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West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph today received the latest reward for his sensational test debut in Australia, as he was granted a Cricket West Indies (CWI) international retainer contract.
A release from the CWI Media said the decision to upgrade the Guyana pacer from his current franchise contract was taken “in recognition of Joseph’s outstanding performance and invaluable contribution to the recent historic victory against Australia on their home soil in Brisbane, marking Australia’s first defeat to the West Indies since 1997”.
The 24-year-old Joseph, a former security guard from the rural village of Barcara, marked his first ball in Test cricket with the wicket of star Australia batsman Steve Smith.
He went on to become only the tenth West Indies players to take five wickets in his Test debut—a feat that he bettered in the second Test with a match winning spell of 7 for 68, despite bowling with a toe injury, in a shock win for the visitors.
Joseph was adjudged the man of the series.
Enoch Lewis, a CWI director and chair of the cricket development and performance committee, said Joseph’s performance and dedication “exemplifies the spirit of West Indies cricket”.
Joseph became only the 10th West Indian to take five wickets on his debut during the First Test.
Photo: AFP/ Getty
“As exhilarated as we are, it is also dutiful to elevate Shamar Joseph to a CWI international retainer contract,” Lewis told CWI Media. “His extraordinary talent and steadfast dedication serve as the cornerstone of our team’s recent triumph at the Gabba, and such promise merits its due recognition.
“Shamar has not just been rewarded with a retained contract, he has earned it.”
Joseph’s upgrade opened the way for another young fast bowler, 25-year-old Barbadian Chemar Holder, to be granted the former’s franchise contract.
Holder has just returned from injury rehabilitation and, according to CWI Media, shows “signs of eagerness to be reintegrated at the highest level”.
(via Barbados Today)
Miles Bascombe, director of cricket, congratulated both men.
“Shamar’s elevation to a CWI international retainer contract reflects his potential and the bright future ahead for West Indies cricket,” said Bascombe. “We have also offered Chemar Holder a franchise contract as we double down on securing the best fast-bowling talent available. We are excited to see both men continue to excel.”
The CWI suggested that the contract upgrades “reaffirms its commitment to nurturing talent and fostering excellence within the team”.
Copyright: Getty Images
The full list of West Indies Men’s International retainers for 2023/24 are:
Alick Athanaze, Kraigg Brathwaite, Keacy Carty, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, and Romario Shepherd.
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