West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has criticized head coach Daren Sammy over remarks on his inclusion in the squad for the Test series against Pakistan.
Joseph was not included in the squad for the Test series against Pakistan.
On his omission, Cricket West Indies (CWI) released a statement, noting that Joseph was unavailable for personal reasons. Later, head coach Darren Sammy said the pacer had declined selection.
Speaking to a Caribbean news outlet, Joseph responded to Darren Sammy’s statement.
“We had a chat, myself and the head coach. 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,” Joseph said.
“Like I said, he knows exactly what that statement would have done and the narrative it would have pushed in the public,” he added.
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The 29-year-old highlighted the back injury that ruled him out for 12 months.
“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,” Joseph said.
He described Sammy’s remarks as controversial, insisting that his body was not ready for the demands of a longer format.
“We spoke about me playing the two Test matches here, playing five back-to-back ODIs [against New Zealand earlier this month] 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,” he continued.
Despite Sammy’s remarks, the right-arm pacer said his focus remained on representing the West Indies.
“I’m a professional, so I’m going to go to work. 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,” Joseph said.
“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,” he concluded.
West Indies lead two-match series 1-0. A victory in the second Test would give West Indies their first Test series win over Pakistan since 2000.
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