Shamar Joseph named ICC Player Of The Month and earns IPL deal

West Indies rising sensation, fast bowler Shamar Joseph has been named the International Cricket Council (ICC) Player of the Month for January, after his heroic contribution in the two-match drawn Test Series against Australia.

In his first Test match at the Adelaide Oval, Joseph scored with 36 runs off 41 balls, including three fours and a six.

He then took an impressive five-wicket haul, including having Steve Smith caught at slip off his first ever delivery in Test cricket, before claiming the wickets of Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon.

Shamar returned in the second Test at the Gabba, Brisbane, he took one wicket in the first innings and had to retire hurt at the end of Day three after being hit in the toe by a yorker from Mitchell Starc while batting.

On day four, Joseph etched his name into the history books. In an incredible spell of 11.5 overs, he took seven wickets and led the West Indies to their first Test match win in Australia for 27 years, tying the Series.

Upon receiving the Player of the Month honor, Joseph said, “I am extremely delighted to win this award. To get such an award on the world stage feels special.”

“I totally enjoyed every moment of that experience playing for West Indies in Australia, especially the magic of the final day at The Gabba. Taking the wicket to win the match was a dream!”

“I want to say special thanks to the teammates and support staff in Australia who backed me from the start to get the job done,” Joseph said.

“I will be the one receiving the award, but this is also for the team and all the fans of the West Indies as well.”

Miles Bascombe, Cricket West Indies (CWI) director of cricket, congratulated Shamar stating “On behalf of Cricket West Indies I wish to congratulate Shamar on this award, may it be the first of many in what is hopefully a long career in maroon.”

Joseph is also set to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after signing a US$362 000 deal with Lucknow Super Giants.

The 24-year-old will replace England speedster Mark Wood and will join fellow West Indies player Kyle Mayers at Super Giants.

The Twenty20 franchise deal is the second for Joseph after he was signed by Darren Sammy’s Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League which bowls off later this month.