Alzarri Joseph criticises Daren Sammy over ‘declined selection’ comments for Pakistan Tests

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Alzarri Joseph has said Daren Sammy’s remarks about him “declining selection” for West Indies’ ongoing Test series against Pakistan were “controversial, without context”, arguing that the head coach’s comments created an unfair public narrative around his absence.

When Cricket West Indies announced the squad, the media release said Joseph was unavailable due to “personal reasons”. Sammy later told reporters that the fast bowler had “declined selection,” adding that he had been picked after returning from injury but had opted out of the series. Joseph clarified that he had discussed not playing in the Pakistan series with both Sammy and CWI.

Speaking on the Good Morning Jojo Sports Show on Antigua Observer, Joseph said Sammy knew the implications of framing it that way.

“We had a chat, myself and the head coach,” Sammy said. “I’ve also had a chat with CWI and if you realise the statement CWI released said personal reasons. Mr Sammy, being around for a long time, he knows exactly what that statement would have done. So to be honest, I have nothing to say to Mr Sammy in terms of his statement. Like I said, he knows exactly what that statement would have done and the narrative it would have pushed in the public.”

Joseph revealed that workload management after his return from injury was central to the decision. Having missed the tours of India and New Zealand with his second stress fracture before returning for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, he also played all five ODIs against New Zealand earlier this month.

“Obviously, I’ve been out for an entire year. I haven’t played at international intensity for so long after having a second stress fracture. We spoke about me playing the two Test matches here, playing five back-to-back ODIs and how my body was feeling and I knew to myself, my body was not ready to go into another Test series. So the statement in itself is controversial, without context.”

Asked whether the episode had strained his relationship with Sammy, Joseph insisted it would not affect his professionalism.

“I’m a professional, so I’m going to go to work,” Joseph said. “I am representing the West Indies… I’m not representing Daren Sammy. So for me, I’m neither here nor there in terms of a relationship. I don’t go there to make friends. I go there to work and do a job and represent the people of the West Indies.”