Former West Indies skipper and newly appointed white-ball head coach Darren Sammy has revealed that he has had “in-depth”, “honest” conversations with Shimron Hetmyer, Evin Lewis, Andre Russell, and Sunil Narine about their possible reintegration to the national set-up.
West Indies cricket has long suffered from issues between the administration and senior players.
Meanwhile, the likes of Russell and Narine have had long-standing issues with the board. The off-spinner last played for the Men in Maroon in 2019 while Dre Russ hasn’t featured in an international fixture in 2021.
Legendary former batsman and former West Indies captain, Sir Vivian Richards, is not totally opposed to the return of some senior players, but says they must be totally committed to West Indies cricket.
“That’s the only way it is going to be done, they have to be totally committed, and they cannot afford to basically pick and choose, and it’s basically like, when I am available. If you are looking to turn this thing around, then all hands must be on deck. If he can bring the team together with that sort of camaraderie [because] it’s not when I am ready,” he said.
Sir Viv said Sammy couldn’t get it wrong, especially given the rocky past between the players concerned and the cricket board.
“When you have a team and you start going to that old stuff we would have had, and that would have been pretty disappointing to a lot of cricket fans, and I guess selectors and other people like that, it would be nice to get it right if we’re looking to move forward,” he said.
“There are certain things, basically, that would have been in the way for them to move forward, and for the West Indies cricket team so there are certain little issues, I guess, that must be dealt with,” the former player added.
Sammy’s first major assignment will be to lead the West Indies in the main draw of the 2023 World Cup by performing well in the upcoming qualifiers in Zimbabwe.
Of course there must be commitment but would there also be reassurance that the CWI would guarantee that the players be properly supported financially.
Everyone prepare themselves for their jobs and want to be paid the best wages.
These players have their families to support and people saying they should be dedicated to WI for less.
Wake up and smell the coffee people.