Things you dream of as a cricketer - playing for your country, winning World Cups and earning the praise of your heroes. Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph ticked all those boxes before he was 20. He was an Under-19 champion in 2016. Andy Roberts loved his pace, Ian Bishop wanted him to be fast-tracked to Test cricket and Curtly Ambrose said, "I am Antiguan, you're Antiguan and I am proud."

Joseph's career began in his backyard, bowling to his father Alva. Soon enough, he was playing for his old man's old club. He broke into the age-group teams for Antigua and Leeward Islands, and in 2014-15, graduated to playing first-class cricket. He took 7 for 46 against Windward Islands in November 2015.

Joseph was coached by former West Indies paceman Winston Benjamin and considers Dale Steyn his hero. He was among the top five bowlers in the 2016 U-19 World Cup, with at an average of 13.76 and economy rate of 3.31. He recorded the fastest ball of the tournament too - a 143 kph thunderbolt, which broke Zimbabwe batsman Brendan Sly's stumps.
ESPNcricinfo staff