He has quoted that he grew up watching former legendary West Indian batsmen, Desmond Haynes and Gordon Greenidge, play at their pomp. His wife told him that he’s the most famous cricketer in the West Indies region. And yet, despite winning the ICC World T20 twice for the West Indies and still not being picked for the subsequent summer blast; IPL 2016, one simply doesn’t ignore Darren Sammy.
The West Indies captain of the current resurgent and jubilant T20 side, has emerged to be an iconic figure in contemporary cricket culture in the Caribbean. A competitive player, an athletic, agile all-rounder and an ever smiling man, there many shades to the charismatic Windies captain Darren Sammy that meet the eye.
Currently in India during the 9th edition of the successful IPL and finding his way in the comfort of the air-conditioned commentary box, Sammy’s relaxed persona is only a temporary friendly façade of his burning desire to hone his cricketing craft, something that he cultivates within.
We bring you 5 unknown facts about the inspirational leader from the West Indies:
His inspiration is his current West Indies side
When Sammy, 32, was made the captain of an embattled West Indian Test side way back in 2011, many feared that it might bring the “Sammy vs Gayle” debate to the forefront. Chris Gayle’s captaincy didn’t inspire any particular successes for the side, save for some memorable batting onslaughts the Caribbean side produced in their 2010 tour to Australia.
Gayle was asked to step down and Sammy, then a rising player in a Caribbean side, was brought in as captain.
But, using his brilliant inter-personal skills and measured communication, Sammy quickly became the glue that got all together. The West Indies limited overs team, with stars like Dwayne Bravo, Gayle and Marlon Samuels came together like a house on fire and much of the team’s inspired limited over performances and T20 smashing came at the behest of Sammy’s sharp leadership.
It is no surprise, therefore, that Sammy’s favourite stars are members of his current West Indies side - the likes of Bravo and Gayle being hailed by their captain as inseparable icons of West Indies’ ongoing resurgence in world cricket.
First cricketer from St. Lucia to captain a West Indies side
St. Lucia is popularly regarded as an idyllic beach paradise drenched with tropical rainforests. This relatively small-sized Caribbean nation has produced plenty of cricketers if you look back. The likes of Craig Emmanuel, Keddy Lesporis, Dalton Polius and others have risen from nowhere and represented the West Indies.
But none of the above players have ever gone on to captain the West Indies. The former Test and ODI captain Sammy is best regarded for being the Calypso crusader from St. Lucia who went on to captain West Indies to a double triumph in the revered World T20 competition. And he deserves his success for nurturing a rising team to its prominence in T20 cricket.
Fastest half-century striker for West Indies in limited over cricket
Not many know that the ever-smiling West Indian cricketer holds the record for striking the fastest fifty for the West Indies in limited overs cricket. The year was 2010 and West Indies’ opponents were the South Africans. Then, still rising in a newfound cricketing unit, Sammy on a flat Antigua batting surface had a thing or two to say with the bat.
Striking a glorious 58 of just 20 balls, Sammy smashed 6 boundaries and 2 amazing sixes to launch an avalanche of meaty strokes surprising the likes of Gayle, Bravo and Sarwan with his batting abilities against a South African attack that featured Styen and Morkel.
Another West Indian to have a stadium named in his honour
Sammy smiles, jumps around and laughs on his way to leading the Windies to notable triumphs. Through many special cricketing achievements of captain Sammy, the West Indies have once again occupied huge limelight in sporting headlines around the world.
An inspirational captain and a hefty all-rounder, Sammy has risen tremendously in popularity back in the Caribbean.
And therefore, in lines with his recent T20 triumphs, the government and authorities at his native St. Lucia have decided to rename the Beausejour Cricket Ground as the Darren Sammy National Cricket stadium. The recent honour in the name of Sammy was announced by Prime Minister Kenny D. Anthony.
Located in the outskirts of the beautiful resort area of Rodney Bay, the former Beausjour stadium has held international cricket matches since 2002.
From Priesthood to Cricketing glories
Yes, you read that right. Darren Sammy, who happens to be the other pastor in the current Windies T20 set up alongside the religious Andre Fletcher wanted to become a priest.
He did grow up on the appetizing batting of a Haynes, Greenidge and Lara, but Sammy always regarded the Church as his real home and world away from the turmoil of life. But, surprisingly the St. Lucian took to the cricket field to realize his true potential.
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