Joseph ready to face England

LONDON, CMC – West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph has put his delayed arrival behind him and is ready to get to work against England in the first Test of the Vivian Richards-Ian Botham Trophy series, which begins tomorrow at the sport’s so-called ‘home’, Lord’s.

The 24-year-old Guyanese missed the three-day warm-up match against a County Select XI team which ended last Friday because his flight from Georgetown was delayed following the passage of destructive Hurricane Beryl.

He is expected to play a part in a dynamic Caribbean team attack after coming to prominence with a winning spell against Australia in Brisbane last January, where he helped Kraigg Brathwaite’s side secure a historic victory.

“Since our last tour to Australia, we have kept our energy,” Joseph told reporters ahead of a practice session at the historic venue of the first Test match. “That is the mindset we are going into this series (that West Indies can compete with England) with.”

Similar to their trip to Australia earlier this year, West Indies are looking to end a drought in England, where they have not won a Test series since Vivian Richards’ side beat Graham Gooch’s men 4-0 in a five-match series.

Joseph said he was looking forward to the series because of the history associated with Tests in England, where fast bowlers have thrived and made a name for themselves.

“I’m delighted to be here,” he said. “England are known for their fast bowling.

“I watched the Ashes a lot with great fast bowlers, Jofra Archer, Mitchell Starc, all the great fast bowlers come here and do well – and that’s something I’d like to do as well.”

This Test will be particularly special as it will mark James Anderson’s final international appearance for England and will end his career as the highest-wicket pacer in the history of the format. Joseph hailed Anderson for his exploits with the ball and for someone he looked up to growing up, but he reiterated a sentiment first expressed by now-injured veteran pacer Kemar Roach that West Indies’ plans are to try and spoil the retired pacer’s farewell by winning.

“He’s an incredible player,” Joseph said of Anderson. “Someone I admire. Someone who’s very good at this level. You could say he’s perfect because he’s got a lot of wickets at this level. I would really like to spoil this farewell for him.”