In the first day of the test match against Australia, Berbican Shamar Joseph made a remarkable debut performance, standing out with both bat and ball.
Despite West Indies being bowled out for 188, Joseph’s contributions were a highlight for the visiting team.
As the West Indies opted to bat first, the opening pair of Tagenarine Chanderpaul (6) and captain Kraigg Brathwaite (13) faced early dismissals, leaving the team at 27 for two inside 14 overs.
Alick Athanaze (13) fell in the 24th over, and the team faced a challenging situation.
However, a brief partnership between Kirk McKenzie and Kaveem Hodge added 46 runs before Hodge’s dismissal in the 38th over, followed by McKenzie and Justin Greaves, leaving the score at 108 for 6.
The Windies managed to add 80 more runs before being bowled out in the 63rd over, with Shamar Joseph contributing 36 runs from 41 balls.
Joseph’s exceptional debut continued when, in the 9th over, with his very first delivery, he removed Steven Smith.
This achievement made him only the second West Indian bowler, after Tyrell Johnson in 1939, to take a wicket with the first ball on debut and the 23rd bowler ever to achieve this feat.
Joseph also dismissed Marnus Labuschagne, ending the day with two scalps for 18 runs.
At the close of play, Australia was at 59 for 2, trailing by 129 runs.
The next day’s play will see Usman Khawaja (30) and Cameron Green (6) resuming their innings.
Shamar Joseph expressed his excitement about the remarkable feat, and he credited the support from his family and the hard work he has put in over the years for his selection.