Alzarri Joseph: Darren Sammy’s comments on my Test unavailability ‘controversial, without context’

Darren Sammy’s comments on Alzarri Joseph’s unavailability for the first Test against Pakistan were “controversial, without context”, the West Indies fast bowler said, clarifying his position.

West Indies head coach Sammy, when asked about why Joseph wasn’t part of the two-match series, had said that the pacer had “declined” the selection and that his decision was “over” his head.

“Yeah, it is a big loss. Joseph has declined selection. That’s the reality of the situation,” Sammy had said at a press interaction ahead of the series opener.

“He was selected. I mean, he’s now coming back from injury. And for reasons since, he has declined the selection. That is a decision that is way over my head. I leave that with the directors to come up with whatever solutions where contracted players get to decline selection.”

However, Joseph said he had spoken to Sammy earlier, and the coach was aware of his fitness issues going into the series.

“We had a chat, me and the head coach. I’ve also had a chat with CWI (Cricket West Indies). 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.

Joseph has been recovering from a stress fracture in his lower back because of which he was out of action for almost a year, missing Test series against India and New Zealand last year. He returned in June earlier this year to play two Tests against Sri Lanka.

“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.

“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.”

Despite the issue, Joseph said that he wouldn’t have any problem working with Sammy going forward.

“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.”

West Indies won the first Test by 90 runs and travels to Port of Spain for the final game with a 1-0 lead.

Published on Aug 01, 2026