West Indies will lock horns with Pakistan for the two-match Test series. The first Test match is scheduled to begin from July 25 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.
Ahead of the series-opening match, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/youre-my-favourite-desire-former-west-indies-cricketer-daren-sammy-to-wife-23626552" rel="nofollow">West Indies head coach Darren Sammy</a> said that pacer Alzarri Joseph has declined selection for the upcoming series.
While announcing the squad for the series, Cricket West Indies said that the pacer was unavailable due to personal reasons, but Sammy revealed more details about it.
"Yeah, it is a big loss. Mr Joseph has declined selection. That's the reality of the situation," he said during the press interaction.
"He was selected. I mean, he's now coming back from injury. And for reasons since, he has declined the selection. That is a decision that is way over my head. I leave that with the directors to come up with whatever solutions where contracted players get to decline selection," added the head coach.
So far, Joseph has featured in 42 Test matches for the Caribbean side and has picked up 130 wickets. His best bowling figures in a <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/wtc-final-the-oval-set-to-stage-marquee-match-on-june-9-next-year-23641319" rel="nofollow">Test match</a> are seven wickets for 111 runs.
Despite missing out on Joseph's services, the head coach has expressed confidence in the remaining bowling line-up by saying that the squad consists of players who can claim 20 wickets.
"What I could tell you (is that) we have a bowling line-up that we've seen that could take 20 wickets. That's the first start to winning Test matches," Sammy said when asked if West Indies had the firepower to take on Pakistan. We saw it in New Zealand. We saw it in the Australia series. We matched Australia with the ball. We matched New Zealand with the ball as well. And the confidence and the work that the batters have put in, you could see it bearing fruit in the Test series against Sri Lanka," he said.
"You know, much more consistency is coming through. So once we match these two batsmen scoring runs, we know we have the bowling line-up to take 20 wickets and help us win Test matches," added the 42-year-old former cricketer.
<h2>West Indies' bowling attack for two-match Test series against Pakistan</h2>
West Indies' pace attack consists of <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/injured-west-indies-pacer-shamar-joseph-ruled-out-of-test-series-against-team-india-23596038" rel="nofollow">Shamar Joseph</a>, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales and all-rounders Justin Greaves and Keemo Paul. The spin line-up will have the likes of Jomel Warrican, rookie Joshua Bishop and captain Roston Chase.
(With PTI Inputs)

Ahead of the series-opening match against Pakistan, West Indies head coach Darren Sammy said pacer Alzarri Joseph has declined selection for upcoming series

West Indies' head coach Darren Sammy speaks about Alzarri Joseph's unavailability ahead of Test series against Pakistan

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Ahead of the series-opening match, West Indies head coach Darren Sammy said that pacer Alzarri Joseph has declined selection for the upcoming series

'Mr Joseph has declined selection...': West Indies' head coach Darren Sammy ahead of Test series against Pakistan

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