‘I haven’t closed that door’ – Daren Sammy hopeful of making West Indies comeback

That Daren Sammy hasn’t donned the West Indies colours since guiding them to glory in the 2016 World T20 can spring a lot of surprise. But it’s open secret that his disagreement with the West Indies Cricket Board and then president Dave Cameron might have led to his ouster from the team.

Even as at the age of 36, Sammy’s comeback into the Caribbean setup looks bleak, the veteran all-rounder hasn’t given up on hopes just yet. Sammy hasn’t played any cricket ever since he represented the Peshawar Zalmi in the 2020 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

After staying out of the game for nearly six months, Sammy is set to return, captaining the St Lucia Zouks in the 2020 Caribbean Premier League (CPL), starting August 18 in Trinidad.

I have not retired, says Daren Sammy

“I have had a lot of soul searching and reflection in the past few months. Anybody who’s been at home in the lockdown all these months would not have done justice to themselves if they didn’t glean over things,” Sammy was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

“I have not retired. I have not closed that door and if I take care of what I have to do for St Lucia and get us to the playoffs along with my own very good performances that will certainly make selectors take notice of it,” he stated.

The Zouks have been the under-achievers in the tournament, having mostly finished at the bottom-half of the points table. Sammy was removed as their skipper in 2018, but he got back his position after Kieron Pollard moved to the Trinbago Knight Riders last season.

Going into the tournament, Sammy is hopeful of knocking on the doors of the national selectors. “I’m actually just going into this tournament to do better for myself and St. Lucia. That is the focus this year and if I do well at that it will raise a few eyebrows as well for other things,” Sammy added.

Sammy has played international cricket in 2017, though for the World XI against Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. As for the Zouks, Sammy’s men will commence CPL 2020 on Wednesday, August 19 against the Jamaica Tallawahs.