‘Test cricket is the No. 1 but West Indies future depends on…’: Michael Vaughan bold remark after Shamar Joseph’s Gabba heroics

West Indies achieved a remarkable Test victory in Australia on January 28. It marked their first win in Australia in 27 years, achieved at the historic Gabba Stadium.

The young debutant Shamar Joseph spearheaded West Indies' charge in this series. In a thrilling encounter spanning four days, the team secured an eight-run victory over Australia. Initially underestimated in the series, West Indies managed to salvage a draw against Australia. Former England cricketer Michael Vaughan hailed it as a magnificent triumph in his column for the Telegraph, emphasising the significance of Test cricket as the premier format globally.

"The last 24 hours have proved again that Test cricket is the No. 1 format in the world. It's the talk of the town," Vaughan said after England and West Indies won their respective Test matches against India and Australia.

"Here in Australia, West Indies arrived with seven debutants in their squad – four have made their debuts. They have all contributed. One of those, Shamar Joseph, has bowled his heart out, with an injured toe, to deliver West Indies a magical win," Vaughan further added.

"West Indies' future depends on the distribution of wealth. There's a great danger that Shamar Joseph goes down the Twenty20 route," Vaughan wrote in his column.

"I'm sick and tired of people talking about it. Test cricket is something that just needs a huge amount of protection and thought of how we're going to make it very, very special for a long period of time," he further added.

West Indies have slipped from prominence in Test cricket and struggle to retain their key players in the longest format of the game. Three notable West Indies players - Nicholas Pooran, Jason Holder, and Kyle Mayers - chose to forgo their central contracts with the team in December 2023. Vaughan contended that the International Cricket Council should allocate funds more effectively. He emphasised the importance of adequately compensating players for participating in five-day Test matches, thereby dissuading them from opting for franchise leagues instead.

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