Alzarri Joseph has responded to head coach Daren Sammy’s recent statement about his absence from the West Indies squad for the ongoing two-match Test series against Pakistan. Sammy had stated that Joseph declined selection, a characterisation that Joseph now disputes. The fast bowler said Sammy’s comment was controversial and lacked proper context regarding the circumstances of his unavailability. Cricket West Indies had officially cited personal reasons when naming the 15-member squad for the series.

Sammy made his statement at a press interaction two days before the first Test at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba. The head coach said Joseph had been selected but declined the opportunity. Sammy noted that Joseph was coming from injury and had declined selection for reasons that emerged after his initial selection.

“We had a chat, myself and the head coach. I’ve also had a chat with CWI, and you realise the statement CWI released said ‘personal reasons’. Mr Sammy, being around for a long time, 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 quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Joseph disputes Sammy’s characterisation of his absence

“Like I said, he knows exactly what that statement would have done and the narrative it would have pushed in the public.” Joseph said.

“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 said.

Fitness concerns and recent injury history shape Joseph’s decision

The ace pacer further opened up about how playing an ODI series against New Zealand followed by a Test series was something his body was not ready for. As a result, he chose to opt out of the series but did not “decline” selection, as Sammy said in the media.

“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,” the bowler explained.

“I’m a professional, so I’m going to go to work. I am representing the West Indies. I’m not representing Daren Sammy, so for me, I’m neither here nor there in terms of a relationship,” Joseph said.

Warwickshire have confirmed the return of New Zealand batter Will Young and India left-arm spinner Manav Suthar for the closing stretch of the 2026 County Championship season. Young has been cleared for six remaining Division One fixtures, while Suthar joins for four matches before departing to join the India squad ahead of a two-Test series against Sri Lanka in August.

The Bears sit just five points behind the Division One leaders and are pushing for a first County Championship title since 2021. The dual confirmation adds considerable experience to Warwickshire’s squad at a moment when every match carries significant weight. 

“We’re very pleased to welcome both Will and Manav back to the Bears after both players made a real impact when they were last with the Club. We’ve played some good red-ball cricket already this season, and both players will now bring additional quality at a crucial time of the campaign where we are in the mix for the title.

“Will adds experience to our batting line-up, especially with Beau Webster’s time at the Club over for the season, while Manav showed earlier this year that he has the ability to change a game with the ball as well as adding crucial runs,” James Thomas said in a statement released by the club.

What does Will Young bring to Warwickshire’s batting line-up?

Young is no stranger to Edgbaston, having turned out for the county across three matches at the end of 2025. During that stint he posted an average of 53, with a top score of 72 against Surrey in his opening innings, underlining his comfort in English conditions.

The 33-year-old carries a substantial First-Class record, having accumulated more than 8,700 runs across 143 matches, with 16 centuries and 52 half-centuries to his name. At Test level for New Zealand, he has passed fifty on 11 occasions and surpassed 1,200 runs. Across all formats for his country since his international debut in 2020, Young has gone beyond 3,000 runs. His arrival is particularly timely given that Beau Webster’s stint with the club has already concluded for the season.

What is Manav Suthar’s recent form and why does his stint end after four games?

Suthar made an immediate impression during his first spell with Warwickshire in 2026, claiming 11 wickets across two matches and registering a maiden five-wicket haul for the club. The 23-year-old left-arm finger-spinner has taken 147 wickets in 32 First-Class matches in total, marking him as one of the more potent spin options available in county cricket this season.

His international credentials are equally compelling. Suthar made his Test debut for India against Afghanistan and took 6 for 33 in the first innings, a performance that earned him the Player of the Match award as India won comprehensively. His selection in India’s 15-player squad for the Sri Lanka Tests in August means his County Championship availability is limited to four fixtures before international duty calls.

Saransh Jain is among the latest entrants into the Indian Test squad, having been picked for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. He will be playing as an off-spin-bowling all-rounder, and he has got the opportunity majorly because of years of hard work in first-class cricket.

During a recent interaction, Saransh revealed how his journey began as a young kid going to a cricket club with his father, Subodh Jain – a former Ranji player himself – and his elder brother. This later transpired into a Ranji Trophy debut, where Saransh picked a fifer on debut against a power-packed Tamil Nadu unit. Since then, Saransh says he has adapted to being disciplined in his approach towards the game.

“In the beginning, I used to go to the club with my dad and elder brother. My brother played with a leather ball, but I was very young, so I just went along to play with a tennis ball and hang around. As I grew older, I started playing with the leather ball and played at all the age-group levels. In 2014-15, I made my Ranji debut and took a five-wicket haul in my very first game against Tamil Nadu, a side which featured senior players like Dinesh Karthik. That made me realise cricket isn’t as difficult if you put in hard work and are disciplined,” Saransh told via JioStar.

“From then on, I knew if I wanted to play at a higher level, I had to focus on things which I can control. I kept doing that, and today I’m here representing India. Ever since my age-group days, my main weapon has been consistency, to be able to hit the same spot repeatedly because the batsman will eventually take a risk to score. I’m not overthinking how the pitches will behave in Sri Lanka or how many wickets I’ll get; I just want to stick to my basics,” he added.

Saransh also revealed who his idols in cricket and life in general have been growing up. He gives big chunk of credit to father Subodh, who paved the way for his cricketing dream. Beyond family, he also looks up to Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin as his off-spin mentors. He also shared an anecdote of advice he received from Harbhajan during a camp at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru. 

“I started playing cricket because of my father, who is a former Ranji player himself. I play cricket for him, and he is my ultimate idol. As for bowling, Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin are my idols. While I haven’t spoken to them extensively, I’ve learned a massive amount just by watching their bowling clips. During the one-week camp at the Centre of Excellence, I learned a lot from Harbhajan Singh. 

“Skill-wise, they told me I didn’t need major tweaks since I already have plenty of match experience. But one piece of advice from him really stuck with me, “You don’t have to lose something to gain something. You have to put in the work.’ That stayed with me, and whenever I push myself through hard work, those words resonate deeply.”