The Light Roller imagines we are not the only ones who have been blasting out the Mariah Carey recently, following the advent of the hero Test cricket needed last month. Of all, Ben and the Bazballers have been talking about a good game for a while, but it appears to us that great vibes and a few more sixes can only go so far.
The format requires a comprehensive structural overhaul; better funding for those Test-playing nations that do not have access to “Big Three” coffers; and some actual leadership and direction from the ICC, which should take a strong hand in cricket’s global calendar and try to rationalise the glut of T20 franchise leagues that threaten to choke the ecosystem.
But, yes, hahaha, good one. Without all that, please introduce Shamar Joseph, Test cricket’s latest saviour.
The young quick’s amazing start to life as a West Indies cricketer/beacon of hope for us all to gather around could not have been more romantic – a characteristic that feeds the souls of all Test genuine believers more than such trivial issues as money and tour practicalities. A fairy-tale ascent from the bowels of a once-great empire to overthrow the powerful Aussies in their famed “Gabbatoir”. Despite his lowly beginnings, he took a wicket with his debut delivery in Tests and battled through injury to win—the purity of his smile (and that 145 kph outswinger).
Sorry, but we’ll need to sit down for a moment.
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Even the opposing captain, Pat Cummins, was taken aback by the potency of the Joseph story in defeat, saying in one of his now-customary betrayals of Australian masculinity: “As a Test-match cricket fan, there’s a part of me that was happy to watch.”
Of course, none of this would have occurred had the ICC not been asleep at the wheel, resulting in the West Indies sending a shadow squad on one of the most difficult touring assignments in the game. And you might be starting to worry that the cycle will repeat itself, with Joseph – who has a young family to maintain – enticed away by the riches and glamour of the T20 circuit.
But don’t worry, Joseph quickly addressed any such ideas following his Gabba exploits (in a statement that will not be used against him in the future): “I will always be here to play Test cricket for the West Indies.” “I will always be available to play for the West Indies, regardless of the amount of money offered.”
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After all, what could go wrong?
As Oscar Wilde didn’t quite say: “To lose one spinner to visa issues on a tour of India might be regarded as a misfortune, to lose two looks like carelessness.” England got away with it when Rehan Ahmed was briefly held in Rajkot earlier this week, due in large part to the Indian authorities’ understanding and flexibility – not a sentence we expected to type. However, given the drama surrounding Shoaib Bashir’s visa, which caused him to miss the first Test, you would have expected the ECB to be extremely sensitive to such issues. It may not be as appealing as the rest of the new mindset surrounding English cricket, but you must have those paperwork essentials in place before you can go Bazballing around the world.
Pity the BPL, which is no longer permitted to enter the franchise meat market through the VIP door and must forage for what it can find in the back. Still, any exposure is good press, which is why Shoaib Malik‘s exit from Fortune Barishal after only three games sparked interest, with the team owner implying that anti-corruption officials should get involved. A week later, however, Malik was back from a “pre-committed media engagement in Dubai” and proudly donning Barishal colours again. What was the unavoidable diary clash? According to the Light Roller’s findings, Malik was pursuing an alternative profession as a star YouTube interviewer – no, we’re serious.