Shamar Joseph will miss his ILT20 stint with Dubai Capitals due to a toe injury sustained during the Gabba Test.
Despite scans revealing no fracture from a Mitchell Starc yorker, Joseph battled through pain on the fourth day, delivering a remarkable performance with figures of 7 for 68. This outstanding spell played a key role in West Indies securing a historic eight-run victory, their first in Australia since 1997. Initially, Joseph had not anticipated playing but, dosed up on painkillers by the team physio, he bowled unchanged, consistently touching 150kph. Even during his late spell, he declared to his captain Kraigg Brathwaite, “I’m not putting down this ball until the last wicket falls.”
Originally set to join the ILT20 after signing with Capitals before the Australia tour, Joseph will now return home for recovery before heading to the PSL. Despite his incredible start to his career, marked by dismissing Steven Smith with his first delivery and claiming two five-wicket hauls, Joseph remains committed to always being available for West Indies duty. His outstanding performance at the Gabba is likely to attract numerous offers from T20 leagues worldwide.
“I will always be here to play Test cricket for the West Indies,” he said. “I am not afraid to say this live. There will be times when T20 might come around and Test cricket will be there … but I will always be available to play for the West Indies no matter how much money comes towards me.”
The 24 hours following the Test proved to be hectic for Joseph as he fielded numerous media requests. Back in the Caribbean, newspapers featured the cricket result prominently on their front pages, and leaders from the region shared praise and congratulations on social media.
Managing Joseph’s commitments will now be a key consideration for West Indies’ selectors, as they navigate the balance between overseas offers and national team duties. While in Brisbane, Ian Bishop expressed his hope that financial support could be secured to safeguard Joseph’s well-being.
“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 posted on X. “Their pace is everything. Don’t allow burnout.”
While Shamar Joseph was not initially slated to participate in the white-ball segment of the Australia tour, there’s a possibility he might be considered for the T20 World Cup in June, hosted in the Caribbean and West Indies. His next chance in Test cricket is anticipated on the tour of England in July, featuring three Test matches.
The ODI series against Australia kicks off in Melbourne on Friday, with Shai Hope leading the West Indies team and Daren Sammy serving as the coach. Following the ODIs, three T20Is are scheduled, and Rovman Powell will assume the captaincy for those matches.
For the latest updates and comprehensive coverage on this developing story, visit CricAdvisor – your ultimate cricket companion.
