The 26-year-old, who has played eight Tests and 36 One-Day Internationals, was yesterday named to lead the regional squad against Ireland and Canada in Twenty20 Internationals starting Saturday.
“Being appointed to captain the West Indies team here in Jamaica is an honour for me. I will take it very seriously and look to do my best in this capacity. I see it as another chapter in my development as a player,” said Sammy.
“Whenever I go onto the cricket field I always try to make a positive contribution. I believe I have the ability to do a good job at the helm and I know I will get the full support of everyone in the team as well as the management and support staff.”
Selectors have overlooked Denesh Ramdin who has served as vice-captain before and who led the side in the T20I against Zimbabwe in Trinidad and Tobago recently.
The Trinidadian wicketkeeper has been in a wretched patch of form, failing miserably in Australia earlier this year and against Zimbabwe last month.
Sammy said, however, the team would use the tournament to prepare for the World T20 Championship which bowls off in the Caribbean on April 30.
“This is an opportunity to prepare properly for the ICC World T20 tournament,” the St Lucian said.
“It is great to have Ramnaresh Sarwan and Jerome Taylor back after a break, and I know all the members of the team will be ready to contribute as we look forward to the big tournament at the end of the month.”
West Indies face Canada in the first T20 on Saturday at the Trelawney Multi-Purpose Stadium.
SQUAD – Darren Sammy (captain), Denesh Ramdin, Lionel Baker, Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Shiv Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Andre Fletcher, Wavell Hinds, Nikita Miller, Ravi Rampaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Jerome Taylor.
