He made Brian Lara and Carl Hooper break down in tears. Such was the stirring of emotions, even hard-bitten Australian fans were mostly cheering him on when he tore across the Gabba on an injured toe to celebrate one of the biggest upsets in Test history.

All of that was achieved in just his second Test match.

But he pushed through the pain on day four, although it appeared in vain as Australia cruised towards the target of 216 at 113 for 2.

Bowling with the pink ball at speeds close to 150kph, Joseph turned the match on its head with four quick wickets.

Australia inched closer, but an exhausted Joseph removed Starc and Pat Cummins and then clean-bowled Josh Hazlewood to trigger scenes of jubilation for the West Indies players and their legends watching on.

The young man from the remote Guyanese village of Baracara, who bowled 11.5 overs unchanged before and after the dinner break, became a household name.

Key moment

Smith and Cameron Green were doing it comfortably as Australia closed in on an inevitable victory. But Joseph summoned a ferocious delivery that leapt from a length out of nowhere and whacked Green on the back elbow before falling onto the stumps. On the next delivery he delivered a thunderous yorker to crash the stumps of Travis Head and set up an unforgettable finish.

The numbers

What they said

“This is my dream, to play cricket for the West Indies. I will always be available to play for the West Indies, no matter how much money comes towards me.”
– Shamar Joseph

“He told me he’s going to do it. I had to back him. He’s a superstar and I know he’ll do great things for West Indies in the future.”
– Kraigg Brathwaite, West Indies captain

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