West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has revealed that fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has declined selection for the upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan. Addressing the media, Sammy acknowledged the significant setback, stating that while Joseph had been selected, he ultimately chose not to participate. The coach noted that the reasons behind this decision were beyond his purview, leaving the matter for directors to address regarding how contracted players are managed when they decline selection.
Although the official press release initially attributed Joseph's absence to personal reasons, the 29-year-old’s status has been a point of interest following his recent recovery from a lower back injury. That injury had previously forced him to miss tours in India and New Zealand. Joseph had successfully returned to the squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka, where he claimed six wickets across two matches, and subsequently participated in the five-match ODI series against New Zealand before withdrawing from the Pakistan tour.
Despite losing a key pace option, Sammy expressed confidence in the team's prospects against Pakistan. That's the reality of the situation. He emphasized that the current bowling unit possesses the capability to take 20 wickets, a fundamental requirement for winning Test matches. "That's the first start to winning Test matches." Reflecting on recent performances, Sammy pointed to the consistency displayed against Australia and New Zealand, as well as the progress shown by the batters during the Sri Lanka series. Looking at the world rankings, we're probably four or five points behind getting into the top six of the table, and the coach remains focused on the squad's collective effort and individual roles in achieving their upcoming goals.
"Yeah, it is a big loss," Sammy said in a media interaction.
You know, much more consistency coming through.
