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Shamar Joseph, born on 31 August 1999, is a cricketer from Guyana, representing Guyana in first-class cricket and the West Indies in interna...
Shamar Joseph, born on 31 August 1999, is a cricketer from Guyana, representing Guyana in first-class cricket and the West Indies in international cricket. As a right-arm fast bowler, he marked his international debut in January 2024 against Australia at the Adelaide Oval. His outstanding performance included taking Steve Smith’s wicket with his very first ball in test cricket and securing a five-wicket haul (5/94). This achievement made him the best debutant West Indian bowler in Australia.
Before delving into his cricket career, it's noteworthy that Joseph worked as a security guard. Originating from Baracara, a small community in Guyana, Joseph faced challenges growing up, with limited access to internet and communication facilities. Baracara, with its small population of around 350 people, lacked amenities for secondary education.
Joseph, raised in a family with three sisters and five brothers, developed a passion for cricket inspired by West Indian bowlers Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh. He started playing cricket with makeshift equipment, using fruits like lemons and limes, earning the nickname "jungle-land cricket" in Baracara. Currently residing as neighbors with West Indies cricketer Romario Shepherd, Joseph had his first taste of organized cricket playing for Tucber Park Cricket Club.
Before pursuing cricket full-time, Joseph worked in the logging industry, eventually moving to New Amsterdam after a near-accident with a falling tree. In New Amsterdam, he initially worked in construction and later as a security guard at Amalgamated Security Services in Scotiabank. Despite long 12-hour shifts, Joseph decided to quit his job and focus on cricket with the support of his fiancée.
His cricket journey accelerated when Romario Shepherd introduced him to the Guyana cricket team. Impressively, Joseph made his mark with a debut performance of 6/13 in Division 1 cricket. He played for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the 2023 Caribbean Premier League, catching the attention of talent scout Prasanna Agoram. Joseph's T20 debut followed in September 2023.
In the 2023-24 Super50 Cup, he made his List A debut and earned a place in the West Indies A side for a series in South Africa, claiming 12 wickets. Joseph's impressive domestic performances led to his selection in the West Indies test squad for the 2023–2025 ICC World Test Championship tour of Australia.
During his test debut at the Adelaide Oval, Joseph not only scored 36 runs but also took a wicket off his first delivery, dismissing Steve Smith. He achieved a unique double by securing a five-wicket haul on his test debut. In the second test against Australia, he claimed another five-wicket haul, playing a pivotal role in the West Indies' historic test victory after 27 years in Australia. Joseph received the player of the series award for his exceptional bowling throughout the series, picking up a total of 13 wickets.
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