Almanac Cricket: The Test debut of Shamar Joseph

 

Comparing the debut of the new West Indian fast bowler from Guyana, Shamar Joseph, with the great Hardus Viljoen, who stands alone as the only Test cricketer ever to take a wicket with his first ball bowled, and hit a boundary with his first ball faced.

 

Shamar Joseph started impressively in Adelaide taking Steve Smith’s wicket, no less, with his first ball in Test cricket. Batting at No.11, he couldn’t quite match Hardus’ effort, but did hit a four with the fourth ball that he faced.

 

Despite his lively 36 run contribution with the bat in the first innings, and after taking five wickets with the ball, Shamar preferred not to be promoted up the batting order, saying that No.11 was working well for him.

 

With the West Indies nearly all out, struggling to make Australia bat for a second time, Shamar came in knowing that he needed to make at least a few runs to give his team any type of lead, and to be able to bowl again. He elegantly drove the first ball of his second innings to the cover boundary, once more showing his Hardus like qualities.

 

So at least he got to bowl for a second time, and try and defend the West Indies lead of 26 runs over Australia.

 

But to avail. When it all looked over, with Khawaja and Smith likely to overtake those 26 runs without any loss of wicket, Shamar gave it one last effort. With scores level, and Usman Khawaja about to hit the winning run, wondering how easy is Test cricket, Shamar delivered a bouncer direct to Uzy’s chin, sending him off to get an x-ray, to remind him that Test cricket is a tough game, and wishing him some pleasant dreams until next they meet.

 

Shamar Joseph finished his Test debut in Australia with five wickets in an innings, and a batting average of 25. Impressive start! But Hardus Viljoen’s record still remains unmatched in Test cricket history.

 

For the record, (statistics current to 20 January, 2024):

 

Shamar Joseph

 

Test debut: 17 January 2024, West Indies v Australia, Adelaide

 

Tests: 1

 

Wickets: 5           Best bowling: 5/94           Bowling average: 20.20

 

Runs: 51               (4s): 6, (6s): 1                     Batting average: 25.50

 

 

Hardus Viljoen

 

Test debut: 14 January 2016, South Africa v England, Johannesburg

 

Tests: 1

 

Wickets: 1           Best bowling: 1/79           Bowling average: 94.00

 

Runs: 26               (4s): 4, (6s): 0                     Batting average: 26

 

*It can be noted that Viljoen only ever took one wicket at Test level, but it was a good one, Alistair Cook, the opposition captain (57 consecutive Test matches as England captain.) And one Test wicket is one more than either me, or most anyone else reading this collectively is likely to have taken.

 

 

More from Michael Viljoen can be read Here.

 

 

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