Joseph goes from remote villager to Windies Test hero

Joseph on Wednesday capped one of the most meteoric and unique rises, providing Test cricket with the feel-good story it needs in only the West Indian quick's 10th professional match.

Less than a year on from his first elite match after giving up his job as a security guard to pursue cricket, Joseph claimed figures of 2-18 on Test debut.

The 24-year-old became the only player in history to dismiss Steve Smith with his first ball in Test cricket, before also sealing Marnus Labuschagne's fate late.

His wickets came after he had belted 36 with the bat, while walking in at No.11 and helping West Indies to 188, before Australia went to stumps on 2-59.

Joseph's twin blows are only a small part of the 24-year-old's incredible story.

Not long ago he was using limes, lemons and guavas as cricket balls in his river village of Baracara, which is a six-hour boat ride from the nearest town.

Such is its remoteness, the internet didn't arrive in Baracara until October 2018.

By then Smith had amassed 22 Test centuries.

On Wednesday though, Joseph was not only on the same pitch as Smith but snared his wicket with the first ball he bowled when he had him caught at slip.

The dismissal made him only the 23rd player in Test history to take a wicket with his first ball.

"I had a few conversations with the boys in the dressing room. I told them that I would get a wicket on my first ball," Joseph said.

"But I didn't know it was Steve Smith.

"Since I got the call up, a lot people are saying I want you to get Steve Smith, I want you to get Steve Smith. Everybody was just about Steve Smith."

Every now and then there were reminders of the rawness of Joseph, who walked into a cricket store in Adelaide last week without being recognised when he bought an arm guard.

He lost his run-up a number of times and had the ball slip out of his hand twice before it eventually rolled down the pitch.

Even before his first ball Joseph had to abort his run up, explaining later he was just so nervous bowling to his favourite player.

But it barely fazed the right-armer, who never lost his rhythm amongst all of that.

"I really love Steve Smith," Joseph said.

"I watched back a few Tests with Steve Smith. And I think that area's is a weakness for him. I just say that I will just hit the top of off.

"Because he is a batsman who moves across a lot. He tries to take you off your line.

"I just stick to the basic, hit just on top of off. Get a little movements away. And I got the edge.

Joseph predicted no-one would have slept in Baracara overnight and he wants to use his cricket career to help the village financially.

But on Wednesday he offered them every ounce of joy, setting up Labuschagne to have him caught in the deep and getting the wicket of another former No.1-ranked batsman.

"(After dismissing Smith) I thought 'I could get any other batsman here'," Joseph said.

"I will remember this for the rest of my life. I will actually take a picture and post it in my house."

Australian Associated Press