“It hurts.” When Darren Sammy was asked about the impending collapse of West Indies cricket. His eyes and dejected smile said it all.
The Caribbean team hit the nadir at the ongoing T20 World cup as the two-time champions (2012 and 2016). Couldn’t even qualify for the Super 12s
As the double T20-winning skipper, Sammy is bound to be frustrated and angry. But at the same time. He is pragmatic enough to understand the practical difficulties which include not only the financial security offered by Cricket West Indies.
Sammy makes it abundantly obvious that, in contrast to BCCI, the West Indies board cannot prevent its players from opting to play for franchise leagues rather than a variety of island nations.
India is strong because they can tell their players that you don’t play anywhere else you have to understand they have the money to back it. As Sammy quotes in the conference with PTI.
“An India A list contracted player could probably make a million dollars a year (Rs 7 crore plus match fees plus TV rights money) compared to a Windies A-lister, who would earn USD 150,000 (Rs 1.2 crore roughly).
“That’s a massive difference and obviously the question of pay (disparity) will always come up. It’s very difficult for smaller boards (in terms of financial might) to keep their players together. When they are handsomely paid elsewhere,” Sammy said without mincing words while hitting the nail on its head.
A sportsman’s peak period is a short one and it is no longer amateur sport. Where passion was the biggest ration for men in flannels.
“Gone are those days when you played for love. Love doesn’t buy you groceries from supermarket,” said Sammy bluntly.
Russell and lack of communication
Players like Andre Russell didn’t take part in the T20 World Cup and one of IPL’s big buys, current skipper Nicholas Pooran, didn’t look half the player he is.
Playing Only Leagues can have a negative effect
Sammy knows a thing or two about winning T20 World Cups. He strongly believes that being a star freelancer in global leagues can make you the most sought-after player but it certainly has its pitfalls while playing occasional T20Is for the country.
A classic example for Sammy is Englishman Alex Hales. Who has been a star in T20 leagues (not IPL) but after a long layoff is having problems adjusting in international cricket.
“You can play ‘n’ number of leagues
“You can play ‘n’ number of leagues but it is hard to play T20 leagues for long time and one fine day appear for your national team and expect that you will create magic. That doesn’t happen.
Playing for Caribbean nations not solution
What hurts Sammy is the lack of pride while wearing that iconic maroon West Indies jersey.
“For decades, it was our thing. When we came to T20 World Cups, win or lose, we had that fear factor in our jersey Numbers. The teams knew that they would have to bring their A game.
“But that’s not the case at the moment. To think of a West Indies team not among the top 12 of a T20 World Cup is unimaginable.”
So, will playing for Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana at least in T20Is can be a solution considering there will be some pride associated with playing for the flag?
Sammy outrightly rejected the idea.
“No, I don’t think that will work as West Indies have too much history to be disintegrated into island nations. Also, a practical difficulty is that all the islands don’t have enough quality players to play for the nation,” he concluded.
