"We Had A Chat"- Alzarri Joseph Omission Sparks Fresh Rift Rumours in West Indies Camp

West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph's omission from the Test side for the ongoing clash against Pakistan has raised fresh questions over his relationship with the team's cricket board, fuelling speculation of a rift behind the scenes. The rumours came up after Joseph responded to head coach Daren Sammy's comments regarding his absence from the home Test series.

When Cricket West Indies announced the squad for the two-match series, the board stated that Joseph would miss the matches due to personal reasons. However, Sammy later told reporters that the pacer had been selected but chose not to accept the call-up, saying Joseph had "declined selection."

Joseph responded to Sammy's accusations of 'declined selection' on the Antigua Observer's Good Morning Jojo Sports Show and claimed that the remark was blown out of proportion by the head coach. He also stated that it was an unnecessary perception created by the board questioning his 'commitment' to the team.

"We had a chat, myself and the head coach. I've 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 his statement," Joseph said.

"As I said, he knows exactly what that statement would have done and the narrative it would have pushed in the public. Obviously, I've been out for an entire year. I haven't played at international intensity for so long after having a second stress fracture," Joseph added.

Why Did Alzarri Joseph Choose To Sit Out Of Pakistan Series?

Joseph also clarified his decision not to take part in the Pakistan series. According to him, he chose to sit on the sidelines not voluntarily but due to concerns about his physical condition, which did not permit him to bowl lengthy overs, especially at a time when he had just returned from an injury layoff.

"We spoke about me playing the two Test matches here, playing five back-to-back ODIs [against New Zealand earlier this month], and how my body was feeling, and I knew to myself, my body was not ready to go into another Test series. So, the statement in itself is controversial, without context," he said.

Joseph endured nearly a year away from the game after suffering a second stress fracture in his lower back. The injury forced him to miss West Indies' tours of India and New Zealand before he finally made his return to international cricket in the Test series against Sri Lanka earlier this year.