"I got a call yesterday morning, (which lasted) 30 seconds, from the chairman of selectors telling me that they reviewed the captaincy of the T20 (team) and that I won't be captain anymore of the T20 team, and my performance does not merit selection in the squad," Sammy said in his video message."That's okay, I've always believed West Indies cricket is not about Darren Sammy. They are looking to the future and I wanna wish the new captain - I'm not sure if it is out there, won't call any names - all the best as he looks to lead West Indies cricket and take it forward," he added.
Describing the West Indies captaincy as a tough challenge which he embraced with both arms, Sammy thanked former coach Ottis Gibson and the players for their support."Six years ago I was asked to captain West Indies, a task which I thought would be the biggest challenge in my career, in my life. A task which I know would be so difficult, but guess what, I took it head on. I embraced the challenge, I embraced the difficulty, I turn up at the office which is my playground - the cricket field. Everyday I put in the work.
"(I) started off with Ottis Gibson, I want to thank you buddy for believing in me and now it has ended up with Phil [Simmons]. To my players all over the years, who've been part of the team and who've played under my captaincy, I want to thank you all for all the support. We've had our ups and downs but I have never given up hope, I have never stopped believing in myself and the team. That is what I was about as captain, trying to instil positive, never-say-die attitude to my players. The result we won two World Cups and I want to thank you all," the 32-year-old added.
In the 47 T20I matches with Sammy at the helm, West Indies won 27 games and were also crowned World T20 champions in the 2012 edition in Sri Lanka and the 2016 edition in India. Sammy though hasn't impressed with his form in the shortest format in the last two years, managing a highest of 20 in eight innings since 2015, and has picked up only one wicket.
While terming the World T20 title wins as the highlight of his career, Sammy went on to mention that it wasn't the end of the road as far as his international cricket career is concerned."Obviously, throughout my captaincy winning the two World Cups (World T20) has been the highlight. And these memories I will cherish for a long time. This is not me retiring from one-day or T20, it's just me thanking the fans and my players and the coaches I've worked with and WICB for...yea, letting me lead the side for the last six years. But for now the captaincy has come to an end and thank you people.
"I just know I played with my heart and soul whenever I stepped out on the cricket field," Sammy concluded.
No comments:
Post a Comment