WICB sacks Gayle and appoints Sammy as captain

St John’s (Antigua) : The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has sacked Chris Gayle as captain and appointed St. Lucian all rounder Darren Sammy in his place to lead the Caribbean islands till the end of the 2011.

?We are at the dawn of a new era in West Indies cricket and the Selection Committee has entrusted the challenging job of captaincy to Darren Sammy because it is believed that he has demonstrated the attributes of a leader of this diverse group of men,? said Selection Committee Chairman Clyde Butts.

Gayle, the Carribean hit man, had been in charge of the West Indies cricket team since 2007.

The Selection Committee, Head Coach Ottis Gibson, Board CEO Ernest Hilaire and the Director of Cricket Tony Howard discussed the leadership issue with a number of candidates who had been shortlisted for the position.

Finally, the Selection Committee came out recommending Sammy’s name as Captain and the Board approved it.

Brendan Nash has been appointed Sammy?s Test Vice Captain.

?Chris Gayle, the former captain, led the West Indies during a challenging period and the Board thanks him for stepping up then but it is now time to pass on the mantle as the West Indies rebuilds,? said Hilaire.

“Life now presents its biggest challenge and with God at my side, I’ll face it with pride and dignity,” said Sammy, the first St Lucian to represent West Indies.

He has emerged as one of the fastest improving players in the squad, performing an important role as a steady seam bowler and a batsman able to bat as the situation demands.

Sammy has appeared in eight Tests, 43 one-day internationals and 19 Twenty20 internationals.

?Being appointed West Indies captain is an honour and distinction which I will treat with the highest regard and dignity,? Sammy said.

?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 West Indies captain as we work on building a team for the future,? he said.

?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,? Sammy said.

?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,?he said.

The WICB also announces the West Indies Test squad for the Tour to Sri Lanka.

The squad: Darren Sammy (captain), Brendan Nash (vice-captain), Chris Gayle,Adrian Barath, Carlton Baugh Jr (Wicketkeeper), Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo,Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Nelon Pascal, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell,Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith, Devon Thomas (Wicketkeeper).