Joseph happy just playing Twenty20

Sylvester Joseph, vice-captain of the Stanford Superstars side that recently beat England, has said he has no more ambitions of representing West Indies in Tests and ODIs. Joseph led Antigua and Barbuda in the Stanford 20/20 earlier this year, but opted out of representing Leeward Islands in the regional first-class and one-day tournaments last season.

"I have to wait and see what is in store with Stanford 20/20, but at the moment I am focusing on Twenty20 cricket," Joseph told the Antigua Sun. "My desire for playing in the [regional] first-class competition is gone - it is not there at the moment."

Joseph was part of the XI that each won US$1 million following their ten-wicket rout of England in the Stanford 20/20 for 20. Joseph represented West Indies in 13 ODIs and five Tests and was picked for the tour of England last year after two solid domestic campaigns with Leewards Islands. He played at Headingley, which proved to be his his last Test, and holds a poor average of 14.70 at the top level, but believes he was given a rough deal.

"I just believe that after dedicating my life to cricket for so many years and with the opportunities that I got [to play for the West Indies], I don't think personally that I got a fair chance," he said.

A middle-order batsman, five of Joseph's ten Test innings came at the top of the order. "This has been happening with West Indies every time I got an opportunity so personally I just believe being there is not beneficial for the team and for myself in the way that I know I can perform and the way I know I can help the team.

"So I am in a situation now where people believe in me that when I get the opportunity to go out I can go out and perform the way in which I know I can perform," he said. "But when I played for the first-class team and the West Indies team I don't think I was given the opportunities to perform.

"It has been frustrating for many years and it's a decision that I had to make. I have a young family and I have other things that I need to deal with so after 12 to 13 years doing something that is not bearing fruit, I don't think I should continue in that way."