AUS vs WI 2nd Test: Shamar Joseph ended up becoming a hero for West Indies as he inspired them to a historic Test win against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane on Sunday, January 28.
West Indies defeated the hosts by 7 runs, their first Test win on Australian soil since 1997, in the second Test to level the two-match series 1-1.
Shamar wasn't even going to take the field on the decisive fourth day after he took a blow on his toe off a lethal yorker from Mitchell Starc on the third day that forced him to remain out of action since.
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But his doctor treated him and he ended up bowling a dream spell of seven wickets to script his name in the history books.
"I wasn't even coming out to the ground this morning to be fair. I must give a shout-out to the doctor," Joseph said in a post-match interview. "He is an amazing doctor to me. He told me to come to the ground for a reason, even if it's just to support the guys."
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"But I came and he did something to my toe. I don't know what he did but something worked. So I just had that time to go out there and bowl and bring this game home for my team."
Joseph, who picked up seven wickets for 68 runs in the second innings, went for runs in his 11.5 overs but became a hero despite having tears in his eyes at the end of the third day.
After taking a blow, Joseph retired hurt which ended the West Indies' second innings for193 runs before they began the fourth day being eight wickets away from win whereas Australia had the upper hand with Steve Smith at the crease as they just needed 156 runs.
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Once Shamar came into attack towards the end of the first hour of day four, his only request to captain Kraigg Braithwaite was to keep him going "till the last wicket falls".
"It was just [about being] positive. That's all. [My team-mates] said just go out there and do it - take wickets," he said. "It was just our positivity. I am not that tired because I wanted to do this for my team. I told my skipper I would bowl to 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 am happy that he is proud of me now."
The 24-year-old has had a remarkable debut series as he picked up a five-for on his maiden Test in Adelaide and was adjudged as the Player of the Match in the second game and won the Player of the Series award as well for his 13 wickets in total.
He also contributed with the bat, scoring 57 runs in four innings including a crucial knock of 36 runs in the first innings during Adelaide Test.
