West Indies‘ sensational Test performance against Australia at the Gabba has not only secured a historic victory but also caught the attention of coach Daren Sammy, who sees Shamar Joseph as a potential game-changer for the upcoming T20 World Cup . Joseph’s remarkable seven-wicket haul in the Test match has created a selection dilemma for Sammy, particularly considering Joseph’s limited exposure to T20 cricket, having played only two matches without taking any wickets.
Despite this, Sammy has expressed confidence in Joseph’s abilities, envisioning him as an all-format player. He sees Joseph as a key addition to the squad, particularly with other talented players like Jayden Seales also in the mix. Sammy emphasized the importance of developing a strong core across all formats, enabling the team to pick from a position of strength.
“He will definitely be an all-format player. I can’t wait to get my hands on him in this squad. But look, everything has a process to it. That’s the way myself, and the chairman of selectors operate. What he’s done, he’s created a really good headache for me with the World Cup coming up, building forward in the ODI team,” he said as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.
“We got other guys like Jayden Seales, who’s injured at the moment. So we’re developing a core in all formats that enables us to pick from good positions, guys that are performing and that’s what you want as a cricketing nation,” he added.
While Joseph was initially not included in the white-ball squads for the ODI and T20 series against Australia due to a toe injury sustained during the Gabba Test, his outstanding performance has led to discussions about his potential inclusion. However, Joseph chose to return home to recover, celebrating his success with his family.
Sammy highlighted the significance of letting Joseph savor his triumph, emphasizing the rarity of such victories and the importance of enjoying these moments. He also remains optimistic about Joseph’s participation in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for Peshawar Zalmi and believes that his extraordinary performance will inspire the inexperienced ODI squad in their upcoming matches against Australia.
“When somebody performs like that the team rises, and it was so good to watch. You see the smile on my face every time you go back to that and I just hope my men – whenever challenges come you can just remember that if you push through, there’s always gold at the end of the rainbow,” Sammy concluded.
As the West Indies team prepares for the T20 World Cup, Joseph’s emergence as a potential match-winner has added an exciting dimension to their squad selection. With Sammy’s confidence in Joseph’s abilities, the young cricketer could play a crucial role in the team’s campaign in the upcoming tournament.
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