West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has been suspended for two matches after leaving the field without permission during the third ODI against England in Bridgetown. This happened after he and captain Shai Hope were involved in a heated argument over field placements in the fourth over of the match.
After Jordan Cox’s dismissal was completed, Joseph did not celebrate with his teammates but walked back to his mark in silence. He walked off at the end of the over without a word and left the West Indies to field with ten men only at the start of the fifth over. Joseph returned in the sixth but bowled spasmodically throughout the match, visibly frustrated after two misfields off his own bowling led to overthrows.
After the match, Joseph publicly apologized. “My passion got the best of me,” he admitted, adding that he had personally apologized to Hope, his teammates, and the management. “I really deeply regret the disappointment caused to West Indies fans.”
West Indies head coach Daren Sammy condemned the behaviour, saying it is “unacceptable” within the culture he’s trying to create. He pointed out accountability and said, “We will be friends, but this behaviour cannot be tolerated.”
Cricket West Indies Director Miles Bascombe echoed those sentiments. “Alzarri’s actions were not in line with our core values,” Bascombe said. “This suspension highlights the seriousness of the matter.“
Although West Indies lost, Joseph had some respectable bowling, taking 2 for 45 from his 10 overs, and got Cox and Dan Mousley.
West Indies took the T20 series 2-1 starting a five-match T20 series on Saturday. The junior Sammy had stated that this would be a session where key players would be back in action, namely Nicholas Pooran and Akeal Hosein, adding much more depth to the squad as they strive to take their T20 to the next level.
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