From a village accessible only by boat to conquering Brisbane: the story of Shamar Joseph
Shamar Joseph's performance in his first Test series, that too against Australia in their den, is a remarkable feat even if his life story has not been taken into account.
But given the events of the last 24 years of the life of this West Indian sensation from Guyana, his achievements seem more than unlikely.
It's the kind of rags-to-riches story that might have gotten a movie studio laughed out of it for being too ridiculous; but luckily for Shamar Joseph and cricket fans everywhere, it's all true.
Shamar is from Baracara, a remote village in eastern Guyana.
In the 21st century, a remote village might simply mean a place that is difficult to access, at best a day's journey from the nearest international airport.
First established as a maroon community – which are historical community that was formed in the Americas and islands of the Indian Ocean by Africans who managed to escape from slavery – Baracara today is a place that relies on agriculture and logging to support its inhabitants.
From there, Shamar's sprint to the top of his mark at the Gabba in Brisbane – where the 24-year-old has taken a heroic 7-wicket haul in under 12 overs on Sunday to give his side a first Test win in 27 years in Australia – has happened in the blink of an eye.