Sammy to lead Windies
Sri Lanka tour from November 15:
Darren Sammy was handed the task of rebuilding the fortunes of the
once-mighty West Indies team when he was named as the new captain on
Monday. Jamaican Chris Gayle had been in charge of the side since 2007
but after team slid to seventh in the test rankings and eighth in the
one-day standings, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) decided to
change the leadership.
“Chris Gayle led the West Indies during a challenging period and the
board thanks him for stepping up then,” WICB chief executive Ernest
Hilaire said in a statement.
“But it is now time to pass the mantle on as the West Indies
rebuilds.”
Selection committee chairman Clyde Butts added: “We are at the dawn
of a new era in West Indies cricket and we have entrusted the
challenging job of captaincy to Darren Sammy because it is believed that
he has
demonstrated the attributes of a leader of this diverse group of
men.”
The 26-year-old Sammy has played eight tests, 43 one-dayers and 19
Twenty20 internationals and will hope to help West Indies recapture the
form that brought them 11 successive test wins during the 1980s.
The fast bowler’s first task will be to lead the side during a
six-week tour of Sri Lanka which begins on Nov. 15.
“Being appointed West Indies captain is an honour and distinction
which I will treat with the highest regard and dignity,” Sammy, who
hails from St Lucia, said.
“I have always given my all when I prepare and play for the West
Indies and nothing will change now. I know this will be a difficult
challenge and I will take the torch from Chris and hold it high as we
forge ahead.”
Brendan Nash was named as vice-captain. Squad for Sri Lanka test
series: Darren Sammy (captain), Brendan Nash (vice captain), Chris
Gayle, Adrian Barath, Carlton Baugh Jr, Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo,
Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Nelon
Pascal, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith,
Devon Thomas |