Joseph’s foot injury costs him UAE T20 gig with Warner after West Indies series

West Indies’ emerging pace sensation, Shamar Joseph, who garnered attention with his historic display at the Gabba, is facing a setback as his foot injury, sustained during that remarkable performance, has led to the cancellation of his deal with the Dubai Capitals in the UAE Twenty20 league.

The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that Joseph has been compelled to fly back to the Caribbean after his foot injury was deemed too severe to allow him to participate further. This injury has cast a shadow over his anticipated collaboration with former Test opener David Warner at the Capitals, owned by the conglomerate that also holds the Delhi Capitals IPL franchise.

Initially poised to travel from Australia to the UAE for the Twenty20 league, Joseph’s plans have now been altered as he heads home to the Caribbean to recuperate from the toe injury inflicted by a Mitchell Starc delivery late on day three at The Gabba.

Although the UAE league runs until February 18, Joseph has not been entirely sidelined, having signed another Twenty20 deal with Peshawar in the Pakistan Super League, a tournament commencing on the same date.

Joseph, reflecting on his commitment to Test cricket after his heroics in the Brisbane Test, emphasized his unwavering dedication. He stated, “There will be times when T20 cricket might come around. Test cricket will be there. And I will say this live. I will always be available to play for the West Indies, no matter how much money it takes or come towards me. So I will always be here to play Test cricket.”

Kraigg Brathwaite, the West Indian captain, echoed the sentiment of striking a balance between Twenty20 and Test cricket for the continued progression of his team. He highlighted Joseph’s dedication and emphasized the importance of finding the right equilibrium to nurture the love for the game, particularly in the challenging arena of Test cricket.

Expressing his concern for the need for more consistent Test cricket, Brathwaite lamented the relatively sparse schedule, citing their next Test series scheduled for July 10. He stressed the talent within the team and its capacity to compete and win Test matches but emphasized the urgency for more opportunities to play the longer format, echoing the sentiment that resonates throughout the West Indies team.