Former Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy has responded to his sledge against Shamar Joseph after it went wrong on Day 1 of the first Test. Healy had taken offense to the comments made by Shamar to recalled Aussie opener Sam Konstas and felt that the West Indies pacer was picking on the 19-year-old.
The former wicketkeeper said that Shamar had been sub-par after his Gabba performance, where he rocked the Aussies with a seven-wicket haul and guided West Indies to a famous win. Healy ended his comment by saying that Shamar was no Curtly Ambrose.
“He’s had a terrible year since he went through us at the Gabba,” Healy said on SENQ Breakfast.
“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.”
However, Healy was left with egg on his face as Shamar picked up four wickets, including Konstas to bundle Australia out for 180.
‘Sort of talked about what the dressing room might say’
Healy commented on his comments on Shamar and said they were taken out of context and labelled as sledging. The former wicketkeeper said that he was saying what the Australian dressing room might say about Shamar.
Healy did end his response with a cheeky dig on Shamar and the jewellery he was wearing.
“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?” Healy asked co-host, NRL great Corey Parker.
“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!”
This isn’t the first time Healy has found himself making such comments. In 2017, he said that he was losing respect towards Virat Kohli for his aggression during a Test match between India and Australia.
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