Change of captain no guarantee of success, says Mike Findlay

Denesh Ramdin

Port of Spain (Trinidad), May 12 (IANS/CMC) Former West Indies chairman of selectors Mike Findlay says there is no guarantee the change of captaincy will result in a turnaround in the Test fortunes of the regional team.

Long-standing captain Darren Sammy was axed on Friday in favour of wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin, with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) noting their intention of “getting maximum performance for each format of the game.”

However, Findlay told the Trinidad Express newspaper only time would tell if the change would be successful, reports CMC.

“In fairness to the selectors, they are in a desperate situation now. Whether it is the right time or not depends on what happens form here on,” said Findlay, a wicketkeeper who played 10 Tests for the West Indies between 1969 and 1973, and went on to also serve as a team manager.

“Sammy was put as captain with the hope that he would improve the performance of the team. It materialised very briefly. The move [to replace him] is a hope rather than anything else, because let’s face it, performance is what is important and the West Indies team has not been performing.”

Sammy led the West Indies in 30 of his 38 Tests, winning eight, losing 12 and drawing ten. His replacement Ramdin has led the West Indies in a single One-Day International and three Twenty20s but has never captained in Tests.

With the latest move leaving the West Indies with different captains for each of the three formats, Findlay believes only two captains are necessary.

“I think the two captains are ideal, one for Twenty20s and One-days and one for the Tests,” the 70-year-old said.

“If you have three captains it’s always difficult because they have different ways of leading, so you will always be adjusting to the leadership on the field of three people.”