Joseph: “I don’t go there to make friends”

West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has responded to comments made by Daren Sammy that he “declined selection” for the ongoing Test series against Pakistan, saying the coach’s statement was “controversial” and “without context.”

In a press release confirming the team ahead of the series, CWI stated that Joseph was “unavailable for selection due to personal reasons.” However, when addressing the Antiguan’s absence, Sammy declared, “Mr. Joseph has declined selection.”

Joseph, in the meantime, now says he had conversations with both Cricket West Indies and Sammy while deciding on his unavailability.

“We had a chat, I and the head coach. I’ve also had a chat with CWI, and if you realize the statement CWI released said ‘personal reasons'," Joseph began to explain on the Good Morning Jojo Sport Show earlier this week.

“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 my body was not ready to go into another Test series. So, the statement in itself is controversial, without context,” he expounded.

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........Voicey

“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.”

VOR.... any comment?😎

@sgtdjones

Voicy go stay away from this one!😂

that was a very immature statement from alzharri

I am not taking sides on this..but this whole concept about 'I am not there to make friends' is misguided at best. It is VERY dated thinking in a team environment. Not much different compared to bossing people as opposed to leading them. There is a whole ton of research out there re the impact of good team dynamics being a significant part of success. There are outliers though...MJ was not the kidn of guy to care much about his teammates' feelings during his playing career as he was focused on winning at all costs...but he was/ is the arguably the GOAT. Chalk and cheese.

That said...I don't know the facts..but I do wish this hasn't gotten to this public fight. I know enough to know...that every story has three sides .....

@Cheeks

Not sure that is true actually, great team spirit is built around a shared goal, fairness, wanting to be part of a winning team and loyalty to the cause.

Friendship is generally where people with shared personalities and status in society merge.

I fully back Aljo on this one, I have a feeling he is being victimized due to his previous huge loyalty. Seeing it happen a lot in life unfortunately.

@Conorboy

'Friendship' is not needed, but to be fair I read between the lines as people do not normally refer to normal friendships when they use the expression...it has historically been used as a F U. ..ie I don't give a crap about how you feel

Sadly, some of that has been on display on camera with Alzarri. Mind you, bowlers rightfully get upset when catches are dropped off their bowling ...and some level of passion indicates that you actually give a sh1t. That is why I say ...with out the full story its hard to judge, Because I have also seen Sammy clash with other players too.

Management clashes with talented staff is par for the course in all organizations...but its never good when it spills into the public.

My view on the debacle:

Sammy should NOT have responded as he did regarding the Alzarri Joseph ommission. Especially given there had been discussion on management of his reintroduction into cricket.

It also tells me that there exist some ball feelings between the two that has not been managed properly. Who is responsible, the individuals involved or CWI? This here, is the genesis for what obviously has turned out to be bad for synergies with the current setup.

Now it is up to CWI to do a repair job where noone is be left aggrieved and can WI can get back to the upward trajectory that we think we are seeing.

Alzarri did not help the matter, with Sammy's missteps in his responses via social and electronic media. Again the bad blood is evident.

It brings to light another important issue that I've heard time and again mentioned, regarding the ineptitude and deficiency in CWI media relations, protocol and training of personel including management and players.

May this be the opportunity we grab to fix these glaring issues

Firstly it must be remembered that Aljo has been over the last 10 years one of the most loyal players we have regarding test cricket, secondly he has maintained a great level of fitness over these years which cannot be said for all of our players.

Aljo says he is not there to make friends and I see that as maybe a hint at the type 1of coach Sammy is where he puts more credence on personal loyalty over dedication and results.

Sammy said in his interview before the test against Pakistan that he did not see " on the field" results as a measure of success, one of the measures of success he saw as more important was when a player comes to him and thanks him for improving his game.

Think we should all take that thought in for a minute, this makes it all about him, almost says to players, results are not as important as you telling me how great I am.

I think this attitude frustrates Aljo and I don't blame him at all for his current frustrations.

@Conorboy

Could you please post any link to support what you said above

@sudden

Most of what I refer to are my thoughts however the Sammy interview was on TNT sports.

Ok no problem

@Conorboy

Not picking sides but apart from Aljo’s health issues, he might be also frustrated because by now he should have been made at least vice-captain of the team, based on his tremendous ability with both bat and ball and his significant contributions to West Indies cricket. Now apparently West Indies captaincy or even vice captaincy can only be from a certain island but that’s a discussion for another day.😀

@InHindsight

Now it is up to CWI to do a repair job where noone is be left aggrieved and can WI can get back to the upward trajectory that we think we are seeing.

Alzarri did not help the matter, with Sammy's missteps in his responses via social and electronic media. Again the bad blood is evident.

It brings to light another important issue that I've heard time and again mentioned, regarding the ineptitude and deficiency in CWI media relations, protocol and training of personel including management and players.

So Sammy fucks up and it’s CWI’s fault and they have to fix Sammy’s bad mindedness?

Jeezas

@imusic

What really is the big deal,though?

The player declines selection

His reasons are valid

CWI highlighted that it was for personal reasons

Where is the controversy?

Declining selection is a statement of fact

What did Sammy say wrong?

I have no problem with the player needing additional time to rest

I didn't see any statement by the coach or CWI suggesting that the player did anything wrong.

Why can't we just play cricket without all this unnecessary drama

@Cuter

You wilfully ignore Sammy throwing Alzari under the bus with his statement. Not JUST the “decline selection” part, but also the part about contracted players declining selection……not to mention the passive aggressive reference to “Mister Joseph”.

The resulting backlash on Alzari was immediate from W.I. fans and Sammy knew exactly what he was doing when he said what he said and how he framed it. The lack of any context was deliberate.

After waiting some time before responding, including ZERO response from CWI to Sammy’s statement, good on Alzari for providing said context and defending himself in the process.

If those in authority refused to provide the context in which his decision was made, he made sure he provided it.

Unless Alzari is lying, it is instructive that he maintained that Sammy was involved in discussions regarding his return to play protocol, including missing this series. That Sammy STILL WENT AHEAD and selected him contrary to those discussions is telling. And CWI’s silence means they’re complicit.

@imusic

I take your point; however many West Indian players have refused selection for personal reasons without controversy

Why is this one different?

I've been around bro. This is the norm

@Cuter

What's different? Who is (notice I did not say ARE) selector, coach, Chief and bottle-washer? CWI ignored the mantra "power corrupts..."

@Cuter

however many West Indian players have refused selection for personal reasons without controversy 

Why is this one different?

I've been around bro. This is the norm

I agree other players have previously refused selection.

To the best of my recollection, this is the first time the coach has thrown the player under the bus with the WI public for refusing selection, especially given the absence of any context that was subsequently provided.

@imusic

To the best of my recollection, this is the first time the coach has thrown the player under the bus with the WI public for refusing selection,

That's where I disagree with you

The coach only said the player declined selection, which is common. He did not go into detail. He left it for CWI.

CWI highlighted that the player declined selection for personal reasons, which is also normal.

I'm yet to see the controversy of the coach throwing the player under the bus.

@Cuter

I'm yet to see the controversy of the coach throwing the player under the bus.

Precisely why I said you “wilfully ignore” Sammy’s passive aggression with his statement.

Do you disagree that Alzari faced immediate backlash from the public right after Sammy’s statement?

Sammy lit the flame……doh bawl now and claim innocence if he get scald in the process

The entire controversy.... Dummy created....As head coach cum sole selector....he should have discussed with the player concerned....if any dissatisfaction... convey to the board... instead...in press conference...he said, it's Director of cricket to see, how a contracted player refused selection...

Once in public domain....player is within his right to defend his decision...

CWI should issue a press release...to diffuse the situation... control the damage...

If the English head coach(or possibly any coach)in similar circumstances had made such a comment as what Sammy made his position would be almost untenable....with the only saving grace being how well the team was doing presently ...of course CWI has a much higher level of tolerance for various reasons....now we know the egomaniac that is Darren Sammy is not media savvy hence what he said was clumsy at best an malicious at worse an he should be made to apologise cause going forward he's absolutely more dispensable than Alzarri although he (Alzarri) is not blameless with his subsequent comments but was forced to defend himself.

@CCW

Darren Sammy is not media savvy hence what he said was clumsy at best an malicious at worse an he should be made to apologise cause going forward he's absolutely more dispensable than Alzarri

I highly doubt THIS CWI Administration sees Sammy as more dispensable than ANY player.

They have invested heavily in Sammy, giving him unprecedented and hitherto unfettered power in the process.

Mr. Sammy knew exactly what he was doing with that statement. Every West Indian cricket fan knows that Alzarri Joseph has somewhat of a reputation with some past antics. So Sammy knows it would be quick judgement against Joseph in the court of public opinions, diliberately leaving out some vital information.

They need to fix this ASAP!!

I see and feel some positives coming for West Indies cricket.

Not the time for these Inflammatory remarks, first one way, then the reciprocal.

Not now, when West Indies is on the UP!

@Bamboocane

I feel so too

I feel Sammy wanted Joseph to play, Joseph and Sammy knew about his back-to-work protocol and that the Pak Tests weren't included in it. Alzarri pulled his trump card of the work protocol, and most likely contacted the director of cricket, why Sammy referred to such.

So he kind of called out Joseph without telling the full story. Now he sour a pretty good summer of cricket. I hope the team can put this behind them quickly enough and both could apologise, can be behind doors or publicly and move past this.

I know some persons pointed out look Joseph turned up for the Falcons practice sessions. But those like the PAK series had to be approved as part of his workload and protocol, or CWI could easily pointed out that Jposeph was acting out of contract. But they haven't said such...

@positiveg

I feel Sammy wanted Joseph to play, Joseph and Sammy knew about his back-to-work protocol and that the Pak Tests weren't included in it. Alzarri pulled his trump card of the work protocol, and most likely contacted the director of cricket, why Sammy referred to such.

So he kind of called out Joseph without telling the full story. 

Joseph was fit to play in the last Test

Joseph thought his body could not take the Tour of Pakistan

Are we assuming that just because a contracted player who is not injured and declining selection, the coach would not want him under a training program in the team set-up?

Was there ever a posibility joseph could have played the second Test?

Isn't this player an integral part of the team setup?

This is such a fake controversy

We are too quick to believe everything a player says

Did Joseph disclose the conversation he had with the coach?

Could it be that the coach requested a compromise with the contracted player and the player refused?

There is a lot more that can be said on this issue

But I think the coach should just let it go and focus on the cricket.

CWI has a board of selectors and a well-paid communication team. Let them deal with it

@Cuter

RU sure they currently have a "board of selectors?"

@Brerzerk

I'm sure there is something 😎

Sammy was downright dishonest in how he explainded Joseph's absence it was a caulculated slur on the character of the player .

Frankly i am not surprised he is showing with each step how big is ego is

Joseph is saying I am not here to suck up to Sammy i am there to play cricket

@ponderiver

Sammy has always been like that. I remember in England he followed Gibson's/CWI's line on Gayle. "He knows what he has to do (to get back in the team I.e. bow). But after Mikey/Gonsalves brokered an agreement he joined CWI's chorus " Chris brings immesureable value to the team, blablablah" The man up to the last minute promised his union he'd attend their banquet then turned off his phone when he was to be picked up. I do an like " back n belly rat" double-crosser of those who built your success

@Brerzerk

The man up to the last minute promised his union he'd attend their banquet then turned off his phone when he was to be picked up. I do an like " back n belly rat" double-crosser of those who built your success

Some here conveniently develop Alzheimer’s regarding that issue. That is exactly who he is.