KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Windward Islands will be without West Indies captain Darren Sammy for their opening round match in the Regional Four-Day Championship against Jamaica starting Friday but coach Ian Allen says his absence will be a chance for other players in the unit to shine.
The Liam Sebastien-led side arrived here Tuesday evening for their clash with the four-time defending champions, which is carded for Sabina Park.
“Sammy is out of the team on a request of the West Indies Cricket Board for our first match,” Allen told the Jamaica Gleaner.
“He has had a long couple of years in terms of constant cricket and the understanding is that they want him to get some rest for the upcoming Australian series.
“His absence will be a loss, but I don’t want to put it down to a big loss. It gives others the opportunity to lead the team and to represent the Windward Islands and stake a claim for a permanent spot.”
Allen pointed out that the Windwards excelled last season without the Windies skipper who was on overseas duty.
In fact, they made the final four of the tournament before losing out to Combined Campuses and Colleges.
“We played the whole season last season without Sammy and we made the semi-finals. So it is just for somebody to step in and give us that extra boost, knowing that somebody of his quality is missing,” Sebastien pointed out.
“It will be difficult playing against Jamaica as Jamaica have a lot of talented players. But cricket is a very funny game. It is played on the day and is a matter of who execute their plans best.”
In Sammy’s absence, much will depend on the experienced opener Devon Smith, Andre Fletcher and off-spinner Shane Shillingford all of whom are West Indies players.
SQUAD – Liam Sebastien (captain), Dalton Polius, Kavem Hodge, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Lindon James, Delorn Johnson, Keddy Lesporis, Garey Mathurin, Nelon Pascal, Kenroy Peters, Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith.
