West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph has expressed his enthusiasm about playing at Lord's, with ambitions to leave a lasting impression at the iconic cricket ground.
Joseph is part of the West Indies squad for the three-Test series against England, starting at Lord's on 10 July. This match will also mark the final Test of James Anderson's illustrious career.
Joseph stated that he greatly admires Anderson, acknowledging his remarkable achievements at the highest level. He expressed a desire to disrupt Anderson's farewell performance, saying, "He is such an amazing player, someone I look up to, and very skilled at this level. He has taken many wickets here, and I would like to rain on his parade."
He added that Lord's is renowned for excellent fast bowling conditions, which adds to his excitement. Joseph recalled watching memorable Ashes series and performances from great fast bowlers like Jofra Archer and Mitchell Starc at Lord's, inspiring him to aim for similar success.
Anticipating a successful tour, Joseph conveyed the West Indies team's positive outlook. He said they are aiming for a series win and maintaining the energetic and positive atmosphere they developed during their last tour of Australia.
Joseph also acknowledged the challenges of playing at a new venue like Lord's, highlighting the importance of quickly adapting to the conditions.
He gained prominence during the drawn series against Australia in January, where he took 7 for 68, leading the West Indies to their first victory in Australia in over two decades.