OTD | West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph born in 1996 

On this day, we celebrate the birthday of West Indies’ fiery pacer, Alzarri Joseph, whose journey from a leg spinner in Antigua to one of the fastest bowlers on the international circuit is nothing short of remarkable. Joseph’s cricketing tale began in his backyard in Antigua, where he initially showcased skills as a leg spinner. 

However, his towering height redirected his destiny toward the fast-bowling domain. His reputation as one of the fastest bowlers on the school circuit paved the way for a promising career. The turning point came in the 2016 Under-19 World Cup, where Joseph’s delivery clocked at 147 kph, breaking Zimbabwe batter Brendan Sly’s stumps and earning him the recognition of delivering the fastest ball in the competition. 

His impact continued throughout the tournament as he emerged as West Indies’ highest wicket-taker, claiming 13 wickets from six games at an impressive economy of 3.31. Before his international exploits, Joseph had already made waves with his performances in domestic cricket. In the 2015-2016 season, playing for Leeward Islands, he grabbed attention with a five-for against Guyana and a remarkable 7 for 46 against Windward Islands. These performances, coupled with his Under-19 World Cup success, propelled him into the Test squad.

Alzarri Joseph had registered best figures in IPL history 

Joseph’s Test debut against India in August 2016 saw him immediately making an impact by dismissing none other than Virat Kohli. His ODI debut followed shortly after, against Pakistan in Sharjah. The cricketing world witnessed a new chapter in Joseph’s career when Mumbai Indians signed him as an injury replacement for Adam Milne in the 2019 IPL season. In his debut game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he produced an astounding performance, claiming figures of 6 for 12 – the best by any bowler in the IPL.

As we celebrate Alzarri Joseph’s birthday, his stats tell a compelling story of his contribution to West Indies cricket. With 85 wickets in 30 Test matches, 104 wickets in 63 ODIs, and 26 wickets in 16 T20Is, Joseph’s journey from a leg spinner in Antigua to a formidable fast bowler in international cricket stands testament to his talent, dedication, and the exciting chapters that lie ahead in his career.

Also read: OTD| Sri Lanka’s former captain Dinesh Chandimal was born in 1989