Seamer Alzarri Joseph from West Indies sensationally walked off the field during the third ODI against England in Bridgetown after a heated squabble with captain Shai Hope. The incident came in the fourth over of the England innings, leaving witnesses stunned as Joseph stormed the field after a heated spat relating to the field placements assigned by the team. Dispute began at 10/1, when Joseph quite openly gestured his protest to the placement of slip fielders after his opening ball was played to point by visibly showing his frustration as he spoke to Hope for quite a long time while gesturing animatedly towards the slips. The on-field umpire had an argument for a long while as the agitation of the 27-year-old didn’t ease off, producing quite a rare and tense scene as early as in the beginning of the match.
WATCH- Furious Alzarri Joseph Walk Off The Field
– Alzarri Joseph expressed frustration over the field setting.
– After bowling a wicket maiden, he walked off the field in anger.
– West Indies played with just 10 fielders for a full over.
– He eventually returned to the field.
Penalty?
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Joseph Bowls A Fiery 148km/h Bouncer
Still fuming, Joseph then produced a searing 148km/h bouncer that was caught behind off Jordan Cox, handing England another shocker and a breakthrough for West Indies. His irritation was very much still evident, however. Watching from the boundary was former West Indies captain Darren Sammy, who tried soothing words, but the bowler would not be diverted, walking off at the end of his over, no successor in place to replace him. West Indies was temporarily a man down on the field.
Alzarri Joseph Leaves Everyone Stunned
Meanwhile, substitute fielder Hayden Walsh Jr. came in to replace Joseph in the park, but he took his time before returning to the dugout and then back onto the field. Yet, he was not called back directly into the attack. The delay seemed to, however bring a different turn of fortunes for West Indies as Romario Shepherd picked a wicket with his very first delivery, sending England’s Jacob Bethell back to the pavilion.
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Mark Buther Displeased With Joseph’s On Field Exit
However, the comeback was spearheaded by a half-century stand between the fifth-wicket faller for opener Phil Salt and Sam Curran, who, being an all-rounder, played sensibly. This ensured that England did not totally collapse completely, and they managed to reach 4-24 within the first 10 overs. Former England cricketer Mark Butcher added his thoughts on this rare on-field confrontation and said:
“Many is the time, as a captain or as a player, that you have a disagreement about something on the field. But you work that out either behind closed doors, or you get on with your job. Your captain asks you to bowl to a field, you bowl to it.”
