Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Viv Richards calls for truce between Sammy and Alzarri Joseph
A very famous old cricket player named Viv Richards is talking about two other cricket people who are upset with each other.
One is the team coach, Daren Sammy, and the other is a fast bowler named Alzarri Joseph.
Alzarri left the Pakistan tour because of personal reasons.
The coach said that Alzarri chose not to be picked for the team.
Alzarri did not like that and said the coach's comment was unfair.
Viv thinks the coach's comment was not needed.
He says there are two sides to the story.
Viv remembers that the two were great friends when they played for the St Lucia Kings.
He says such arguments can hurt players' careers.
He wants them to forgive each other and fix their friendship.
Former West Indies great Sir Vivian Richards has urged coach Daren Sammy and pacer Alzarri Joseph to bury the hatchet.
The rift began after Joseph pulled out of the ongoing Pakistan Test series citing personal reasons.
Sammy had said Joseph "declined selection," a remark Joseph called "controversial" and lacking context.
Richards told the Antigua Observer that Sammy's public comment "wasn't really necessary" and that there are "two sides to the story."
Richards warned such fallouts can damage professional careers and stressed the pair shared a strong bond during their St Lucia Kings days.
- Who
- Former West Indies great Sir Vivian Richards, West Indies coach Daren Sammy, and pacer Alzarri Joseph.
- What
- Richards called on Sammy and Joseph to resolve their public rift after Joseph withdrew from the Pakistan Test series.
- When
- No specific date given; the dispute erupted during the ongoing Pakistan vs West Indies Test series.
- Where
- Location not specified; the matter involves the West Indies team and Richards commented to the Antigua Observer.
- Why
- Richards believes Sammy's remark that Joseph "declined selection" was unnecessary and could harm Joseph's professional career.
Alzarri Joseph's side
Coach Daren Sammy's side
Reason for leaving the Test series
Alzarri Joseph's side
Joseph pulled out citing personal reasons and called Sammy's "declined selection" remark "controversial" and lacking context.
Coach Daren Sammy's side
Sammy said Joseph had "declined selection," a public framing that Richards said pushed the matter "in a very big way."
Handling of the dispute
Alzarri Joseph's side
Richards believes Sammy's public statement "wasn't really necessary" and that there are two sides to the story.
Coach Daren Sammy's side
The coach's public comment stood, prompting Richards to warn that such fallouts can linger and hurt players' careers.
- Calling for truce
- Sir Vivian Richards
- West Indies coach
- Daren Sammy
- Pacer
- Alzarri Joseph
- Reason for withdrawal
- Personal reasons (per Joseph); "declined selection" (per Sammy)
- Series involved
- Pakistan vs West Indies Test series
- Shared franchise
- St Lucia Kings
- Outlet for Richards' comments
- Antigua Observer