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In a dramatic turn of events during the third ODI against England, West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has been handed a two-match suspension for his unsanctioned departure from the field. This incident unfolded after a heated disagreement with captain Shai Hope. Joseph’s actions not only disrupted the match but also raised questions about a player’s conduct and team dynamics.
Alzarri Joseph’s actions that shook the West Indies team
The controversy erupted in the fourth over of the innings at Bridgetown when Joseph expressed his dissatisfaction with Hope’s field placement. Following a caught behind dismissal of Jordan Cox, Joseph notably refrained from celebrating with his teammates. Instead, he returned to his mark and, after the over concluded, left the field without notifying anyone, forcing West Indies to play the next over with only ten players. This unsanctioned exit drew immediate criticism from West Indies’ head coach Daren Sammy, who emphasized that such behaviour is unacceptable in the culture he is striving to foster within the team.
“Behaviour like that is unacceptable on my cricket field,” West Indies head coach said to TalkSPORT after the game.
Joseph later returned to bowl but struggled to regain his composure, leaving the field again after two misfields contributed to England’s score. Despite finishing with respectable figures of 2 for 45, his performance was overshadowed by his earlier actions, which were deemed inconsistent with the values upheld by Cricket West Indies (CWI).
Also WATCH: Alzarri Joseph leaves field in anger after disagreement with captain Shai Hope in 3rd ODI – WI vs ENG
Joseph’s acknowledgment and apology
In the aftermath of this incident, Joseph publicly acknowledged his mistake, stating that “my passion got the best of me.” He expressed regret for any disappointment caused to fans and reiterated his apologies to Hope and his teammates. His statement reflects an understanding of the broader implications of his actions on team morale and public perception.
“I recognize that my passion got the best of me, I have personally apologized to captain Shai Hope and my teammates and management. I also extend my sincerest apologies to the West Indies fans — understand that even a brief lapse in judgment can have a far-reaching impact, and I deeply regret any disappointment caused,” Joseph stated in the CWI statement.
CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe reinforced this sentiment, asserting that such conduct cannot be overlooked and that decisive action was necessary to address the gravity of the situation.
“Alzarri’s behavior did not align with the core values that Cricket West Indies upholds, such conduct cannot be overlooked, and we have taken decisive action to ensure the gravity of the situation is fully acknowledged,” Bascombe said.
West Indies ready for the T20Is after the ODI series triumph
With West Indies having won the ODI series 2-1 against England, attention now shifts to upcoming challenges, including a five-match T20 series. Sammy hinted at reintegrating senior players who were absent during recent matches, emphasizing that while new talent is essential for growth, stability within the T20 squad is crucial for success.
