Shamar Joseph of West Indies stuns Australia with historic performance at the Gabba

In a historic upset, West Indies Shamar Joseph, a 24-year-old with limited experience and nursing an injury, etched his name in cricket folklore with a mesmerizing 7-wicket haul that handed Australia their greatest shock in 27 years.

Joseph’s heroics propelled the West Indies to a thrilling eight-run victory at the Gabba, marking their first win on Australian soil since 1997.

Playing only his second Test match, Joseph’s career-defining performance saw him dismantle Australia’s top order with figures of 7-68 on Sunday afternoon. His feat rewrote the narrative of a match that seemed destined for an Australian triumph.

Australia, chasing 216 runs for victory, appeared in control at 112 for 2 before Joseph’s intervention. Despite nursing a broken toe, the debutant’s relentless determination turned the tide in West Indies’ favor. His dismissal of key batsmen like Cameron Green and Travis Head signaled a momentum shift that West Indies capitalized on.

Joseph’s spellbinding display included a match-winning 5-wicket haul in 10 consecutive overs, leaving Australian batsmen struggling to mount a comeback. Even Steve Smith’s valiant unbeaten 91 couldn’t rescue Australia from the jaws of defeat.

Reflecting on his remarkable performance, Joseph credited the team doctor for convincing him to take the field despite his injury. “I told my skipper I would bowl until the end, until the last wicket falls. It doesn’t matter how my toes are. I’m okay. I did it for him, and I’m happy that he’s proud of me now,” Joseph said in a post-match interview with Fox Cricket.

West Indies wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva echoed Joseph’s sentiments, describing the victory as “amazing” and highlighting the team’s resilience in the face of adversity.

While Steve Smith’s individual brilliance stood out, it was Joseph’s relentless determination and skill that ultimately sealed the West Indies’ historic triumph, reminding cricket fans of the unpredictable nature of the sport.

In a match characterized by sheer competitiveness, West Indies victory over Australia serves as a reminder that almost everything is achievable. For the story of Shamar Joseph says so because a year back he was hoping to play first-class cricket, now he has guided West Indies to a remarkable unprecedented win over Australia.