West Indies cricket great Sir Vivian Richards believes the relationship between Antiguan fast bowler Alzarri Joseph and West Indies head coach Daren Sammy can still be repaired, despite their recent public disagreement over Joseph’s absence from the ongoing Test series against Pakistan.

Richards, one of the most respected voices in Caribbean cricket, said he hopes both men can move past the controversy, warning that public disputes between players and coaches can have lasting consequences.

Speaking on the issue, Sir Viv said the situation should be viewed with perspective, noting that people can make mistakes and relationships can be rebuilt.

“This sometimes hampers guys’ professional careers,” Richards said. “Such statements, if it’s not true and stuff like that, a lot of things linger.”

He pointed out that Joseph and Sammy previously enjoyed a positive working relationship during their time together with the St Lucia franchise in the Caribbean Premier League, making the current tension all the more disappointing.

“The two had a great relationship when he was with the St Lucia franchise, so I’m not quite so certain why relations have gone a bit south,” Richards said.

He added that there is likely more to the situation than what has been shared publicly.

“The relationship, I know, is much bigger than what we hear on the air so it would be of importance to try and rekindle that. We sometimes misstep at times and so long as we have a heart at times, knowing that sometimes the mistakes that we make, we can always put things together and get these guys going again.”

The disagreement surfaced after Joseph withdrew from selection for the ongoing two-match Test series against Pakistan, citing personal reasons.

When announcing the West Indies squad, Sammy told reporters that Joseph had “declined selection” after initially being chosen. He also suggested the matter was beyond his authority, saying Cricket West Indies’ directors would have to determine how contracted players who choose not to make themselves available should be handled.

Joseph later responded during an appearance on the Good Morning Jojo Sport Show, describing Sammy’s comments as “controversial” and saying they lacked the context needed for the public to fully understand his decision.

Richards admitted he was surprised by the coach’s remarks, saying they appeared to imply that Joseph had refused to represent the West Indies.

“I would like to think that Alzarri, and this is just my opinion, would have made it clear as to exactly what the whole stuff was and how he felt and what he meant and I think there are two sides to the story,” Richards said.

“To get the coach saying, and to me it looks like he [was saying], he [Alzarri] refused selection, and that’s pushing it in my opinion, it’s pushing it in a very big way..”

The former West Indies captain said he believes Joseph would have handled the matter professionally and questioned whether Sammy’s public comments were necessary.

“I’d like to think that Alzarri would have gone about it in the professional way, and so that at least the statement from coach Sammy wasn’t really necessary in my opinion.”

Richards also said he would be willing to step in as a mediator if asked, stressing that restoring the relationship would be in the best interest of both men and West Indies cricket.

The controversy comes as the West Indies hold a 1-0 lead over Pakistan in the two-match Test series, with the second and final Test currently being played in Trinidad.

This article was adapted from original reporting by Neto Baptiste, Antigua Observer by Newsco.