Shamarh Brooks

Born on October 1, 1988, in Barbados, Shamarh Shaqad Joshua Brooks is a renowned cricketer, recognized for his significant contributions to the West Indies cricket team. Hailing from Barbados, he showcases his cricket powers not only in international matches but also in domestic competitions. Brooks embarked on his noteworthy international cricket journey in August 2019, marking his debut for the West Indies. A proficient right-handed batsman, he is distinguished by his potent leg-spin bowling technique.

Early and Domestic Career

Recognized as a cricket prodigy during his youth, Shamrah Brooks earned accolades for his exceptional skills. Displaying early promise, he assumed the captaincy of the West Indies under-19 cricket team during the 2006 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. In the 2008 edition of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup, he marked his entry into first-class cricket for Barbados. However, a challenging phase in 2012, where he managed just 76 runs at an average of 8.44, led to his exclusion from the Barbados national squad. Despite continuing to play for the team for a few more years, he was unable to realize his full potential during that period.

Having sat out all the first-class cricket matches in the 2015 season, Brooks etched his name in history upon his return by achieving his maiden first-class century against the Windward Islands. Subsequently, he maintained an average of 38.63 over the following five years, massing a total of 3091 runs, including five centuries and twenty half-centuries.

To pave his way into Test cricket, Brooks initiated his journey by officiating in unofficial Test matches for West Indies A, the nation's secondary team, in 2016. His exceptional performance in the England series against India A in 2018 positioned him as the leading run-scorer in the series. Notably, he scored 91 runs in the first game and an even more remarkable 121 not out in the second. This outstanding display played a pivotal role in the success of the 2018 West Indies A series against India A.

Twenty20 Franchise Cricket

Participating as a cricketer in the Caribbean Premier League, the primary Twenty20 league in the West Indies, Brooks proved to be an asset for the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. His performance in each of the four games per season was commendable, contributing 119 runs with a striking average of 23.80 and a strike rate of 120.20.

International Career

Motivated by his notable achievements in first-class cricket, Brooks secured a position in the West Indies Test team for their series against England in January 2019, despite facing challenges that limited his playing time. Subsequently, he assumed the role of captain for West Indies A in a series against India A during July and August 2019. Due to Kraigg Brathwaite's injury, Brooks took charge as captain for the initial two unofficial Test matches, deviating from his initial plan to lead only in the third match. Displaying immediate leadership qualities, he contributed half-centuries in the first two games despite the unexpected responsibility. His outstanding performance in this role led to his re-selection in the West Indies Test team, this time for the series against India.

On August 22, 2019, Brooks made his debut in Test cricket for the West Indies against India. A significant moment unfolded in November 2019 when he achieved a noteworthy milestone by scoring 111 runs in a solitary match against Afghanistan, securing his inaugural Test century.

In June 2020, Brooks received a call-up to the West Indies Test team in anticipation of the upcoming England series. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Test series underwent rescheduling, commencing in July 2020 instead of the initially planned date in May 2020.

Brooks was picked to represent the West Indies in the One Day International (ODI) series against Pakistan in November 2021. On December 13, 2021, he participated in his maiden Twenty20 International (T20I) match for the West Indies against Pakistan. Subsequently, in December 2021, he was selected to play in the ODI series against Ireland, making his ODI debut on January 8, 2022, against Ireland while representing the West Indies.

During the third and final match of the series against the Netherlands on June 4, 2022, Brooks achieved a historic milestone by securing his first century in one-day international cricket (ODI), finishing with an unbeaten total of 101.

In December 2022, Brooks stepped in for Nkrumah Bonner as a concussion replacement on the third day of the first Test in the West Indies' tour of Australia.

Conclusion

Shamarh Brooks, the cricket talent hailing from Barbados, has traversed an impressive journey, evolving from a child prodigy to a pivotal figure in the West Indies cricket team. With significant contributions to the vibrant West Indies cricket landscape, Brooks has attained remarkable success in both Test and ODI formats.