Sweating profusely after his match-winning performance and exuberant celebrations, Mr Shamar Joseph composed himself before answering a journalist’s query about how he felt.

But first he offered a question of his own: “When last have we beaten Australia? I can’t even remember.”

No wonder he doesn’t remember, for Mr Joseph, now 24, was only three years and nine months old the last time West Indies beat Australia in a Test match.

That was May 2003 at the Antigua Recreation Ground in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, when West Indies completed a world record run chase, reaching 418-7 to beat the visiting Australians by three wickets.

Six years earlier, in February 1997, was the last time West Indies defeated Australia in that country – winning by 10 wickets at Perth.

It’s against that backdrop, and much, much more, that the West Indies incredible eight-run win on Sunday in the second and final Test at Brisbane must be viewed.

Lest we forget, Mr Kraigg Brathwaite’s team started this tour of Australia with seven players who had never before played Test cricket.

Because just a year ago, an experienced, battle-hardened West Indies were soundly beaten with the Australians hardly breaking a sweat on a similar two-Test tour of that country, not much was reasonably expected this time around.

Enter Mr Joseph, a native of the remote Maroon village (descendants of runaway slaves) of Baracara on the banks of the Canje River in deep-rural Guyana, who only made his first-class début for his country in February of last year.

West Indies cricket will be forever grateful that knowledgeable observers, not least chairman of selectors, Mr Desmond Haynes, recognised Mr Joseph’s promise — not just talent but his never-say-die attitude.

That’s how Mr Joseph came to be selected for this just-ended trip to Australia.

His talent was immediately on show when he dismissed the great Mr Steve Smith with his first ball in Test cricket and pressed on to capture five first-innings wickets.

But West Indies still lost the first Test by 10 wickets.

And when on the third night of the final Test (day/night) Mr Joseph suffered a fearful blow to the big toe of his right foot while batting — forcing him to retire hurt — all hope seemed lost.

That Mr Joseph — limping at times — not only took the field Sunday morning, but would not stop until the last Australian wicket had fallen, will forever be told among cricket’s greatest stories.

Mr Joseph’s seven for 68, in what the Caribbean Media Corporation describes as “11.5 tireless consecutive overs”, carried West Indies to arguably its greatest Test match victory in history and its first ever in day/night Test matches.

He wasn’t alone. We must not forget the sterling efforts of fellow fast bowlers Messrs Alzarri Joseph and Kemar Roach, who shared seven first-innings wickets; the resolute batting of Messrs Joshua Da Silva and Kavem Hodge in the first innings; and wonderfully efficient catching and ground fielding.

Beyond all that, Mr Joseph, his teammates, their Coach Mr Andre Coley, and back room staff have shown the entire Caribbean and people everywhere that, no matter the odds, success is possible with hard work, desire, passion, and commitment.

As Mr Brathwaite has said to all and sundry, this can’t be the end, the inspirational work must continue. We wish the West Indies well as they press forward.