IT’S not by accident that the age-old phrase, ‘It’s not cricket’ has been used to describe unworthy conduct, not just in sport but life in general.

Cricket, with its intrinsic manners and respect shown one to another by those who play that glorious sport, has long been a standard which all are asked to uphold.

Hence widespread consternation on Wednesday following ‘un-cricket-like’ behaviour by West Indies premier fast bowler Mr Alzarri Joseph.

Early in the third and decisive One-Day International (ODI) against England at Kensington Oval in Barbados, Mr Joseph — who was bowling well at the time — appeared to have a disagreement about field placements with his Captain Mr Shai Hope.

Following gesticulations and what appeared to be angry words, Mr Joseph declined to celebrate with teammates after a truly special delivery earned him a wicket.

At the end of the over an obviously enraged Mr Joseph marched off the field seemingly without consulting with his captain or anyone else.

He returned later, before leaving the field yet again. The good thing was that he returned and in the end completed his 10-over allocation to engrave his own mark with figures of two wickets for 45 as West Indies won to complete a 2-1 series victory.

We are pleased that the Mr Daren Sammy-led team management, and regional administrators Cricket West Indies, acted promptly by suspending the fast bowler for two games.

We will probably never know what motivated Mr Joseph to have behaved in a manner which would have triggered severe reprimand even in the most lowly-rated competitions, including that category referred to by Jamaicans as ‘curry goat’ cricket.

Happily, Mr Joseph saw the error of his ways and apologised — appropriately in our view.

His explanation that he had failed himself and everyone else by allowing his “… emotions [to] take control…”, and that “one moment of poor judgment can have a wide-reaching impact” should serve as a warning not just to those who play sport but to all of us in every aspect of life.

Mr Joseph’s misstep aside, Caribbean cricket fans were pleased that the regional side came away from the series against England triumphant. It needs to be said that in terms of batting, this was a way-below-strength England side. However, their bowling personnel were top of the line, which made the dominant West Indies eight-wicket victory to clinch the three-game series especially satisfying.

A follow-up T20 series begins today, with the West Indies welcoming the return of a number of stars including Messrs Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell and Akeal Hosein. Those three and others had taken an extended break, embracing last month’s white-ball trip to Sri Lanka as well as the recent ODIs against England.

In our view, although West Indies went down to Sri Lanka 1-2 in T20 and ODI formats in Sri Lanka on mostly spin-friendly pitches, there were encouraging signs of growth.

West Indies T20 Captain Mr Rovman Powell and his men — described by white ball coach Mr Daren Sammy as “our most settled team with lots of experienced players” — will be well aware that in addition to continued growth, Caribbean fans will be expecting more success against England.

We wish the West Indies team all that’s good as they seek to fulfil high expectations.