Lucknow: In a surprising development, Shamar Joseph, the talented West Indies pacer, has been announced as the replacement for Mark Wood in the Lucknow Super Giants squad for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Joseph’s acquisition comes with a price tag of INR 3 Crore, making this a significant move for the 24-year-old fast bowler.
Joseph’s inclusion follows his standout performance in the recently concluded Test series against Australia, where he emerged as a key player for the West Indies team. Notably, he claimed an impressive tally of 13 wickets across the two Tests, including a remarkable 7-68 in the second innings of the Gabba Test, contributing significantly to West Indies leveling the series.
Despite his limited T20 experience, featuring in only two matches, Joseph was part of the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the 2023 edition of the Caribbean Premier League, showcasing his potential in the shorter format.
The circumstances leading to Mark Wood’s unavailability for the IPL remain shrouded in mystery. The English pacer, who was part of Lucknow Super Giants in 2022, missed the tournament that year due to an elbow injury. In the 2023 edition, Wood played four matches, impressively bagging 11 wickets, including a notable five-wicket haul, before withdrawing from the competition due to undisclosed personal reasons.
The addition of Shamar Joseph to the Lucknow Super Giants lineup adds an exciting dynamic to the team’s bowling unit, and fans eagerly anticipate witnessing his prowess in the upcoming IPL season.