Hope: Alzarri's return a big boost for West Indies

West Indies white-ball captain Shai Hope expressed his eagerness for the return of fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, who has recovered from a lower back injury that sidelined him since late 2025. Joseph's availability is seen as a significant boost for the upcoming One-Day International series against Sri Lanka, which begins this week in Jamaica.

Joseph, who missed the 2026 T20 World Cup, has been cleared to resume playing and recently participated in the Pakistan Super League, where he took eight wickets in nine matches. His ODI record includes 133 wickets in 81 matches. Hope welcomed Joseph's return, noting his fitness and strength. "It’s great having Alzarri back," Hope told CWI Media. "He’s been one of our strongest bowlers, especially in this format for quite some time. Seeing him looking so fit, looking so strong, looking so refreshed is gonna be a big boost for us."

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It’s great having Alzarri back. He’s been one of our strongest bowlers, especially in this format for quite some time. Seeing him looking so fit, looking so strong, looking so refreshed is gonna be a big boost for us.

The series is critical for the tenth-ranked West Indies, as they need to secure points to improve their chances of qualifying automatically for next year's 50-over World Cup. Hope described the team's recent preparation camp as "very fruitful," emphasizing the strong purpose and attention to detail among the players. The team has a good recent home ODI record, having won their last three series in the Caribbean.

Hope also highlighted the specific strategies required to succeed against Sri Lanka. He stressed the importance of preparation, understanding the opponent's tactics, and focusing on scoring effectively while limiting dot balls. For bowlers, the objective is to consistently take wickets to put pressure on the batting lineup, making it easier to manage the game in the later stages. The first match is scheduled for Wednesday at Sabina Park.

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Everyone’s been training with a very strong purpose... We are paying much closer detail to what we are trying to achieve.. When you are trying to be an elite team, that’s what you need to do.