NEW DELHI: Despite being hampered by injury caused by a toe-crushing yorker by Australian paceman Mitchell Starc, West Indies quick
Shamar Joseph
delivered an exceptional performance to guide the Caribbean team to one of the most remarkable upsets in Test cricket history, stunning Australia by eight runs in Brisbane on Sunday.
Arriving in Australia with an under-strength squad for the Test series, the West Indies handed debuts to four players, including Joseph, across the two Tests.
Following a defeat inside three days in Adelaide the previous week, they were anticipated to face a similar outcome in the day-night Test in Brisbane.
However, after dismissing the hosts for 207 in the second session on Sunday, the West Indies achieved their first victory in Australia since their triumph in Perth in 1997. And the hero was Joseph, who claimed an astonishing figures 7 for 68 in the second innings to hand the Windies a memorable win.
Witnessing the incredible triumph from the commentary box, West Indies legends
Brian Lara
was overwhelmed with emotions, unable to contain tears, and so was former batter Carl Hooper.
In a video, on social media, Lara, describing Windies win, said: “It’s unbelievable. 27 years to beat Australia in Australia. Young, inexperienced, written off… this West Indies team and West Indies cricket can stand tall today. Today is a big day for West Indies cricket".
In another video, Hooper, who played 102 Tests and 227 ODIs for Windies, was crying and was out of words.
West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite praised Joseph and called him a "superstar".
"He's a superstar. I know he'll do great things for the West Indies in the future. Just his belief is incredible, he told me that he won't stop bowling till we win it. Very proud of the guys, they showed a lot of fire and heart, especially after the first Test. Very nice to see how they put in a fight, especially the batters. We can only learn from this win. I believe the more the better, that's how we learn. I would love more Test cricket for sure," Brathwaite said.
It was Australia's first loss in 12 pink-ball Tests.
English (US) ·