After his sledge on Shamar Joseph went awry on the opening day of the first Test, former Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy has backtracked on his comments. Healy thought that the West Indies pacer was making fun of the 19-year-old after taking issue with Shamar's remarks that brought up Australian opener Sam Konstas.
After Shamar's Gabba performance, in which he shook the Australians with a seven-wicket haul and led the West Indies to a historic victory, the former wicketkeeper said that Shamar had been below standard. Shamar was no Curtly Ambrose; Healy concluded his remark.
“He’s had a terrible year since he went through us at the Gabba. Shamar has come out today and said,’ Just look out and watch what is coming. ’ OK Shamar, well, you’ve delivered crap all year. He’d better improve, that’s what I’m saying in the dressing room. He’s got real trouble. You’re not Curtly Ambrose, champ,” Healy had said on SENQ Breakfast.
But Shamar took four wickets, including Konstas, to bowl Australia out for 180, leaving Healy looking foolish.
In response to his remarks on Shamar, Healy said they were misconstrued and called sledging. According to the former wicketkeeper, he was expressing what the Australian team may think of Shamar.
Healy did make a playful jab at Shamar and his jewelry as he concluded his statement.
“Yesterday, when I talked about backing up Sam Konstas when an opponent sledges him, I sort of talked about what the dressing room might say – is that the context, do you reckon, that I was talking about?
Do you believe I was talking about what the dressing room might say to Konstas, or was it me saying something against Shamar Joseph? Geez, they’ve come out at me, haven’t they! They’ve said, ‘Oh no, I’ve sledged Shamar!’ Apparently, it’s saying I’ve had a personal dig at Shamar.
He’s bowled beautifully again today, and it’s not easy with so much gold around your neck!” Healy asked co-host, NRL great Corey Parker.
Healy has previously found himself saying something like this. He claimed in 2017 that Virat Kohli's aggressiveness during an India vs. Australia Test match was making him lose respect.
