Shamar Joseph’s seven-wicket spell inspires West Indies to first Test win in Australia since 1997

Shamar Joseph’s stunning seven-wicket spell inspired the West Indies to a first Test victory in Australia since 1997 as the tourists tied the two-match series 1-1 with an eight-run win in Brisbane.

Joseph had hobbled off in tears 24 hours earlier after being struck on the toe by a yorker from Mitchell Starc.

Australia appeared to be cruising towards their target of 215 as they were 113-2 at one point.

Steve Smith carried his bat for the home side with an unbeaten 91 but ran out of partners as they were eviscerated by Joseph’s blistering spell of 7-68 during 11.5 overs either side of the tea break to bowl the Aussies out for 207.

"I wasn't even coming out to the ground this morning to be fair. I must give a shout-out to the doctor," said Joseph, who only quit his job as a security guard 18 months ago to follow his dream.

“He is an amazing doctor to me. He told me to come to the ground for a reason, even if it's just to support the guys.

"But I came and he did something to my toe. I don't know what he did but something worked. So I just had that time to go out there and bowl and bring this game home for my team."

Joseph was hailed as a “superstar” by his captain Kraigg Braithwaite as he picked up the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards after also taking a five-wicket haul in Australia’s 10-wicket win in the first Test.

"He's a superstar and I know he'll do great things for West Indies in the future," Braithwaite said.

"Just his belief...he told me today he's not putting [the ball] down till it's finished. That's the example for this team to follow."

Victory was the West Indies' first Test win over Australia anywhere in the world since 2003 and Braithwaite urged his side to build on the historic achievement.

"We won a Test match in Australia. It's amazing," he added. "It does a lot [for West Indies cricket], it means a lot. It's been a number of years since we've won a Test match here.

"But my message to the group is that this is the beginning. It's amazing, we enjoy this, but I think this has to continue."

Despite only drawing the series, Joseph said it felt like a win for the tourists.

"I feel like we won the series. Even though it's 1-1 I feel like we won the entire series," added Joseph, who was only playing in his second Test. "I feel really amazing for my team-mates. They are really encouraging and I am glad that I made them proud and bring the series to 1-1.

"Tears came to my eyes right now. I already cried during my five-wicket haul [in the first Test]. It's just happiness. That's the emotion I can bring out right now. Just happy that we won the Test."

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