Daren Sammy discussed Nicholas Pooran’s retirement, who, like many others, has recently preferred to play in franchise-based T20 competitions rather than national teams for a variety of reasons. Sammy met with reporters after the third T20I against England, which the West Indies lost 0-3. He was asked about the retirements of Pooran, Klaasen, and others.
Sammy claimed that his instinct warned him of such an event occurring. Sammy stated that he would have like to have someone like Pooran on his side, but that he could not control a player’s career. The West Indies head coach was relieved that Pooran made his decision so early, with the T20 World Cup in 2026 not far away.
“My senses told me something similar would happen. I would love to have a skill like that on our team. However, I cannot influence anyone’s career. I wished him the best, and he did the same for the squad. It is time to move on from developing a game plan without Nicholas Pooran. With the World Cup approaching, I appreciate that he informed us early enough to allow us more time to organise without him,” Sammy stated via.
Given the way T20 cricket works, the former captain believes that more cricketers will follow Pooran’s lead. The two-time T20 World Cup winner believed it was up to individuals to urge their teammates to play for the West Indies. He mentioned that Heinrich Klaasen, Quinton De Kock, and Glenn Maxwell had followed a similar approach.
“I’m very sure more will come in that attitude and direction. That’s the way T20 cricket is now, and coming from the West Indies, with the issues we experience in keeping our players motivated to play for the crest, I’m not surprised. Everyone talked about Heinrich Klaasen, Quinton de Kock, and other retired players. “It is beyond our control,” Sammy continued.
Daren Sammy not surprised by international retirements
The West Indian claimed to be not surprised a bit with Pooran’s decision and claimed what he said in the team meeting before the West Indies’ third T20I against England. He claimed the need for the players to play the brand of cricket that entertains fans who come to watch them play for three hours or more. WI will play Ireland in a T20I series of 3 matches to conclude their tour of the United Kingdom.
“Surprised? No, I’m not surprised. I said something to the guys in the team meeting today: we don’t have control. It’s up to each individual to understand what the brand and the crest mean, and come out and play a brand that those people come and travel three hours to watch you play because of what the crest means to them,” Sammy said.
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