In a dramatic turn of events during the climactic third One Day International (ODI) against England, West Indies white-ball coach Darren Sammy has expressed his strong disapproval towards fast bowler Alzarri Joseph’s on-field antics. Despite Joseph’s impressive tally of two wickets, his demeanor sparked controversy, overshadowing the West Indies’ emphatic series-clinching victory by eight wickets, which secured a 2-1 triumph overall.
Set against the backdrop of Kensington Oval in Barbados, the match was highlighted by an extraordinary second-wicket partnership of 209 runs between Kaecy Carty, who remained resolute at 128 runs not out, and Brandon King, contributing a steady 102. Their phenomenal performance propelled the West Indies past England’s target of 263 runs in just 50 overs.
Yet, the spotlight quickly shifted from the match-winning duo to Joseph’s perplexing behavior during the fourth over of England’s innings. Frustration bubbled over regarding a fielding arrangement, leading to a conspicuous spat with captain Shai Hope. After skillfully dismissing Jordan Cox caught behind on the fourth delivery, Joseph dismissed his teammates’ celebrations, returning to his mark with an air of unresolved tension. His abrupt exit from the field at the over’s conclusion not only left tension palpable but also compelled the West Indies to commence the fifth over a player short.
In an aftermath brimming with controversies, Sammy candidly addressed the issue during a TalkSPORT interview. His words pierced through the ambiance of camaraderie, branding such behavior as “unacceptable.”
“Behavior like that is unacceptable on my cricket field,” he asserted. “We will be friends… but in the culture I’m trying to build, that’s unacceptable. We will definitely have a chat about that.”
Though Joseph rejoined his teammates for the sixth over, he didn’t resume bowling until the 12th. His performance took a backseat as he made two critical misfields, culminating in overthrows that gifted England valuable runs. Even as he bowled a handful of overs later in the match, he concluded with figures of 2 for 45 from his 10 overs, having added Dan Mousley to his list of scalps.
Sammy, who stepped into the role of head coach in May 2023, is well-regarded for his exceptional man-management skills. His ability to attract renowned players like Andre Russell and Evin Lewis back to the international fold speaks volumes of his leadership acumen. With a resolute focus on cultivating a robust team culture, Sammy underscored his commitment to navigating challenges with a constructive approach.
“I pride myself on having the difficult conversations,” he admitted. “But in a way that everybody understands what needs to be done. To see guys going out there and slowly progressing in the right direction makes me proud. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but it’s one that I’m quite passionate about.”
As the West Indies gear up for a five-match T20 series against England, whispers of the potential return of seasoned players Nicholas Pooran and Akeal Hosein—absentees during the recent series against Sri Lanka—are circulating.
“We’ve got a couple of senior players who were not in Sri Lanka that we expect to be back,” Sammy revealed, hinting at a strategy to reinforce the squad. “Our T20 team is our most successful team and our most settled team. So, yes, we incorporate some new guys to give them that exposure, but our T20 team normally picks itself.”
With Sammy’s gaze set firmly on establishing a resilient and disciplined squad, the emphasis on maintaining a gold standard of on-field behavior will undoubtedly be pivotal as the team ventures forth into upcoming challenges across both formats.
