Saxton Oval, Nelson, 16th of February 2015, West Indies’ 1st game of the 2015 World Cup, the first “big upset” of the tournament took place when Ireland chased down 305 with almost 5 overs to go. Problem was, this wasn’t really an “upset”. Ireland, for years now had shown that they were more than capable of challenging what the cricketing world considered as top teams and the West Indies, in those same years had shown that they were slowly falling behind.
Batting 1st, the Windies talisman Chris Gayle had mishit his way to 36 off 64 while Marlon Samuels made 21 off 41 – hardly inspiring stats from a West Indian perspective. The fact that they were able to post such a formidable score is a miracle in itself courtesy of some amazing batting by Darren Sammy and Lendl Simmons. The Irish chase was measured and ultimately comfortable, Windies legend Ian Bishop described it as “like snatching candy from the hand of a baby”.
Constant changes in the governing body, players preferring franchise cricket to the international game and controversial decisions by the board meant that the “Calypso Kings” weren’t always able to field their best team and it was becoming glaringly apparent that they just couldn’t compete with the top teams, particularly in the longer formats. This time it was young Jason Holder who was given the duties of leading a team that had been having persistent disputes with their Cricket board for as long as one could remember.
The 2015 World Cup did not end favourably for the Windies, 3 wins, against Pakistan, Zimbabwe and UAE didn’t make up for the huge losses at the hands of Ireland, South Africa, India and New Zealand, the latter knocking them out of the championships at the quarter final stage.
****************************** *********************************
Fast forward to 13 months later, the Eden Gardens echoes with shouts of “Champion Champion”, there is dancing in the stands, Marlon Samuels is bare-chested and screaming – the mighty West Indies are World Champions once again.
Sure, you may argue that they have always been a more competitive team in the shortest format, a notion that certainly has merit, but if you look at the way they have played, not just the results, it is clear that there has been somewhat of a shift. Here was a group players, all individually brilliant, coming together to form a formidable team. In these past 3 weeks, the West Indies have been an inspiration. They have played the game with a passion and spirit that we have rarely seen.
In Darren Sammy they have found the man to lead a team that has been described as a group only interested in personal gain, a group of mercenaries. Like Holder, Sammy too started off as the establishment’s man, pushed into leadership because the “superstars” were striking. He hasn’t always won the support of those superstars, but the game has turned him into the most passionate voice against the establishment.
In his post-match interview after winning the championship a clearly emotional Sammy said, “the disrespect, from commentators, journalists, from our own cricket board, that was out of order. The only way we could make a statement was by winning this tournament”
Of course this isn’t Sammy’s 1st stint as skipper and this also isn’t the 1st time he has been outspoken about the support, or lack thereof, from the WICB. There is something to be said about the fact that Sammy has been at the helm on both occasions when the Windies claimed world titles in the last decade. In the 2012 final, right here in Colombo, he contributed big. He took 23 off the last two overs of the innings to lead West Indies from a mediocre score to a challenging and ultimately match winning one. This year, in 6 games, he batted thrice, making 0, 6 and 2. He was no better with the ball, picking up 1 wicket for 31 runs, having bowled just 3 overs over the course of the entire tournament. Just let that sink in for a moment, here was the captain of the West Indies team, seemingly surplus to the team’s requirements.
Statistically, Sammy has failed at least in this tournament (except for the fact that he won 6 tosses in a row). But the truth of the matter is that the West Indies have not required him. He and his band of superstars, turned this tournament into a statement…. They were determined to win this tournament as an “in your face” statement to all their detractors, including their very own board.
In the field he has been innovative and inspiring, using his bowling options masterfully to restrict teams. He has also taken any criticism of his team and its individuals as a personal insult. He has been able to identify and utilize the strengths of his teammates almost to a fault, whether it be Samual Badree’s bowling in the powerplay or Andre Russel’s big hits in the death overs.
What has stood out for me most is his passion and the belief he has shown in his teammates. Darren Sammy has always been a man who has played the game with joy, but this time we saw a different side of him. Over the last 3 weeks, Darren Sammy has been an angry man. Yes he has had a smile on his face, leading the team in their “Champion” dance, roaring from the dugout, but underneath it all, he has been determined to get back at all who have wronged him and his team.
Nelson Mandela once said that “It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front” and Sammy has done just that. He has allowed the Gayles, Samuels, Russells and Bravos to savour the limelight. He has helped the Braithwaites, Simmons, Fletchers and Charles to express themselves. He has instilled belief in the Benns, Badrees and Ramdins.
In cricket we see different types of leaders all the time. We have guys like MS Dhoni, who is sort of like the big man on campus, he’s in charge and everyone knows it. He is one of the best players in the team, if not the best. Then we have players like Graeme Smith, guys whose tactical acumen is of utmost importance to their teams’ chances of success, even more important than actual runs or wickets. Leaders like Steve Waugh on the other hand, they lead from the front, they carry their teams over sometimes by sheer willpower. Three different styles, the success of each depends on the leader as well as the other members of the team. Darren Sammy on the other hand is a different sort. He is a match winner in his own right, able to turn a game on its head when he gets going but the mental aspect of the game is undeniable. In short what Darren Sammy has done is unquantifiable, he has found a way to unite a team full of superstars and his men have rallied.
