented pacer also revealed how former Australia pacer Shaun Tait was helping him behind the screens and spoke about how it impacted his skills.
The 24-year-old had a dream start to his Test career after getting rid of Australia’s new opener Steve Smith right in his first delivery. And that was the beginning of the five-star assault that Joseph unleashed on the hosts. Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green were the next two victims.
Riding high on confidence, Shamar completed the cleanup of the lower order batsmen, getting rid of Starc and Lyon before Kemar Roach uprooted the stumps to send Australia packing.
