Alzarri Joseph Responds to Daren Sammy Comments Over Pakistan Test Series Withdrawal

West Indian fast bowler, Alzarri Joseph has responded to Darren Sammy’s statement that he had ‘declined selection’ for West Indies’ ongoing test series against Pakistan at home, saying the head coach’s words were ‘without context’ and ‘controversial.’

“We had a chat, myself and the head coach. I have also had a chat with CWI and if you realise the statement CWI released said personal reasons. Mr. Sammy, being around for a long time, he knows exactly what that statement would have done so, to be honest, I have nothing to say to Mr. Sammy in terms of statement.” Joseph said on the Antigua Observer’s Good Morning Jojo Sports show.

The West India announced the squad for the Pakistan series on Jul 23, 2026 and a CWI statement said, Alzarri Joseph had been unavailable owing to personal reasons. The very next day, Sammy, speaking at a press conference, had said, “Mr. Joseph has declined selection. That is the reality of the situation. He was selected. I mean, he is now coming back from injury. And for reasons since, he has declined the selection.”

Joseph clarified that the stress fracture on his lower back, which had forced him to sit out of the team for the West Indies’ tour of India and New Zealand before allowing him to back for the test series against Sri Lanka in June earlier this year, had made him cautious as he was out of action for almost a year.

He said, "Obviously, I have been out of the team 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 matches here, playing five back to back ODI and how my body was feeling and knew to myself, my body was not ready to go into another test series. So, the statement in itself is controversial and without context.

He also said, “I am a professional, so I am going to work. I am representing the West Indies. I am not representing Darren Sammy, so for me, I am neither here nor there in terms of 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.”

Currently, West Indies are 1-0 up in the two-match series against Pakistan with the second test slated to begin on Sunday. Their next assignment is white-ball series against India in India starting in September.