Sammy has done well in tough role, says Gayle

CHENNAI, INDIA – MARCH 17: Devendra Bishoo of West Indies (C) celebrates with team mates Chris Gayle and Darren Sammy after taking wicket of Eoin Morgan of England during the Group B ICC World Cup match between England and West Indies at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium on March 17, 2011 in Chennai, India.

Dhaka, Nov 11 – West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle has given a strong endorsement of Darren Sammy‘s captaincy, and says he expects him to continue to improve in the leadership role.

Sammy replaced Gayle as the West Indies captain in October 2010, a move by selectors that sparked widespread criticism and rigorous debate among pundits, reports CMC.

Gayle, who recently returned to the side after a 14-month exile, said Sammy had performed well in what had been a difficult role.

“He has bonded himself with the team for the last two years he has been captain,” Gayle told media here Saturday.

“He’s played a particular role in the last two years. It’s not an easy role being captain and we as senior players have to try and make his job as easy as possible. He has done well and in the last couple years (earlier this year) he has actually gotten a Test century which has been a big improvement from his personal point of view.”

He added: “(He’s been) doing well with the ball as well so as time goes on, he’ll actually progress and get to learn more and in the future be a better captain.”

Sammy has led a West Indies revival since his time in charge, leading the side to the Twenty20 World Cup triumph in Sri Lanka last month and to a comprehensive win in all formats when New Zealand toured the Caribbean during the summer.

Last year, the side reached the quarter-finals of the 50-over World Cup and also managed to hold Pakistan to a 1-1 draw in a two-Test series.