HAMILTON, New Zealand, CMC- A hamstring injury has ruled West Indies T20 captain Darren Sammy out of the two T20 matches against New Zealand later this month.
Sammy suffered his injury when he was running around a damp outfield in Queenstown before the third One Day International (ODI).
His place has been taken by left-arm spinner Nikita Miller.
“Darren is undergoing treatment and should be fit to return to playing duties in time for the Regional Super50 Tournament which starts later this month in Trinidad,” said West Indies team physiotherapist C.J. Clark.
Dwayne Bravo, the one-day captain, will lead the side in the T20 series scheduled for Auckland and Wellington Saturday and next week Wednesday.
West Indies’ squad has been severely depleted in recent weeks as a result of injury to a number of players resulting in only 12 fit players to choose from for the last ODI in Nelson.
Apart from Chris Gayle, who is recovering from a hamstring injury and injured Sammy, Marlon Samuels with a wrist injury and Darren Bravo have flown home while Ravi Rampaul suffered a broken finger although he remains on the tour.
Kemar Roach and Kieran Pollard are also missing – Pollard is still recovering from a knee injury.
Three additional players – Andre Fletcher, Andre Russell and Samuel Badree –have joined the squad in New Zealand and Russell, the allrounder is reportedly being considered for selection for the final ODI in Hamilton.
