We take a glass half-full approach to life at the Reverse Sweep and we seem to have found a kindred spirit this week in the new West Indies captain Darren Sammy.
Even though he has just taken on possibly the hardest job in cricket other than perhaps the captaincy of Pakistan or being Ijaz Butt’s adjutant, Sammy is full of optimism.
This is despite facing an immediate in-box of problems. Firstly, two of his best players – former captain Chris Gayle and all-rounder Dwayne Bravo – have refused to sign WICB contracts, so they can be free to put Twenty 20 riches ahead of playing for the West Indies.
If that wasn’t enough then one of his other best players – Ramnaresh Sarwan – has been dropped from the squad for the imminent daunting tour of Sri Lanka. Moreover, Sammy faces a real challenge to inspire his team from the doldrums of being the seventh ranked test and eighth ranked one day side in the World.
But is Sammy – an eight cap test novice – worried? Of course he isn’t. He may be the most surprising international captaincy appointment since Chris Cowdrey, but he is completely undaunted by the mountain in front of him.
We particularly enjoyed what he said when explaining that it was time that the West Indies team put a smile on the face of their followers again:
"That's what Darren Sammy wants to do. Bring back the joy."
If positivity wins test matches then Sammy is already the equal of great test captains like Armstrong, Jardine, Brearley or Worrell. For making us smile with his optimism - let’s just hope it isn’t of the blind variety - Darren Sammy is a Reverse Sweep hero.
Where next?
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