FORMER WEST INDIES CAPTAIN Darren Sammy has revealed he actually pondered quitting Test cricket right after the team’s under-achieving tour of New Zealand had ended.
Sammy, who announced his retirement from Test cricket last Friday night, said his decision wasn’t fallout from being replaced as captain by wicketkeeper-batsman Denesh Ramdin earlier that day.
Although the decision to call time on his Test career came hours after he was axed as captain, Sammy said he had been thinking about it for a long time.
“After the New Zealand series [which West Indies lost 2-0] I sat down with the team management and the selectors and then told myself that we cannot continue like this. Probably my career is on the line. I was very serious about it,” Sammy said yesterday.
The St Lucian also wrote an emotional letter to the West Indies Cricket Board, explaining why he had quit Test cricket.
“It was a difficult decision. If you have been playing cricket as a kid, all you have been dreaming of is to represent your team in Test cricket and I have been fortunate enough to do it. But I thought it was the right time for me to move on. I feel it’s time the West Indies Test team continues to move in a new direction, under a new leader,” he added.
“When I was asked to lead the team when it was in disarray, it was the most challenging phase for me,” Sammy said. “There was no way I could not have accepted the job. To get the bunch to play as a unit, earn their respect and then lead them towards a new direction has been a memorable journey. From what I have contributed, I hope I have done my bit and it’s time for somebody else to carry on.”
Sammy stressed that his best as a limited-overs cricketer was yet to come.
“I am sure we all have a part to play to take West Indies cricket forward in whichever format we are playing in,” Sammy said.
“I am pretty much available in one-day and T20 cricket and hope my services will be utilised. I have my best years of cricket ahead of me and look forward to contributing to West Indies cricket. I am still fit. Probably I might not look fit, but I am fit. I wish I can keep on playing my role in West Indies cricket.”
Sammy thanked the West Indies cricket fraternity and his family for their support.
“I respect this great game a lot and I have always given my best, whether it was in the dressing room or when I have trained,” he said. “I thank all my teammates and support staff and administrators for all their support. I would also like to thank all my friends and family for standing beside me, especially my wife Cathy.” (BA)
