Shamar Joseph, 24, the Guyanese fast bowler, is the other exciting talent who has replaced Mark Wood for the IPL season 2024 in the LSG squad. West Indies Test sensation Shamar Joseph is present as Wood’s replacement, he isn’t much experienced in T20 cricket. But Justin Langer, in his first year as LSG’s head coach after Andy Flower spent two years in the franchise, thinks Shamar Joseph has it in him to succeed in IPL 2024.
Lucknow Super Giants is a little concerned about the lack of experience in the fast-bowling department after Mark Wood ruled himself out of the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League due to personal reasons and David Willey won’t be available in the initial stage either as he was part of the PSL and ILT20.
The heroics of Shamar Joseph
Few years down a person in a family of five brothers and three sisters, growing up idolizing Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh , opening bowlers of the then West Indies team in the 90s and early 2000s, imitating them in his tape ball games across his village, starting to bowl with fruits like lemons, lime ,guavas and peaches along with tape ball which was dubbed as ‘Jungle cricket’ in Baracara, 24 year Shamar Joseph has launched himself into the history books on 28th January 2024 as his spell of 7-68 decimated Australia in Gabba by 8 runs.
These heroics from 24 year old pacer formerly a security guard who debuted in this test series in the first match picking up fifer in the same , getting toe crushed by an Yorker only to return to bowl an inspired spell in an day night test , Shamar Joseph has etched himself a place in history of West Indies cricket as his spell inspired West Indies to beat Australia for the first time in Pink ball test.
This win after 27 years which bought happiness to West Indian legend Brian Lara in the commentary box is a story of grit and determination of a team willing to rise from ashes after witnessing a golden chapter in the early 80s till late 2000s. Kraigg Braithwaite along with his young team where majority of experienced players like Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers opting out scripted an history similar to Indian victory at Gabba in 2021 summer.
A household name after that Shamar Joseph was roped in as a replacement of Mark Wood for Lucknow Super Giants and the head coach Justin Langer has huge words to say for this sensational youngster in the squad.
Shamar Joseph has got all ingredients to succeed- Justin Langer
There are many changes in Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for this IPL after losing in the playoffs on both the previous occasions. Mentor Gautam Gambhir left, former Australia batter and coach Justin Langer replaced Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower, former South African all-rounder Lance Klusener came in as assistant coach and England speedster Mark Wood was replaced by West Indies bowling sensation Shamar Joseph.
Lucknow Super Giants is a little concerned about the lack of experience in the fast-bowling department after Mark Wood ruled himself out of the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League due to personal reasons and David Willey won’t be available in the initial stage either as he was part of the PSL and ILT20
Moreover, Shivam Mavi, the injury-prone pacer hasn’t played competitive cricket since August 2023 due to a rib injury while Delhi fast-bowler Mayank Yadav has struggled with a side strain. Left-arm fast-bowler Mohsin Khan has endured injury issues while Yash Thakur, though he picks wickets, isn’t very good in stemming the run-flow. The only experienced overseas pacer LSG has is in Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq.
Justin Langer is excited about the young speedster Mayank Yadav and believes Afghanistan’s Naveen-ul-Haq will provide great cover from experience point of view . He stated :
“There is enormous talent. The pacers – they all look fit, hungry & healthy. We need to manage them well, not just at the start but through the whole tournament. Among the pacers, Naveen has played a lot of T20 cricket. Then there’s young Mayank (Yadav).”
West Indies speedster Shamar Joseph has become an overnight sensation after his incredible seven-wicket haul helped West Indies beat Australia at the Gabba earlier this year.
“He didn’t have experience even before going into two Test matches. I was commentating and I saw him take seven wickets in 37 degrees heat, 80 percent humidity and a broken toe. Smile, spirit, athleticism and skill – he has got all the ingredients to succeed.”
Shamar Joseph replaced Mark Wood in the LSG squad after the England pacer pulled out of the tournament. LSG will hope the West Indies pacer doesn’t let them feel the pinch of Wood’s absence.