The two pacers featured in both matches of a two-Test series against Bangladesh in late 2024 but neither were named in the squad for the upcoming series in Pakistan, which was announced on December 23. This is despite both players being among the first recipients of multi-year central contracts from Cricket West Indies three months ago.

“Shamar Joseph will continue his rehabilitation from injury, while Alzarri Joseph will be unavailable due to other engagements,” read a statement from Cricket West Indies alongside the squad unveiling.

Shamar Joseph’s Injury Problems

Since leading the West Indies to victory with a magnificent 7-68 against Australia at the Gabba last January, Shamar has struggled to stay consistently fit.

The day before his Gabba heroics, the then 24-year-old was struck on the toe by a vicious Mitchell Starc yorker. Whilst he was cleared of breaking his toe at the time, the damage was enough to rule him out of last year’s Pakistan Super League and Indian Premier League, after he picked up deals in both competitions following the Gabba Test.

The Guyanese quick returned to Test match action last summer during West Indies' series in England, but he once again struggled with injury and was forced off the field with hamstring problems in both of the first two matches.

However, Shamar was back to near full fitness and form for both West Indies series in their home summer. He took a memorable five-for on his home ground against South Africa, before he featured in both Test matches against Bangladesh. There was also a deal for him in the SA20, snapped up by Durban Super Giants in the auction.

Despite that brief spell of fitness, Shamar once again finds himself on the sidelines. The latest issue causing him problems are shin splints he picked up during the drawn series with Bangladesh. The injury also ruled him out of the following limited overs series, and means he is unable to fulfill his deal in the SA20.

Alzarri Joseph’s franchise contract

West Indies are no strangers to losing players to franchise cricket, with Joseph the latest loss they are having to cover.

The Antiguan is in the UAE where he features for the MI Emirates in the ILT20. He took 1-29 in the tournament’s opening game earlier this week as MI Emirates, who are defending champions, lost by one run against the Dubai Capitals.

This is not the first time Joseph has missed international fixtures in recent months. The fast bowler was suspended for two games by his own side’s management during a recent series against England.

The punishment was dished out after the 28-year-old angrily left the field during his side’s third ODI against England in November, following an angry exchange with captain Shai Hope West Indies were left with 10 players on the field after Joseph stormed off at the end of the fourth over of the match, with head coach Darren Sammy labelling his behaviour ‘unacceptable’ after the match. Joseph later issued an apology for the incident.

The ILT20 will finish on February 9, with Joseph likely to be available for West Indies’ next assignment, which will be a white ball series in England in May.

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