West Indies young sensation Shamar Joseph produced one of the most remarkable spells in Test cricket to script a memorable eight-run win in the second Test against Australia.
Joseph, battling a toe injury, picked up 7/68 in 11.5 overs, including seven of the last eight Australian wickets.
Chasing 216, Australia appeared to be coasting along to a comfortable win to wrap up a 2-0 series victory at 113/2. However, Joseph finally came into the attack in the 29th over and single-handedly helped the Caribbean side level the series.
After being injured on his toe by a Mitchell Starc yorker at the tail end of the West Indian second innings, Joseph was forced to retire hurt and did not bowl on Day 3. The youngster made a remarkable Test debut in the first game in Adelaide, picking up a five-wicket haul in his maiden innings.
He also scored a resolute 36 with the bat in the West Indies first-innings in Adelaide to take them to a respectable total of 188 from 133/9.
Fans on Twitter could not hold back from hailing the rising superstar and his fortitude to bowl a sensational spell despite battling injury and undergoing scans the day before.
Here are some of the best reactions:
"I really feel we have won the series" - Shamar Joseph
An emotional Shamar Joseph termed the Brisbane Test victory as good as a series win despite a 1-1 finish.
The West Indies had never won a Test Down Under since the final game of the 1996-97 tour. Their last Test win against Australia came way back at home in 2003.
At the post-match presentation, Shamar Joseph said:
"Sticking to our basics, just stuck to the top of off-stump. I really do, I really feel we have won the series, it’s 1-1 but it feels like we have won it. Tears are coming in my eyes but I already cried when I took the five-wicket haul. Just happy that we have won this Test we can celebrate and be happy. I was not that tired, I said to my captain that I will bowl till the end until the last wicket falls. No matter how my toe was, I was going to give it my all."
Joseph picked up the crucial wickets of Cameron Green, Travis Head, Alex Carey, and Mitchell Marsh, among others.
A spectacular Joseph finished the series with 13 wickets at an average of 17.30, with two five-wicket hauls.
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