In response to Daren Sammy’s claim that he had “declined selection” for the West Indies’ current home Test series against Pakistan, Alzarri Joseph called the head coach’s remarks “controversial, without context. “The head coach and I had a conversation. I spoke with CWI as well, and as you can see, they released the statement for private reasons.
“To be honest, I have nothing to say to Mr. Sammy regarding his statement because he has been around for a long time and knows exactly what that statement would have done,” Joseph stated on the Good Morning Jojo Sports Show of the Antigua Observer. “He is fully aware of the impact that comment would have had and the public narrative it would have promoted, as I mentioned before.
According to a CWI release, Joseph was unavailable due to “personal reasons” when the series team was revealed on July 23. Speaking during a press conference the following day, Sammy declared, “Mr. Joseph has declined selection.” That is the situation as it actually is. He was chosen. He is, after all, recovering from an injury.
He has now declined the selection for several reasons. I’m heading to work because I’m a professional. The West Indies are represented by me. In terms of a relationship, I’m neither here nor there because I’m not representing Daren Sammy.
Alzarri Joseph Joseph explained that he was careful because of the stress fracture in his lower back, which prevented him from travelling to New Zealand and India before enabling him to return for the Test matches against Sri Lanka in June of this year. For about a year, he was inactive. I’ve been out for a full year, of course.
After suffering a second stress fracture, I haven’t played at an international level in a long time,” Alzarri Joseph remarked.
“We talked about how my body was feeling after playing two Test matches here and five consecutive ODIs [against New Zealand earlier this month], and I understood that my body wasn’t prepared to play in another Test series. Therefore, without context, the statement is contentious on its own.
Would Alzarri Joseph reaction and Sammy’s declaration make it difficult for them to collaborate in the future? I’m heading to work because I’m a professional. The West Indies are represented by me. Alzarri Joseph stated, “I’m neither here nor there in terms of a relationship since I’m not representing Daren Sammy. “I don’t go there to meet new people. I go there to work, perform my duties, and speak for the West Indies’ people.”
In their two-match Test series against Pakistan, the West Indies are ahead 1-0. The second Test will begin on Sunday. In September and October, they will play a limited-overs series in India.
