[www.inewsguyana.com] – Former West Indies Cricket Board Administrator Earnest Hilaire has dubbed Darren Sammy’s removal from the helm of the test side as premature.
The former WICB Chief Executive, Sammy had the role of rebuilding a shattered West Indies image but the job has not been completed.
“As to whether it (sacking) is the best timing, personally I think it is premature. I think there was always an understanding that Darren was going to be interim as a new team was being built and that he was going to lead the interim and rebuilding phase until the team had reached a stage and had the players that would constitute what one could call the ideal team structure.”
“But that’s what it is and that’s what the selectors have informed him and he acted in a manner which the thought was in his best interest,” said the former Administrator.
Sammy led West Indies in 30 of his 38 Tests, finishing with eight wins, 12 defeats and ten draws. A vibrant and well-respected personality, Sammy was credited for returning discipline and stability to the West Indies side.
However, with a batting average of 21 and a bowling average of 35, his place in the side came under constant scrutiny. According to Hilaire, it was evident Sammy’s decision to retire stemmed from an understanding he was no longer in the future plans of selectors.
“There seems to be view that Sammy was told by the selectors that they had changed their direction as it relates to selecting the team,” said Hilaire, who presided over one of the most turbulent periods in West Indies cricket.
“They wanted to move to specialist bowlers and specialist batsmen and in that context, they felt he no longer had a pick on the team and could no longer be captain and therefore Ramdin was going to assume the captaincy.”
Last Friday, the WICB sacked Sammy as Captain after nearly four years in charge, in favour of wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin. Sammy subsequently retired from the Test game.
