Darren Sammy to lead West Indies
All-rounder Darren Sammy has been named the new West Indian captains as the team from Caribbean embarks on a tough tour of Sri Lanka for a three test match series.
Test matches in the sub-continent have been few and far in between for the West Indians in recent years and their performances have been generally abysmal there.
The tide has gone against them since their 1997 drubbing at the hands of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755. They lost the three match series 3-0 at a time when they had in their armoury some of the most exciting talent in international cricket.
Since then it has turned into a terminal decline with the Islanders now languishing at the 8th spot in the ODI ranking and 7th in Test match rankings.
Sammy would be replacing the flamboyant Chris Gayle, who had a troubled stint at the helm of West Indian cricket, with frequent run-ins with the West Indies Cricket Board.
The pay dispute between some of the leading West Indian cricketers and their administrators led to a One-Day and Test series whitewash, at the hands of the minnows of international cricket, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 last year.
The squad that faced the Asians was a hugely depleted one and was given a sound thrashing. However, Chris Gayle returned to the national fold and was re-appointed captain.
Even his return did little to bolster the fortunes of the team that is now a mere shadow of its glorious past.
The task in the prevailing circumstances is a tough one for Darren Sammy, who has been hailed as a talented all-rounder, who has a never say die spirit.
He was elated with his appointment, yet conceded that taking the West Indians back to the old winning ways was a herculean task:
"Being appointed West Indies captain is an honour and distinction which I will treat with the highest regard and dignity. I believe my captaincy of the Windward Islands, a young team which I have been moulding into playing consistently
competitive cricket, will stand me in good stead as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 captain as we work on building a team for the future”.
"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. I have been playing
for the West Indies since 2004 and over those six years I have built strong relationships with many players and I expect to have the full support of the squad".
The West Indians have selected http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758, some of the regular members of the team in recent years have been left out.
These include fast bowlers Jerome http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915, Fidel Edwards and Powell. The trio has formed the first choice attack in Test cricket yet they have been extremely inconsistent.
Under the captaincy of Chirs Gayle the West Indians won a mere 3 out of 20 Test matches, hence the task for Sammy is going to be equally tough.
One of the major challenges at his hand is motivating Chirs Gayle, who has remained an enigma for cricket fans. Rated amongst the most talented batsmen in international cricket the left-hander has often had issues with his concentration
and determination to succeed.
On the other hand when he puts his mind to the task, he remains one of the cleanest strikers of the ball in all formats of the game.
West Indian Squad for Sri Lanka:
Darren Sammy (capt), Brendan Nash (vice-captain), Chris Gayle, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shane-Shillingford-c89689, Devon Smith, Devon Thomas (wk).
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