West Indian Justin Greaves, who played for Carlisle in the Cumbria League back in 2015, has made his Test debut in Australia.
The 29-year-old Barbadian scored five as the West Indies were dismissed for 188 but then had the pleasure of catching Steve Smith when he opened the Australia innings. The hosts had moved to 59-2 at the close.
Greaves, batting at six, had been caught by Marnus Labuschagne off Josh Hazlewood, as the tourists slumped to 108-6 and only recovered through the efforts of last man Shamar Joseph (36). Kirk McKenzie had top-scored with 50.
Greaves had made a big impression at Carlisle in 2015, scoring just shy of 1,000 runs and taking more than 50 wickets in the North Lancs & Cumbria League.
An outstanding all-rounder he actually scored 915 league runs at an average of 65.36 and took 55 league wickets at 11.76.
Captain at the time Marc Brown said: “He was a top order batter, a real threat with the ball and a great fielder.”
Carlisle brought him back to Edenside two years later when he hit 606 runs (average 67.33) and took 40 wickets (average 11.40).
Before he moved into senior cricket, Greaves played for West Indies at the 2012 Under-19 World Cup.
At the tournament West Indies, who finished sixth, were captained by Kraigg Brathwaite, one of a number of notable alumni from Barbados’ Combermere School.
Others include singer Rihanna, England all-rounder Chris Jordan and the West Indies’ first black captain Sir Frank Worrell.
Greaves took eight wickets in the competition, including 3-38 against England, and chipped in with 39 runs as well.
As well as playing in England with Carlisle, Greaves had also represented Sefton Park in the Liverpool and District League and also the Essex club Frinton-on-Sea.
He made his one-day international debut for the West Indies in 2022 against Ireland and has now made the transition to the full Test side.
