The sensational seven-wicket haul bagged by an injured Shamar Joseph to propel the West Indies to a famous win over Australia at the Gabba proves that Test cricket isn’t dead.
Joseph produced one of those performances that will be talked about for generations, instantly writing his name into the rich folklore of not only West Indies cricket but Test cricket.
Australia had audaciously declared 22 runs behind the West Indies first innings score and for long stretches of the chase it seemed like Steve Smith would comfortably carry the hosts to victory but they didn’t factor in a fast bowler really getting into his groove and dismantling them from the other end.
Smith played his role in the epic drama with aplomb but ran out of partners before he could haul Australia over the line to clinch what would have been a series-winning chase.
The delivery that Shamar Joseph clinched an eight-run victory for the West Indies with would have done for much better batters but Josh Hazlewood had no chance at keeping it out.
A disconsolate Smith stood still unbeaten on 91 as his team just fell short in a thrilling chase.
Fortress Gabba breached again!
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 28, 2024
It was all thanks to the new toast of the cricket world, #ShamarJoseph!
In only his 2nd Test, he delivered his country's most important spell in recent time!
Don't miss #AUSvWI 1st ODI
FRI FEB 2, 9 AM onwards LIVE | Star Sports Network#Cricket pic.twitter.com/ZDRMb5FCcI
The West Indies have been able to produce plenty of technically proficient fast bowlers in the years since they dominated Test cricket but few have had the x-factor that exudes from Shamar Joseph.
He spectacularly burst onto the scene capturing the wicket of Steve Smith with his very first ball in Test cricket in the first match of the two-match series in Adelaide.
Shamar claims that he knew he would get a wicket with his first ball and in an instant it seemed that the great West Indian swagger was back.
The exciting conclusion of a Test match with a fast bowler with their tail up going up against a determined batter showed the visceral power a great match in this format has to move spectators.
Down to the last ball, the result hung in the balance and the man who struck the final blow and had struck six more already did so with a broken toe.
This was Test cricket at its most brutal and gladiatorial and shows just how much this great format can grip the imagination because anything can happen at any moment.
Test cricket lives.
