Veteran West Indies cricket commentator Dr Joseph “Reds” Perreira has shared his views on the latest controversy surrounding fast bowler Alzarri Joseph.
The fiery pacer was on Friday suspended by Cricket West Indies (CWI) for two matches following an on-field incident during the final One-Day International (ODI) in Barbados last Wednesday.
In that match, Joseph, who serves as the vice-captain for the ODI team, became involved in a verbal altercation with skipper Shai Hope. Joseph then left the field of play without permission, forcing the West Indies to temporarily field with only 10 players.
While Joseph did eventually return to the field and has since apologised for his behavior, his actions were deemed “unacceptable” by head coach Daren Sammy.
Reflecting on the incident, Perreira, who has been commentating on Caribbean cricket for over 50 years, expressed his disappointment, calling Joseph’s behavior inappropriate.
“The incident was a very disappointing one to watch. It was also difficult to understand why it was a beef with the bowler himself, because the captain sets his field, the tradition is you bowl to the field and then you may talk to the captain a bit later on to ask for an adjustment,” he said. “But the body language and the ramification and the flaying of hands and efforts by his colleagues at mid-off and mid-on to talk to him and cool him down were just ignored and he seemed to be angry with them for trying to talk to him.
“I’ve been watching cricket since 1953. And I’ve seen a lot of cricket in my time. I’ve seen anger displayed by fast bowlers, by batsmen, by players, but I’ve never seen that anger go on for more than a minute and a half, two minutes, before the bowler goes back to his mark or the batsman takes guard. The play continues. In this case, we had maybe a record-breaking act where he leaves the field without permission, without talking to his captain, and more so without telling the umpire. Hence, the West Indies could not get a substitute.
“There was a disappointing display of virtually being rude, insulting your captain, insulting your fellow players, insulting the game, insulting the crowds who are watching, not only at Kensington but worldwide.”
Since the incident, several commentators, both within and outside of the cricketing world, have weighed in on what the best course of action should have been. Some believe that the CWI’s two-match suspension was too lenient. Pereira is among those who feel the punishment should have been more severe, suggesting Joseph should have been suspended for the remainder of the T20 series and sent home to receive support from his family.
“He should have been suspended for the rest of the England T20 series and head home to the support of his family, which someone will need at this time, and his friends. Go to the beach in Antigua and relax. But what was also disappointing, that the West Indies Board did not say that the appropriate treatment, the appointment, and qualified people in temper management will also be working with him in the coming days,” Perreira added. “If you’re really interested in the players, it’s not giving him a couple of days off in Barbados and then he’s back without treatment playing in Saint Lucia. I would think that if you want to help a player, you need to help him holistically.
“The stats will also indicate that Alzarri has been going through a difficult period over the last two years, bowling well in some matches and being very expensive in other matches and I think that is also maybe just troubling him. It’s gonna be uncomfortable for him because the whispers will be all around. I’m not too sure that the kind of Daren Sammy team spirit will be that easy to achieve because of the incident.”
Completely agree with Reds, Saint Lucians should come out with their banners for the matches expressing their disapproval at such conduct.
I am old school when it comes to cricket and these guys playing now do not impress me. However, what’s done is done and it’s not an issue that’s ever surfaced in cricket before. Therefore we don’t need to go crazy with the punishment idea. Discouraging the behavior is what need to happen and there are plenty of capable people around who can help. The fix doesn’t need to be punitive. These are developing world kids (l was born and raised)in the 3rd and i know culture and the sum of our experiences guides our behavior. Let’s support him positively and getting to bowl at his best
Did the west indies sent home Michael holding when he the stumps fling out of the ground, did the west indies sent home Collin croft for his incident and did the west indies sent home Viv Richard’s for storming in the press box no, so you see there is an issue in west indies cricket not just now but along time ago and you guys wants to deem this young man as a disrespectful man come on. What do you call the players that neglect west indies duty for their gain? What do you call players that sit out tours because someone they don’t like got selected. Oh please stop it stop talking with water in your mouth. He was wrong to leave the field of play without permission am not for that! But take are deep dive into the west indies closet and see what skeleton lies in there.
I think overall Alzarri has a problem and need to be addressed for his benefit. He can be a better person on and off the field. If this is an example for one let it be for all. Use this event for critical thinking and development for all.