Alzarri Joseph suspended for two matches after on-field spat with captain Shai Hope

West Indies speedster Alzarri Joseph has been handed a two-match ban by the board after an on-field spat with captain Shai Hope on Wednesday (Nov 6) during the final ODI against England. Joseph was seen leaving the field without the consent of the captain, umpire and the team management, leaving the side with 10 players. The veteran star as a result will miss West Indies’ next two matches as they prepare to face England in T20Is.

West Indies ban Joseph

"Cricket West Indies (CWI) has imposed a two-match suspension on fast bowler Alzarri Joseph following an on-field incident during the 3rd CG United ODI at the Kensington Oval, Barbados. As part of CWI’s ongoing commitment to upholding the highest levels of professionalism and integrity in the game, the incident, which involved conduct falling short of CWI’s standards of professionalism, was reviewed in consultation with the Senior Men's coaching staff," read the statement.

During the fourth over of the England innings, Joseph was seen in an animated chat with Hope and did not like the placement of the field. On the fourth ball of the same over he dismissed English batter Jordan Cox but refrained from celebrating and returned to the bowling mark in discontent. Tempers boiled at the end of the over when Joseph decided to leave the field without the consent of the captain, umpire and the team management.

This left the hosts with just 10 players on the field during the fifth over, causing chaos in the team. Eventually, Joseph returned to the field for the sixth over but did not resume bowling until the 12th. He bowled two more overs, before leaving the field again after two misfields off his bowling saw England gain two runs through overthrows. He returned later to bowl two more in the middle overs and his remaining three in the death.

The speedster would end with figures of 45/2 in his 10 overs, but it was his behaviour that caught everyone’s attention.

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