By Marlon Munroe
Darren Sammy continues to stake his claim for permanence in the West Indies team and from all indications he is ready for additional responsibilities especially after his match-winning performance against Ireland in the West Indies team’s first match of the ICC World T20 championships on Friday at the Providence National Stadium.
Speaking at the post-match press conference the St. Lucia-born Sammy said that he was striving to be more consistent and that hopefully the selectors will recognise and make the necessary steps.
The 26-year-old all rounder also indicated that he was more serious and ready to accept more responsibility since he was allowed to captain the Caribbean side at the recent Jamaican Cricket Festival (JCF).
“First of all I am just looking to be a permanent member in the 11 and I am looking to improve with every game I play.
“I would like to step up and be more consistent but it will be up to the selectors and the people in charge to put the leadership on me but so far I am just enjoying my cricket,” Sammy declared.
“Chris [Gayle] is doing an excellent job for us tonight we saw Bravo so I am not in any rush to take on leadership”, Sammy added.
Sammy, who took four catches, top scored with 30 runs and captured three wickets for eight runs against Ireland, said at the moment he was content with just contributing to the team. According to Sammy it was important that the team continues to play well especially since the fans have been behind them all the while.
He also urged the fans of the other territories to continue to support the team the same way Guyanese have been coming out to the stadium.
When asked what game plan he had in his head after the all-too-familiar middle-order collapse, Sammy said he was aiming to turn the strike over and then look for the boundaries.
Meanwhile, stand-in captain Dwayne Bravo said that he was proud of the team’s performance but said that the middle-order was a cause for concern. He maintained, however, that his bowlers would have delivered the goods to secure a victory despite the score that was posted.
“I am very happy with the way the guys went out and played. We got off to a good start and fell down in the middle but I was confident that the fellas were going to defend whatever total and that is the important thing,” Bravo assured.