BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) — Legendary former seamer Sir Curtly Ambrose has urged West Indies’ latest fast bowling recruit Shamar Joseph to focus on the longer format of the game first, in order to properly develop his skill set.

Speaking in the wake of Joseph’s fireworks in the second Test against Australia in Brisbane on Sunday, Sir Curtly said it was critical the 24-year-old established a “solid foundation” before experimenting in the shorter versions.

“I believe that he loves cricket in general and it doesn’t matter whether it’s Test, ODI or T20 cricket. I believe he is just passionate about cricket,” Sir Curtly told the
Daily Star in Dhaka.

“But, for me, I would love to see him continue playing red-ball cricket for a while so that he can develop his skills. Because we know sometimes as a young player as you gain success you are wanted in the T20 franchise cricket around the world.

“I would like to see Shamar Joseph play a lot of red-ball cricket. He has just started his career so he needs to learn and understand what it takes to become a world-class fast bowler and then you can always branch out to ODIs or T20 cricket.

“But learn the art first, make sure he’s got a solid foundation and then he can branch out.”

Joseph arrived in Australia as one of seven uncapped players in an inexperienced West Indies squad, but quickly made an impact with a five-wicket haul on debut in Adelaide as the tourists went down by 10 wickets in the opening Test.

West Indies appeared headed for another defeat on Sunday’s penultimate day of the final Test at the Gabba, with Australia cruising to 113 for two inside the first hour in pursuit of 216 for victory.

However, Joseph’s introduction turned the game on its head, the speedster defying a toe injury to snatch seven for 68 in 11.5 consecutive hostile overs, to send the Aussies tumbling to an eight-run defeat.

Sir Curtly, who managed Joseph at a fast-bowling clinic in Guyana two years ago, described the right-armer as a “huge find” and said he had the potential to be very successful in the global game.

“The thing with Shamar, he is not the tallest fast bowler,” said Sir Curtly, who has ventured into coaching and television punditry since taking 405 wickets in 98 Tests during a stellar career.

“You know, when you talk about West Indian fast bowlers, most tend to think of great fast bowlers who were (six feet, 10 inches) or 6-8, like myself, Courtney Walsh and Joel Garner, who were well over six feet.

“But Shamar Joseph is not a six-feet tall guy. He is a bit of a skidder as he’s got raw pace and bowls at a pace of 140 (kph)-plus consistently, which is high pace. He is a skiddy customer more in the mould of Malcolm Marshall, who was quick and skiddy.

“I hope that he remains focused, humble and continues to learn his craft and tries to learn and improve every single day. He is the type of person who could go on to become a successful cricketer,” said Sir Curtly.