The Independent Voice of West Indies Cricket

'West Indies are stagnant. We are not going anywhere'..Sammy

Thu, Feb 11, '16

 

interviews

"A lot has been happening,"
 Darren Sammy says, as he sits down for this interview. It is Tuesday evening and we are in Dubai, where Sammy is playing for Peshawar Zalmi in the inaugural Pakistan Super League. He looks weary and not keen to talk; not the Sammy we are accustomed to, with his sunny smiles and positivity. He reveals that he has been busy in a dialogue with the WICB over player fees for the World T20. Also, obviously with planning for the tournament, in which he will lead West Indies.

Being back as West Indies T20 captain must come as a shot in the arm for you?
People see it as a surprise, but I have been captain of the T20 team since 2010. It is just a continuation. It is my third World Cup [fifth], in a format which we won, and we stand a good chance of winning again. I am always excited about leading, especially the T20 team. It gives me pleasure and joy to captain some of the most sought after T20 players in the world.

Brian Lara has said: watch out for West Indies in the World T20. Between the last tournament and now, what has changed for the team?
We are not often called favourites. The difference now is we have barely played any T20Is since the last World T20. Most of us have not been selected for ODI cricket as well. It is only by playing in different leagues that we continue keeping ourselves match ready.

It is good that we are playing in Dubai [in the PSL], which is similar conditions to India. The experience we have in the dressing room, especially playing in India [in the IPL], will take us a long way. Take it one game at a time and believe we are the best. When it comes to T20 cricket, we are a confident bunch. I remember in 2012 when we won, it was about believing that we could win the World Cup. That was the goal. That was the mission.

read the complete interview at ESPNcricinfo