Sammy on Pooran's retirement from international cricket: "More players will follow his lead
Sammy on Pooran's retirement from international cricket: "More players will follow his lead
West Indies Head Coach Daren Sammy believes more players could follow Nicholas Pooran in retiring from international cricket, despite remaining available for franchise cricket.
West Indies coach Daren Sammy believes that Nicholas Pooran’s unexpected retirement from international cricket highlights the challenge of keeping players motivated to represent their country. He also predicts that more players may follow Pooran’s path.
Pooran, 29 years old, announced his retirement on Monday, despite being West Indies’ top scorer in T20Is. He never played Test cricket, and his last ODI was two years ago. His decision came just eight months before the T20 World Cup, surprising many, especially since he is already a high earner in franchise cricket.
Sammy’s Thoughts on Pooran’s Exit
Sammy, who led the West Indies to two T20 World Cup titles (2012 & 2016), was not shocked by Pooran’s announcement. He had suspected it before the official news and had already begun planning for the team’s future without him.
Sammy shared that Pooran had messaged him privately and that he also spoke with his agent. When they first discussed Pooran’s availability for the UK tour, Sammy sensed that his absence might be long-term rather than temporary.
Despite wanting Pooran in the team, Sammy knows he can’t control a player’s career decisions. He respected Pooran for informing the team early, allowing them time to prepare for life without him before the World Cup.
Passion for West Indies Cricket
Speaking to his team ahead of their T20I match in Southampton, Sammy emphasized the pride of playing for the West Indies. He spoke about fans’ loyalty, noting how many have been supporting the team for decades, travelling long distances just to watch them play.
He urged his players to understand the value of the West Indies crest and play with passion. However, he acknowledged that he can’t force players to stay—each cricketer must decide their own path.
The Growing Trend of Early Retirement
Sammy expects more players to retire early, especially in the T20 era. He pointed to South African stars Heinrich Klaasen and Quinton de Kock, who also retired from international cricket in their early 30s, following a similar pattern.
West Indies struggled without Pooran in England, losing both their ODI and T20I series 3-0. Now, they move on to their three-match T20I series in Ireland, starting Thursday.
West Indies’ Bowling Concerns
Sammy identified bowling as the team’s biggest issue, after conceding 628 runs in 58.3 overs during the T20I series against England. In Southampton alone, they leaked 248 runs, showing their struggle to contain opponents.
He stressed that the bowlers need more discipline under pressure and that fixing their bowling strategy is a major focus with the T20 World Cup approaching in eight months.
Sammy remains optimistic, believing the West Indies have enough time and matches to build a stronger bowling combination before the World Cup. He also trusts his batters to perform consistently, but knows that without solid bowling, they cannot keep chasing high totals.
The road ahead is challenging, but Sammy is determined to find solutions and guide his team towards success.