Sammy: “Mr. Joseph has declined selection.”

West Indies Head Coach Daren Sammy hints Cricket West Indies has been presented with a dilemma after contracted fast-bowler Alzarri Joseph declined selection to be part of the squad that will contest a two-match Test series against Pakistan beginning in Tarouba on Saturday.  

In a press release confirming the team, CWI stated that Joseph “was unavailable for selection due to personal reasons.” However, Sammy has since declared that “Mr. Joseph has declined selection.”

Joseph made his debut in 2026 and is the fastest West Indian to claim 100 One-Day International wickets, getting to the milestone in 60 games. The 29-year-old has long established himself as a key member of the Caribbean side’s pace unit across all three formats. 

The Antiguan has progressed from his title as a successor in a bowling attack spearheaded by Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel, and Jason Holder to the man the current Windies pacers look to as a leader. With 130 wickets in 42 Test matches, Sammy describes Joseph’s absence as a “big loss.”

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Sammy should let this matter be dealt with internally.

Why is he bent on disparaging the guy publicly? Personal reasons are just that ....

@Kay

OK. But what does he say when asked why Alzarri was not selected. I hardly think there is anyone who would not expect him to be in the squad.

@spider

"That is a decision that is way over my head," Sammy said. "I leave that with the directors to come up with whatever solutions where contracted players get to decline selection."

This is not the normal "personal reasons" situation. Why would he say this. A simple personal reasons would suffice.

@voiceofreason

What a dilemma for you eh?

@imusic

It's a dilemma for West Indies cricket as this is the first time Alzarri has declined selection. Something is wrong here. He is also not playing elsewhere so it's not that.