GROS ISLET, St Lucia, CMC – Darren Sammy has been sacked as captain of St Lucia Stars, paying the price for the franchise’s woeful start to the Caribbean Premier League.
Stars have lost their first six matches of the campaign to be bottom of the six-team table with virtually no chance of making the playoffs.
Sammy, who has led the St Lucia franchise from its inception, has been replaced by Australian all-rounder Shane Watson.
“After six successive defeats in the 2017 season, the time is right to make a switch in leadership and incorporate some fresh thinking as the team completes this season and builds for 2018,” a franchise statement said Thursday.
“The Stars management would like to take this opportunity to thank Darren Sammy for his contribution as captain this season and throughout the last four editions of Hero CPL.”
Sammy’s form has been patchy, scoring 123 runs from six innings with a highest of 60 not out but the franchise confirmed he would remain a member of the set up.
“The Stars management would like to stress that Darren remains an important part of the St. Lucia Stars squad and his performances with both bat and ball will be vital for the rest of the 2017 tournament and in the future.”
Indian-American businessman Jay Pandya, who purchased the franchise ahead of the new season, said while Sammy was key member of the unit there was need for change in leadership following the poor run of form.
“However, after the results that we have seen over the first half of the 2017 Hero CPL, a change is needed to freshen things up as we look to win the remaining four fixtures this season.”
