West Indies are all set to take on Pakistan in the two-match Test Series beginning on July 25. While some of the leading names of the current Caribbean setup will be taking part in the series, which is an important part of the World Test Chapionship 2025-27. However, they will be missing one of their key fast bowlers, Alzarri Joseph. However, head coach Darren Sammy has made the shocking revelation that Joseph himself declined his opportunity despite being selected for the series.
Speaking to the media before the first match of the series, Darren Sammy confirmed that it was a big loss for West Indies, as Alzarri Joseph has declined selection. He further said that he did not know the reason why he had declined selection, even though he was coming back from an injury. He has also left the repercussions of this decision to the board. Sammy was visibly very unhappy at this decision.
“Yeah, it is a big loss. Mr Joseph has declined selection. That’s the reality of the situation,” Sammy said.
“He was selected. I mean, he’s now coming back from injury. And for reasons since, he has declined the selection. That is a decision that is way over my head. I leave that with the directors to come up with whatever solutions where contracted players get to decline selection,” he added.
However, the West Indies head coach was assured that despite the absence of Alzarri Joseph, they have the ability to take all 20 wickets.
“What could I tell you? [is that] we have a bowling line-up that we’ve seen that could take 20 wickets,” Sammy said.
“That’s the first start to winning Test matches. We saw it in New Zealand. We saw it in the Australia series. We matched Australia with the ball. We matched New Zealand with the ball as well. And the confidence and the work that the batsmen have put in, you could see it bearing fruit in the Test series against Sri Lanka. You know, much more consistency coming through. So once we match these two, batsmen scoring runs, we know we have the bowling line-up to take. 20 wickets and help us win Test matches,” the West Indies head coach added.
West Indies Squad For Pakistan Series
Roston Chase (captain), Jomel Warrican, Joshua Bishop, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Kirk McKenzie, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales
