Alzarri Joseph has publicly addressed comments made by West Indies head coach Daren Sammy regarding his absence from the current two-Test series against Pakistan. Joseph characterized Sammy's assertion that he had declined selection as "controversial, without context," noting that the coach was well aware of the narrative such remarks would generate. According to Joseph, he had previously discussed his situation with both the head coach and Cricket West Indies (CWI), which had officially cited "personal reasons" for his unavailability.
The tension surfaced following a press conference on July 24, where Sammy stated that Joseph had declined the selection despite being picked for the squad. This followed a CWI announcement on July 23 that confirmed Joseph would miss the series. Joseph expressed his frustration during an appearance on the Antigua Observer's Good Morning Jojo Sports Show, stating that Sammy, as an experienced figure, understood the implications of his public statement. History shows the weight of such selections, much like the historic West Indies v South Africa 2nd Test at Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad, held from 17-21 March 2001.
The fast bowler explained that his decision was rooted in physical recovery rather than a refusal to play. Joseph, who had been out of action for nearly a year due to a second stress fracture in his lower back, felt his body was not prepared for the rigors of another Test series. He pointed to his recent workload, which included two Test matches against Sri Lanka in June and five consecutive ODIs against New Zealand, as factors that led him to prioritize his fitness. He emphasized that he had spoken with the team management about how his body was feeling.
When asked about the future of his working relationship with the head coach, Joseph maintained a professional stance. He asserted that his primary commitment is to the West Indies team and its supporters, not to any individual. He stated that he is a professional who goes to work to perform his duties, and he does not prioritize making friends in the team environment. West Indies currently leads the two-match series against Pakistan 1-0, with the second Test scheduled to begin on Sunday. The team’s next international commitment is a limited-overs series in India, set for September and October.
Would Sammy's statement, and Joseph's rebuttal, make it tough for the two of them to work together going forward?
Alzarri Joseph player page headshot cutout, 2021
