Alzarri Joseph has hit back at West Indies head coach Daren Sammy after he accused the fast bowler of declining selection for the ongoing two-match Test series against Pakistan. Joseph, who played both Tests for the Caribbean side in their home series against Sri Lanka in June-July 2026, described the head coach’s comments as “controversial, without context.”
“We had a chat, myself and the head coach. I’ve also had a chat with Cricket West Indies (CWI), and if you realise, the statement CWI released said ‘personal reasons’. Mr Sammy, being around for a long time, 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 on the Antigua Observer’s Good Morning Jojo Sports Show.
“Like I said, he knows exactly what that statement would have done and the narrative it would have pushed in the public,” he added.
When CWI announced the West Indies squad for the home series against Pakistan on July 23, they stated that Joseph was unavailable for selection due to personal reasons. However, a day later, Sammy said at a press conference that Joseph had declined selection.
“Joseph has declined selection. That’s the reality of the situation. He was selected. I mean, he’s now coming from injury, and for reasons since, he has declined the selection,” Sammy had said.
According to Joseph, the stress fracture he suffered in his lower back last year has made him cautious, which is why he decided not to feature against Pakistan.
