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?