Leading West Indies to World T20 triumphs in 2012 and 2016, Daren Sammy is among the most prolific T20 captains. On his 40th birthday, we relive 3 crucial knocks played by Sammy that reveal his character.
The decline of West Indies as a cricketing nation is one of the more poignant chapters in cricket history. But, another chapter unfolded almost parallely, which has given immense joy of lovers of the modern game. The once-hegemonic Test team is now the team to beat in the shortest formats, i.e, T20 cricket.
Innumerable Carribbean superstars continue lighting up T20 leagues around the world, especially the Indian Premier League. Daren Sammy has perhaps embodied this spectacle better than any other West Indian player.
Currently West indies Former captain Daren Sammy has been working with West Indies’ head coach role for the two white-ball formats.
He may have fallen out of favour in the international set-up, but his legacy in T20 cricket endures. On his 40th birthday, we relive three such epic performances by the all-rounder that give us a sneak-peek into his character:
1. Antigua, 2010: Sammy gives South Africa a scare:
South Africa was in pole position, having reduced West Indies to 236/8, with the Chris Gayle-led team needing 65 runs in six overs. An easy victory seemed par for the course, but Daren Sammy took matters into his own hands. He launched into Johan Botha, Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn in three successive overs, as sixes flew off his blade. Sammy brought the equation down to a very gettable 23 off 18, and in the process completed the fastest-ever fifty by a West Indian in ODIs (22 balls).
He had clouted six sixes and two fours in that whirlwind innings. A couple of dramatic run-outs helped South Africa win eventually by 17 runs. Sammy had almost single-handedly taken his team past the winning line, but the valiant effort was rewarded soon. He was made the captain of both the ODI and Test teams and went on to lead West Indies in the ICC World Cup 2011.
2. Trent Bridge, 2012: A maiden Test ton to cherish:
Things were going downhill for the visiting West Indies, who found themselves at 136/6 in the first innings of the second Test against England. After being thumped in the first test, they had to get a decent first innings score to stand a chance against a strong host. Daren Sammy entered at number 8, and stitched a memorable partnership with Marlon Samuels.
He was aggressive right from the get-go, and both batted out until stumps on Day 1. The next day saw both reach their hundreds, before Tim Bresnan accounted for them in the space of three balls. The 204-run partnership, however, had given the total a measure of respectability. Eventually, England eased to a win, but that century by Sammy stood out as it came under immense pressure.
3. Colombo, 2012: Sammy steers his team to WT20 glory:
It was West Indies’ third shy at the World T20 and they had covered the hard yards to reach the final in Colombo. However, they were up against hosts and perennial finalists, Sri Lanka, and the pressure was palpable on the eve of the game. Batting first, they got off to a horror start, losing two wickets in the powerplay, as semi-final hero Chris Gayle had a forgettable outing.
Marlon Samuels played a remarkable innings under pressure, and his 78 must rank as one of the greatest T20 innings in history. Skipper Daren Sammy, however, gave some much-needed momentum towards the end of the innings, with a 15-ball 26.
The cameo, a fine effort on a sluggish wicket, ensured that the Windies ended with a respectable 137 on the board. Sri Lanka batted miserably, and barring a decent second-wicket stand, never really posed a challenge. Sammy added to the misery by removing the dangerous Angelo Mathews and the talented Lahiru Thirimanne. A 36-run victory gave West Indies their first piece of silverware in many years, and Sammy’s astute captaincy became part of folklore!