New Captain for West Indies Cricket  · Global Voices
Matthew Hunte

The West Indies Cricket Board has announced its team for the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy, but what has the region talking is the decision to replace St. Lucian Darren Sammy with Trinidad-born all rounder Dwayne Bravo as captain of the One Day International (ODI) team.
On the Facebook group West Indies Cricket Fans Association (WICFA), Shaka O'Neal wondered about the reasoning behind the decision:
How can you justify taken (sic) the captaincy from Sammy in limited overs, 50 overs but keep him in the 20/20 and test makes no sense to me.
Ezra Hinds understood the rationale but didn't understand the specific appointment:
I support the change from Sammy at the top in the ODI because I have long said that I would like to be able to groom someone in this format. ODI cricket is really losing importance. I see it being slowly and painfully phased out so no bother really.
My problem is the lowered intelligence required to even consider DJ Bravo as a captain of the WI. I really hope one of the franchises calls him during one of the tours later in the year and I hope that Sammy doesn't take it back. We certainly have not done any worse under Sammy as captain and to give that as the reason for the change is very unfortunate.
Randy Wilson wondered who will be the new scapegoat when the team loses:
Sammy out of (sic) Captain so who will people pick on.  when wi start losing [they] don't even got Dr Smith in de team to pick on.  I really don't think Sammy[‘s] captaincy is wi problem.  wi problem is de team consistency in performance. I [hope]…that [in] this champion trophy that wi prove me wrong [and] win the final one.  Sammy[‘s] captaincy have (sic) put de foundations and another captain will build de building.  Sammy have (sic) setup a very [good] attitude in wi – the nver give up attitude – and now lead by a nxt captain can carry wi forward. I'm just hoping for the best in wi [and] to have two troph[ies] in a round in de cabinet of wi.
Sunil Asokan didn't see why there was a need to change leadership at this time:
I don't see the point of a captaincy change. In my opinion Sammy adds more value to the limited overs teams then he does to the Test team. So for me he's an automatic pick for the limited overs versions of the game (both). Man just led the team to a freaking world cup. I have no problems in general with him tactically. A few things here and there that I disagree with but nothing to throw a hissy fit over. If he makes the team he should lead it as far as I'm concerned.
David Springer felt that nationalism and insularity were behind the decision:
I am not surprised at this, the trinis have played their cards well. We now have a captain with a background of refusing to commit himself to the WI and of playing his heart out for the IPL [Indian Premier League] and coming home and reporting tired for WI duty. We have basically put one of the old guard who supported the lack of professionalism that was taking us nowhere back in charge with all of his lieutenants present. Only person missing is Chanderpaul and that's a possibility now too. The regression of WI cricket is about to begin. Next will be the removal of Sammy from the test captaincy which will be followed by the voluntary departure of Gibson as coach.
Meanwhile, over at the Facebook group Saint Lucians Aiming for Progress (S.L.A.P),  Wendy Michael thought that this decision may be for the best:
The silver lining is that he doesn't carry the weight on (sic) the world and everyone's expectations on his shoulders anymore; that couldn't have been easy. He can't be blamed for the sky going grey, or the players’ lack of enthusiasm or the wind blowing in the wrong direction!
Finally, Simeon Christophe maintained that Sammy had done well under pressure:
You see folks from day one they criticized Sammy and questioned his ability both as leader and as player but time after time he proved himself, kept his composure and did the job. The kitchen called West Indies cricket ain't easy and only the best cooks can stand the heat. Sammy stood the test of time as far as I am concerned. As my mother always says, time is longer than twine. One thing for sure, Sammy will continue playing cricket just as he did when he was criticized by all local regional and international, from players to media officials and supporters. I am sure today those very former critics are questioning this move because over time Sammy did prove his worth as leader. You gotta give jack his jacket.