WEST Indian debutant Shamar Joseph claimed the wicket of Steve Smith with his first ball in Test cricket. Against the best team in the world and arguably one of the best batsmen to have graced the cricket field, Shamar-the boy from Baracara, Guyana-triumphed!

Great debut with the bat; great debut with the ball; and a most memorable and culturally laden interview. As Ian Bishop would say, ‘Remember that name: Shamar Joseph!’ In my entire life of cricket, I have never witnessed such events in a Test match, or any match, for that matter. It was indeed a game of glorious uncertainties.

By the time of reading this, West Indies will be well under, down under, but mainly due to the unavailability of our ‘star’ players. WI sent a team with seven uncapped players against arguably the best Test team in the world in their own backyard.

Sent in to bat, WI were soon struggling at 133 for nine before Shamar and Roach put on a vital 55-run, last-wicket partnership, with the new star scoring the second-most runs with 36 while batting at number 11-including three fours and a towering six off arguably the fastest bowler in the world, Josh Hazelwood. And this after being struck in the helmet off a Mitchell Stark delivery. What’s more intriguing is that this was the first six he has struck in first-class cricket!

The debutant who hails from one of the most remote villages in the Caribbean had not played top-flight cricket until 2023. His village is only accessible by a twoday boat trip, and Shamar grew up humble and devoid of modern conveniences. The fast bowler, who worked as a security guard to support his family, made the bold decision to quit his job and play cricket. He had only five first-class matches under his belt before his call-up-and of all places, Australia.

In his interview after he stole the honours on the first day, he said he had told his teammates he would take a wicket with his first ball, but never expected it to be that of Steve Smith, who is actually one of his mentors. He later added Marnus Labuschagne to make it two on the first day, and eventually finished with five wickets.

When told by the interviewer that he had missed his run-up on his first ball, he bowed his head-and when he lifted it, he had a great smile on his face and honestly replied: ‘I did not miss my run-up-I was nervous.’

Baracara has a population of approximately 350, and he grew up in a large family of eight children. When asked if he had any idea if the family was watching back in Baracara, he said he did not have to ask. The entire village would be up watching-he could actually feel the support from ‘up here’.

Growing up in Baracara was tough. The support he received from everyone, including his fiancée, was overwhelming. He pledged he would definitely help the people of Baracara: ‘If I do not help them, my career would not last long, I want to do so much for Baracara.’

Terrence Kalloo