West Indies debutant Shamar Joseph was thrown the Kookaburra in the ninth over of Australia’s first innings at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday afternoon, but he only needed one delivery to announce himself to the cricket world.
The right-armed quick lured Australian opener Steve Smith into fending at a length delivery outside off stump, with the thick outside edge carrying through to Justin Greaves at third slip.
And then he was off.
The elated Joseph pumped his fists and sprinted towards the Eastern Stand, turning back at his teammates and roaring with delight.
The Guyana product had become the 23rd men’s cricketer to take a Test wicket with their first delivery and just the second West Indies player alongside Tyrell Johnson, who achieved the rare feat against England in 1939.
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Speaking to reporters at stumps, Joseph confessed nerves had taken over in the moments leading up to Smith’s dismissal, with the debutant abandoning a run-up on his first attempt.
“I didn’t miss my run-up, it was just nervousness,” Joseph explained.
“I just wanted to get the first ball right, top of off stump, and getting the Smith wicket is just amazing for me.
“I had a few conversations with the boys in the dressing room and told them I’d get a wicket first ball, but I didn’t know it was Steve Smith.
“I think that area is a weakness for him … he walks across a lot and tries to take you off your line, so I stuck to the basics, hit top of off with a little movement away, and got the edge.
“Getting Steve Smith is the biggest dream.
“I don’t think I have any better wicket. He is one of my favourite players, I really love Steve Smith the way he plays and goes about his cricket.
“Getting him, I’ll remember it for the rest of my life. I’d love to get a picture and stick it in my house.”
Joseph, who hails from the remote village of Baracara, grew up idolising West Indies icons Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh, and their influence was apparent a few overs later when he knocked over Marnus Labuschagne with a trademark bouncer.
The Queenslander attempted to hook the bumper but instead top-edged the ball towards Gudakesh Motie at deep fine leg, gone for 10.
Joseph’s celebration was more subdued on this occasion, but the smile on the young father’s face was intoxicating — on the first day of his Test career, his inspired bowling performance had single-handedly given the West Indies a glimmer of hope of winning back the Frank Worrell Trophy.
The 24-year-old, who made his professional debut less than 12 months ago, finished the day with figures of 2-18 from six overs, leaving the Australians in a spot of bother at 2-59 at stumps.
Earlier on Wednesday morning, Joseph received his maiden cap from legendary bowler Ian Bishop, becoming the 337th men’s cricketer to represent the West Indies in Tests.
The tourists were in dire straits when he walked out to bat at No. 11 in the afternoon session, joining veteran bowler Kemar Roach in the middle at 9-133.
However, Joseph refused to stick to the script, combining with Roach for a 55-run partnership for the tenth wicket to frustrate the Australians and steer the West Indies towards a respectable team total of 188.
The left-handed batter clobbered four boundaries throughout his brief counterattack, at one stage slapping Australian paceman Josh Hazlewood over deep square leg for six.
“That was amazing for me,” Joseph continued.
“He is the most consistent bowler I have faced in my career, so hitting him for six motivated me a lot.’’
Joseph eventually fell victim to spinner Nathan Lyon, trapped on the pads after the tea break for 36 from 41 balls, the highest score by a West Indies No. 11 on Test debut.
Highest individual score by a No. 11 on Test debut
98 — Ashton Agar (AUS) vs ENG, 2013
45* — Warwick Armstrong (AUS) vs ENG, 1902
40 — Chamila Gamage (SL) vs BAN, 2002
39* — Dane Paterson (RSA) vs ENG, 2020
36 — Norman Cowans (ENG) vs AUS, 1982
36 — Shamar Joseph (WI) vs AUS, 2024
Joseph, one of seven uncapped players in the West Indies squad, has just five first-class matches under his belt, having recently worked as a security guard to help care for his young family.
He grew up in a region of Guyana that can only be accessed by boat, a 225km journey up the Canje River known to take two days due to vegetation strangling the waterways.
Joseph didn’t have access to a telephone network or internet coverage growing up but fell in love with cricket at an early age — as a child, he occasionally used fruits, such as guavas and lemons, for impromptu games with friends and family.
When he quit his job at the security firm two years ago, Joseph had only ever bowled with a tape ball. Less than 24 months later, he’s representing his country on the other side of the planet and knocking over arguably the best Test cricketer since Sir Donald Bradman.
“It wasn’t an easy decision to make, having a kid at home to look after,” Joseph said of his dream to pursue a cricket career.
“It wasn’t easy, but my fiance said, ‘If this is what you want to do, go and do it, do what you love, I’m here to support.’
“That decision wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t hard at the same time, because I want to do what I love.”
West Indies cricket may never reach the lofty height it achieved in the 1970s, but Joseph’s emergence proves the Caribbean islands can still produce talented players that can rival the world’s best.
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