Darren Sammy insisted he had no regrets over a passionate speech that effectively ended his international career.
Darren Sammy insisted he had no regrets over a passionate speech that effectively ended his international career. London: Former captain Darren Sammy said on Thursday the West Indies were in a -"mess-" but insisted he had no regrets over a passionate speech that effectively ended his international career, adding he would -"do it even better-" if given another chance.
The 32-year-old St Lucia all-rounder has not played for the West Indies since captaining the team to a dramatic last-over victory against England in the World Twenty20 final in Kolkata in April.
Afterwards, an emotional Sammy used the presentation ceremony to say how his side felt -"disrespected-" by the West Indies Cricket Board's lack of support, with a pay dispute having previously threatened the team's participation in India.
-"Put me on that podium again and I will do it even better,-" said Sammy on Thursday.
-"I believe a man has to speak his heart. It was just an extension of what my team went through flowing from me.-"
Sammy was speaking just two days after the West Indies suffered a crushing 133-run second Test defeat by Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.
That left them 2-0 down in the three-match series and was their 19th loss in 29 Tests.
On the eve of the tour, the WICB -- led by controversial president Whycliffe 'Dave' Cameron -- sacked winning World Twenty20 coach Phil Simmons, a former West Indies batsman.
-"It's disappointing but not surprising,-" said Sammy, also the West Indies' captain when they won the 2012 World Twenty20. -"It's been a trend of how my former employers operate.
-"It was sad. They will say it did not have an effect on the team but, from the pictures being posted on social media, I could tell my team was not in a happy mood.-"
Sammy, the first cricketer from the island of St Lucia to represent the West Indies, insisted he was -"at peace-" with his own situation.
-"Everything in life happens for a reason,-" he said.
-"I am still on a high. I refuse to let people dictate my mood...It is disappointing to win a World Cup (World Twenty20) and you've not played international cricket after that.
-"To remove the winning World Cup coach (as well), it's just a mess.
-"I am not about fighting it anymore. I'm just focused on wherever my services are needed. Right now that's franchise cricket...I'm not retired, I am still available for (West Indies) selection.-"
He added: -"I just hope and pray that our youngsters are not burdened by the decisions taken at the top.
-"We have two young captains in Jason Holder and Carlos Brathwaite. They must be under some serious pressure. I have been through it and it's not an easy job.-"
Following the West Indies' latest World Twenty20 triumph, St Lucia's main cricket stadium was re-named in Sammy's honour, making him one of the few active cricketers ever to have played in a ground with his name on it.
Sammy said the decision by the St Lucia prime minister had been -"mind-blowing-".
-"My son whispered to me afterwards, 'Dad, you know now you can't lose in your own stadium ', so the pressure is always on!,-" he explained with a grin.
-"It's something that will always seem unreal for me. It shows the level of support and appreciation St Lucia has for me in what I have done to put the country on the map and I am forever thankful to St Lucia for that.-"
Sammy was speaking after a London news conference where it was announced that India-born businessman Jay Pandya of the Philadelphia-based Royal Sports Club, had become the new owner of the St Lucia Zouks Hero Caribbean Premier League franchise.
-"Today was a great day for St Lucia Zouks and I am looking to exciting times ahead,-" said Sammy, who this year captained the Zouks to their best CPL finish as they reached the play-offs, while the tournament broke new ground by staging six matches in Lauderhill, Florida.
-"I met Mr Pandya for the first time and I could just feel the positive energy he brings.-"
Pandya, explaining his decision to invest in the Zouks, the last of the six CPL team to go into private hands, said: -"We felt it was a great addition to our sports portfolio.-"
Praising the CPL's -"fantastic growth-", with a television audience now estimated at 120 million, he added: -"It has energised crowds to come and watch matches live at stadiums across the Caribbean and the United States with the party-like atmosphere.-"
