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“[…] What they (Cricket West Indies) have given Alzarri Joseph is a couple days of rest [and] a slap on the wrist… This was coming for a long while… He has obvious problems with his anger and aggression.
“The other point I would like to make is that he has been feeling the building pressure, because he is not king of the rock anymore…”
The following is a Letter to the Editor by veteran cricket commentator Joseph “Reds” Perreira on the Cricket West Indies’ two match suspension of fast bowler Alzarri Joseph for indiscipline:
I think this has been badly handled by the West Indies board (the Cricket West Indies). I think [to] most people who saw it—and it was seen by the world—it was just a shocking display of indiscipline, and disrespect for your captain and your fellow players, disrespect to the crowd watching, and disrespect to the game.
One would have thought that the West Indies board would have taken the opportunity to do the appropriate to help this young man.
My own feeling, before I saw the two-match ban—which was short of a good length—was that he should face a suspension for five matches. He would not have played against England at all.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
Let him go away from the team, go away from the game, go back to Antigua, see his family, get the love from his wife and children and his friends, and support in general.
What they have given him is two days or a couple days of rest.
The other missing part of the West Indies board’s action is that, other than suspending him for the five games, they could have arranged for some special help with the [relevant] qualified people about temper management.
Photo: CWI Media
Getting that help would have taken him, and enabled him to face the tiger and the internal devils. He might have been able to then come back and be available for the Bangladesh tour.
The West Indies board has virtually given him a slap on the wrist. I mean, the initial behaviour was enough: the total show of vexation, hands flaring, with a couple of the players trying to talk to him, and him ignoring them.
There was the case of [Jayden] Seales going up to him, taking the towel; he virtually boxed the hand away.
But the straw that broke the camel’s back was when he walked off without informing the captain, without telling the umpire—and because he didn’t tell the umpire, there could not be a sub.
How could the West Indies board have gotten this all wrong? It reflects a very weak board. I think the world was watching to see what they would have done.
If you check the social media, I think 80 or 90 percent felt that a more severe suspension might have been helpful. If you checked the international wires, you would have seen that it was a bad mark against West Indies cricket. But they have copped out.
Photo: Ashley Allen – CPL T20/CPL T20 via Getty Images
It is a tap on the wrist, and a missed opportunity. This was coming for a long while.
You can see his exaggerated reaction to a possible dropped catch or misfield off his bowling, which was always worse than his teammates who would not react as badly. He has obvious problems with his anger and aggression.
The other point I would like to make is that he has been feeling the building pressure, because he is not king of the rock anymore. His last couple of series, maybe over the last two years, he has been very expensive.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Gallo Images/ Wired868
And he is feeling the pressure of Seales; he is feeling the pressure of Shamar Joseph; he’s feeling the pressure of Matthew Forde, and one or two others lingering in the wings.
Others are now stepping up, and he might not be an automatic pick for whatever level—whether T20, 50 overs, Test match or whatever.
Like I said, I think the West Indies board got it very wrong, and it would be interesting to find out who made that decision. Is there a disciplining committee functioning? Did the directors make the decision?
(via CWI Media)
If you look at the statement of coach Daren Sammy, in relation to the suspension, I think even he might be a little disappointed.
Here was a lost opportunity to really address Alzarri Joseph’s ultra-aggression.
Editor’s Note: Click HERE to read a response from veteran journalist and editor Earl Best who disagrees with Reds Perreira’s view on the Alzarri Joseph incident.
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The Spirit of Cricket is strong on respect. The young man showed utter disregard for the Spirit of the game.
He should have been left out for the remainder of the England series and given the professional help that he so badly needs.
Regardless of what may have happened, the captain is in charge.
There is always an opportunity to vent your feelings at the post match team meeting.
That public display of disrespect and ungentlemanly conduct is totally unacceptable.
Dread
Gone were the days when discipline prevailed. Please teach this guy something about the three W’s. That’s all
Discipline is more important than talent people. I don’t care what was said to him that sort of reaction is totally unacceptable at international level. My 10 year old knows not to throw a tantrum better than this guy. While I agree that much is required from these players they are also ambassadors for our region and our people. He needs to go back to Antigua indefinitely to learn how to be a professional ridiculous that he was given a two day sanction.
I am not surprise that the WIC board gave Alzarri Joseph a license to disrespect every aspect and people involved in the game of cricket. As a matter of fact, I believe that the main reason why the West Indies team is performing egregiously is the undisputed fact that many on the team do not possess cricket intelligence. This lack of intelligence is displayed in all forms of the game. Eg. trying to take a quick single and got run out when the circumstances do not warrant. Another, employing defensive plays in t20 matches when they needs runs and have the gall to boast about it. Until they understand the meaning discipline and select reasonable and rational members on WIC Board ,unfortunately the WI cricket team will continue to sub perform.
Every story has two sides. We will like to know what was said prior to the game and what was transpired verbally at the time of the incidence.
I read the comments made in relation to the incident involving Mr Joseph and I can’t help but think no wonder our young people behave the way they do.
Here is a man that has shown disrespect to the game,the spectators the umpires to the management and coaching staff and the guest and we have people talking about two sides of a story.
Noticed I deliberately did not mentioned the captain. Mr Joseph has no respect for authority and to think that he was appointed vice captain for a series. God help west Indies cricket!
I think there should have been more deeper discussion or intervention to Alzarri behavior on field in the T 20 match. I do agree a stronger punishment should have been given..also some serious mental help with that type of anger he seems to always display..that young man needs help..
From 1977 I have been watching cricket and the behavior from Joseph doesn’t match the gentleman conduct that the game of cricket is played with.
His punishment doesn’t match his behavior and the board needs to rethink their decision and punish player more harshly that they deter from ungentlemanly conduct in the game known as the king of sport..
For those are saying he has an anger issue and he doesn’t smile. Smiling and grining determined you are upset. Some of get married to women who never no matter what. Give a break.
I have seen it and heard it all…. Insularity has not and did not start with Alzahri…. How quickly we forgot about Carl Hooper, Brian Lara, I can call tons more west Indies players, Marlon Samuels, Chris Gayle…. But This is just a young man who voiced his opinion…. What of the disrespect from the captain to his strike bowler or you all fail to register that? How come the Captain didn’t address this on the field? Why was this bowler the only one not allowed to recommend field placing? Don’t you think the reason for the 2 game suspension is because the powers that be realized that there was more to this than you the writer and Monday morning wicket keepers know and saw??? Please spare me the largese…. West Indies cricket has and will always be run like this because all the so-called big country cricket lovers and commentators do not respect or want anyone other than their players to partake in the spoils that cricket is now offering….
What are you trying to say?
Please clarify in proper English
I am anxious to know what that captain said to him. I don’t condone such behavior but It will be interested to know what the captain said to him. Every story has two sides.
There is no real punishment for bad behavior anymore.You can cheat,lie,steal and behave poorly and know that you will receive no punishment.
The way of the world!!
I agree!..look at the 47th President of The United States!
Two sides or not Alzarri Joseph has been displaying that level of indiscipline/hot-headedness for awhile now. In many instances for fielding mistakes etc that he has shown he is also prone to. I think the measures taken to discipline him was quite soft. Given that he is now a senior member of the team a stronger message ought to be have sent. To heap indiscipline on inconsistent performance is a bridge too far even for West Indies cricket at this time.
No excuse, excessive punishment, that would satisfy those who wishes to destroy West Indian cricket would enjoy this.
As a fan I would like to know more, realizing a picture has two sides.
Our team must look at the big picture, discipline is given, we have a series to win.
My parents use to tell me “there are two sides to a story”.
Maybe you should be more open-minded and address the issues that pushed him to his breaking point.
His actions were wrong but I know he is not crazy so maybe you should try and find out the going-on behind the scene.
Agreed. Too many persons know the truth. There are three side to the truth, Joseph own, the captain own and the real truth.
Even if something bad was said,he should’ve still respect the game of cricket and let the umpires know he’s going off.
If there’s a problem behind the seen let the coaches get it sorted behind the scenes also.
I’m sure you mother told you don’t air you dutty laundry in public also.
Reds all I have to tell you is that Donald Trump is the president of the United States
Even if something bad was said,he should’ve still respect the game of cricket and let the umpires know he’s going off.
If there’s a problem behind the seen let the coaches get it sorted behind the scenes also.
I’m sure you mother told you don’t air you dutty laundry in public also.