Shamar Joseph and the West Indies have done the unthinkable. A side that was labeled as ‘pathetic and hopeless‘ has toppled the mighty Australian side at their fortress, the Gabba. With players batting injuries and unknown players scripting history, the historic win is reminiscent of Rishabh Pant and India’s heroic victory at the Gabba three years ago.
Gabba Magic feat. Shamar Joseph and Rishabh Pant
Playing without the likes of Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja, it was 23-year-old Rishabh Pant who stood up. He scored an unbeaten 89 to chase a virtually impossible target of 329.
Similarly, playing in just his second match and that too with a bloodied toe, Shamar Joseph came steaming in on the fourth day of the AUS vs WI 2nd Test and claimed seven of the last eight wickets. A player who comes from a village that had no internet until 2018.
A person who was a security guard until a year ago produced one of the best spells in West Indies cricket history to help his side win.
Injuries and omissions
The West Indies had fielded players with little to no experience. Seven West Indies players have played 10 or fewer Test matches (Kavem Hodge, Justin Greaves, Shamar Joseph, Kevin Sinclair, Kirk Mackenzie, Alick Athanaze, and Tagenarine Chanderpaul).
Similarly, India fielded six players who played five or fewer Test matches, with Washington Sundar and T Natarajan making their debuts. India was missing seven of their main players, while several West Indians had decided not to feature in the AUS vs WI Test series.
