‘Why you being so mean?’: Accused West Indies player to face Australia

A West Indian cricketer accused of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old girl will play against Australia in the second Test in Grenada, according to coach Daren Sammy.

News broke last week that the player, who has not been named for legal reasons, allegedly assaulted the young woman in March 2023 after a date.

The woman reportedly lodged a complaint with police at the time and has since engaged legal assistance. No charges have been laid.

Cricket West Indies says it has not received any official update from authorities regarding the matter.

Speaking two days out from the West Indies’ second Test against Australia, Sammy was asked if he was aware of the allegations.

“We’re all aware of what’s been going on in the media,” Sammy said. “I’m very close to my players. I’ve had conversations with them to make sure their mental space is good.

“One thing I could say is that we believe in justice. We are a community that believes justice must be served. However, there is a process. As you say, there are allegations. We will continue to support in whatever way we can to make sure due process and the right system is followed.

“As a cricketing board and me as head coach I want justice. My mum raised me well. As of now, it’s all allegations. We know the justice system. You have got to wait for things to process.”

Reports claim the alleged victim’s family were told the cricketer would be arrested upon his return home from the West Indies’ tour of Australia last year.

“I’m not aware of that part of it,” Sammy said. “I’m not a judge and I’m not a prosecutor. Just like you, the information that has come out is what we have. I’m pretty sure at the end of the day, justice will be served.”

Asked whether Cricket West Indies should launch an internal investigation, Sammy said: “I can’t answer that. I’m pretty sure they are doing what they can to make sure the right process is followed. We live in a world where today so many things come out. Allegations are just allegations until the process is complete.”

On whether the player was maintaining his innocence, Sammy said: “I can’t discuss that with you.”

As of Tuesday afternoon in Grenada, Cricket West Indies said it had not received any official communication relating to the allegations.

As he walked away from his press conference, Sammy said to this masthead: “You’re a mean guy man. Why you being so mean to the guy?”

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Meanwhile, Sammy said he stood by his public criticism of the umpires during the first Test in Barbados – comments that earned him a fine of 15 per cent of his match fee by the International Cricket Council.

“My mum always raised me to speak my truth despite the circumstances or consequences,” Sammy said. “I strongly believed in what I said. It is what it is. We’ve had further chat, they’ve clarified some stuff. There has been some admission of error. This was Barbados and now we’re in Grenada.”

Sammy said he expected the West Indies to field the same XI that suffered a 159-run defeat to Australia in Bridgetown.

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