West Indies speedster Alzarri Joseph has been handed a two-game ban for his unceremonious departure from the ground on Wednesday (November 6). The incident took place during the third ODI fixture between England and West Indies in Bridgetown.
In the fourth over of England’s innings, Joseph looked unhappy with the fielding placement and protested against it with skipper Shai Hope. The fourth delivery of the over saw the right-arm pacer inducing a bounce from the surface and getting rid of Jordan Cox. However, he didn’t celebrate the wicket and instead expressed his anger towards Hope.
After the completion of the over, Joseph left the field and went into the dressing room. The Caribbean side played with only 10 players, as the 27-year-old returned for the beginning of the sixth over.
However, he came to bowl only in the 12th over, and left the field again. This time, it was due to two misfields of his bowling, which resulted in England securing two extra runs through overthrows.
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Miles Bascombe, CWI Director of Cricket, expressed his disappointment with Joseph’s behavior and said:
“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.”
Realizing his conduct was not satisfactory, Alzarri Joseph put out a public statement and said:
“My passion got the best of me”, adding that he had “personally apologised to Captain Shai Hope, my team-mates and management.”
“I also extend my sincerest apologies to the West Indies fans – I understand that even a brief lapse in judgment can have a far-reaching impact, and I deeply regret any disappointment caused.”
Joseph finished with figures of 2/45 off his 10 overs after getting rid of Cox and Dan Mousley.
West Indies secure ODI series victory over England
The third ODI fixture between both teams saw England batting first and getting support from their lower middle-order and tail-enders. Mousley (57) and Sam Curran (40) were the top batters for the side, as they went on to post a total of 263. Matthew Forde was the pick of the bowlers for West Indies with three scalps.
In response, the Caribbean team started off with a 42-run opening stand, before Evin Lewis (19) was dismissed by Craig Overton. Nevertheless, Brandon King joined hands with No. 3 Keacy Carty to play with a positive mindset and steer the team at a comfortable rate.
Reece Topley breached the defense of King (102) to break their 209-run stand, but it was too late as West Indies sealed the chase in 43 overs. Carty remained unbeaten on 128 off 114 balls, with 15 fours and two sixes. As a result, West Indies also secured a 2-1 ODI series victory.
