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?"