‘Giving up is never an option’

-Shamar Joseph’s advice to youngsters

Still basking in the wake of his history-making test debut in Australia, Shamar Joseph took to social media platform Facebook via the Windies page on Monday night to interact with fans via a live video.

During that live chat, Joseph who took a five-wicket haul on debut (which included the wicket of Australian great Steve Smith off of his first delivery in test cricket), had some telling advice to youngsters who are from similar backgrounds as himself and who harbour hopes of making it to the top in the sport.

Joseph, who hails from the only Maroon village in Guyana,

Baracara, up the Canje River in Berbice, sticks by the mantra of self-belief.

His advice is simply this; “Never give up, keep believing in yourself, keep telling yourself that you can always meet that level. Giving up is never an option so keep believing”.

Reflecting on his debut, Joseph revealed that it was very emotional stepping onto the field in Adelaide. “There were joyful emotions, it was amazing, emotional, tears could have come to my eyes but I stayed strong and positive. At that moment, my kids, my fiancee, my family came to my mind because I’m doing it for them, all the supporters and Guyana as a whole”, he said.

During the live, he also spoke about the moments in the buildup to his five-wicket haul. “Before I took my five-wicket haul, on my fourth wicket, all I had on my mind was to get a fifth, when I got it, I wanted to cry but again, I had to stay strong”.

The speedster, who is a big fan of Smith, had a chance to chat with the batsman after the game. “He told me it was a great start to test cricket, he urged me to continue what I’m doing, don’t try to change anything, continue doing what I do best and my future is ahead of me. I will take that bit of advice and move ahead”.

More importantly, Joseph, who has been a revelation and a breath of fresh air to West Indian fans, made known his intent to represent West Indies on the international stage in the long run over playing franchise cricket. “I want to play ODI and T20s for West Indies, I want to have a great and long career for them. Not to go away to franchise cricket and leave. This was always my dream, I love playing for the West Indies. This is just the beginning”.

While West Indies lost the first test in Adelaide in under three days, Joseph said that the side despite its largely inexperienced members will do better in the upcoming second test which is a day/night pink ball match.

That game is slated to bowl off on January 25 at midnight local time.