CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand – Reflections during morning devotions at Holmwood Technical High School in Jamaica and listening to a radio advert with Courtney Walsh, created the inspired pathway for West Indies’ newest fast bowling prospect Ojay Shields.
The 29-year-old made his first-class debut for Jamaica in 2023, five years after his List A debut for the Combined Campuses and Colleges team. However, it was only six months ago that he potentially gave up on his childhood dream.
From a small cricket district of Craighead in the parish of Manchester in Jamaica, the burly fast bowler recalls the enthusiasm and passion created in his community by a West Indies victory or thrilling, hard-fought performance.
This feeling ignited an interest, but it was seeing the likes of Jermaine Blackwood and John Campbell being recognized at school devotions for their contributions in youth cricket that fuelled Shields’ aspirations of one day donning the maroon colours.
“Playing our high school competition, the Headley Cup and seeing how the players, especially the ones who represented Jamaica carried themselves, it gave me inspiration because they were role models who brought joy to the school.”
However, Shield’s journey did not mirror the typical progression from youth cricket to the senior level.
“I went to under 19 trials in 2013 and 2014, but I wasn’t successful. It was mentally challenging seeing that I didn’t get to play any youth cricket, which left me on the back foot. However, I always had a strong work ethic which forced me to become better.” Shields said.
“I didn’t have that much pace when I was in high school. They used to call me Puss (cat) tail. You know a “Puss tail” would swing a lot? So yeah, I was only swinging the ball, but I went to the gym, got stronger and pushed myself to the limit to bowl faster.”
The right arm pacer was granted a scholarship to attend GC Foster College, School of Physical Education and Sport, which opened the door for him to complete his degree.
It also paved the way for cricket opportunities, including a trial match for the Combined Campuses and Colleges team at Melbourne Oval, the home of his hero Courtney Walsh in 2018.
Shields impressed and was rewarded with a debut outing that year, but it took five years (2023) for him to get the chance to represent Jamaica. Two seasons in, he had a selfless thought of giving up his quest to play for the West Indies.
“About six months ago, I was actually thinking about giving up because with age coming on, I really thought I would not get the opportunity to play for the West Indies.” Shields shared.
“So, I didn’t think it was necessary to be fighting for a spot for the Jamaica Scorpions without any hopes of going any further.”
However, that thought quickly disappeared when he received a timely call from West Indies Head Coach Daren Sammy.
Shields recalled: “After training one day I went to the gym, so I was a little tired after getting home and I fell asleep when I heard the phone ringing. Picked it up and it was the head coach Daren Sammy.”
“He said, Mr Shields, I read a lot about you and I’m looking forward to working with you. But as you know it is protocol that we must ask if you accept. From the time I heard him say “he must ask if I accept”, I immediately said “Yeah!”
With the childhood dream of becoming a test cricketer inching closer to reality, Shields was struck by the overwhelming emotion of potentially achieving his long-term ambition of being an inspiration to emerging student athletes across the Caribbean.
A teacher at Enid Bennett High School, he believes in creating a balance between sports and academics, which is reflected in his simple mantra, “The art of living lies in balancing the acts of life.”
Shields stated that there are times when the patience and experience of intense battles on the cricket field help to re-establish calmness in the classroom.
“Sometimes there are, for the lack of a better word, bad-behaved students, that can really irritate you. At those times it’s easy to for me to think that it would be better for me to be on a cricket field.”
“However, I’m quickly reminded that the journey of education and development of very much like test cricket, requiring patience and persistence. So, knowing that many of them don’t come from the best of backgrounds, I try my best to ensure they feel like someone is there for them.”
From military medium to speeds which challenge the technique and footwork of batters, the Jamaican pacer is ready to be a difference maker characterized by hard work and determination with the continued push towards excellence, as he awaits with bated breath the chance to wear the prestigious maroon cap.
This article was written by Jerome Foster, Content and Media Officer assigned to the West Indies Men’s Senior Team (Windiescricket)
