Karachi
The Caribbean cricket scene is currently basking in the triumph achieved at the Gabba and the emergence of Shamar Joseph on the global cricket stage. Amidst the celebration, there is one cricketer who takes particular pride and joy in Shamar’s remarkable exploits – Romario Shepherd.
Romario and Shamar, though five years apart in age, have been lifelong buddies and neighbours. Hailing from the same Baracara area of north-eastern Guyana, their childhood memories are intertwined with the famous Canje Creek.
“His arrival is something. If I say, or anyone says, they saw this coming, they would be lying. But I do believe in destiny, and I think this is his destiny. It’s unbelievable, and I’m so happy for him,” expresses Romario, a white-ball specialist in the West Indies team, about Shamar’s meteoric rise.
“He will go a long way because I know he works very hard, and he has a big heart. I mean, who can question his heart after watching him run and bowl at 150 kmph with a burst toe.”
Shamar’s sensational spell of 12 overs with a bruised toe at the Gabba, where he claimed seven wickets, turned the tables in the Pink Ball Test against Australia, resulting in an eight-run victory for the West Indies. Romario acknowledges this performance, stating, “ Well, I think it’s up there with some of the greatest performances ever for the West Indies.
“So the sky’s the limit for him. My advice to him is to continue working hard and continue asking a lot of questions like he always does; be disciplined and respect the game always. And remember to always have fun.
That’s the reason we all started to play cricket.”
Romario’s advice to his younger teammates must mean something. It was he who introduced him to big time cricket. And on one occasion, in fact, he was stunned by the quality of Shamar. Romario, who has played in 28 ODIs and 32 T20Is, recalls the story.
“Well I have known Shamar personally since he was a kid. We come from the same area; we went to the same school up there in nursery and primary (BARACARA PRIMARY). I had to leave the area after primary school and used to see him on and off. We used to play cricket in my yard, he was my next door neighbour. And when I saw him bowl, he was bowling quick. By then I had already made my international debut. So I took him to training with me and first ball of the morning he had me off my feet with a short ball.”
