“We are the West Indies.”
With that sentence, dumped former West Indies skipper Daren Sammy walked into Test cricket’s sunset.
But it’s clear now that Sammy didn’t just retire with a whimper from Test cricket last Friday night. He also sent an emotional last letter to his bosses at the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), explaining his actions.
In the letter, Sammy also thanked the Caribbean fans who had supported him during his tumultuous four-year tenure as the leader of the regional Test side.
The DAILY NATION is in possession of the letter, which was not made public by the board, and can reveal today that the popular St Lucian was extremely proud of what he had accomplished during his time as skipper.
“My dream was surpassed when I was able to captain the West Indies team. I was asked to be captain at a time when the team was in disarray, the fans were despondent and stability and a new direction was needed,” Sammy said in the letter.
“There was no way I could have made any other decision but to accept and to give it my best. I am proud of what I have contributed to developing a Test squad in my time as player and captain,” he noted.
Sammy made no doubt about the degree of difficulty his job entailed. “It was perhaps the most challenging period for me and West Indies cricket, but I faced the task bravely and without complaint,” he told the WICB.
“I will always be thankful to everyone for that opportunity especially my fellow teammates and team management.
I will always cherish the moments. I also thank my family and close friends for their continuous support, especially my wife Cathy,” Sammy added.
The former skipper also admitted that the West Indies had reached a crossroads in regards to the Test version of the game, and he had long pondered his future.
“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 said.
“I know a new dispensation is at hand in West Indies cricket with new thoughts and directions. I view Test cricket as the pinnacle of the game but commit wholeheartedly to continue playing the other formats,” Sammy also told his regional bosses in the letter.
He also promised full commitment in any areas of the sport he would represent the Maroon in, in the near future.
“I will always support West Indies cricket and always be available to assist in other capacities,” Sammy added.
And once again, he threw his support behind Denesh Ramdin, the Trinidadian wicketkeeper/ batsman whom the WICB chose to replace him with last Friday.
“My best wishes to the new captain, the present, and all future teams and West Indies cricket.”
“We are the West Indies,” Sammy concluded in his letter.
