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The following is a transcript of West Indies captain Darren Sammy’s post-game comments, transcribed by ESPNCricInfo, after he led his team to a four wicket win over England in the 2016 World Twenty20 Cup in India:
I want to thank the Almighty, because without him nothing is possible. We have a pastor in the team in Andre Fletcher, he keeps on praying. We are a praying team.
I’m really happy for this win and it’s something we are going to cherish for a long time.
I’ve said we have 15 match winners. Nobody gave us a chance but every game somebody stepped up and took responsibility. To see Carlos (Brathwaite) play like that in his debut World Cup, it’s just tremendous.
It shows the depth we have in the Caribbean in T20 cricket and hopefully with the right structure and development our cricket will continue to improve in one-day and Test cricket.
We started this journey… We all know we had… People were wondering whether we would play this tournament.
We had a lot of issues, we felt disrespected by our board, Mark Nicholas described our team as a team with no brains. All these things before the tournament just brought this team together.
Carlos Brathwaite sensationally hit four successive sixes off Ben Stokes in the last over as the West Indies stunned England by four wickets to win the World Twenty20 title.
(Copyright AFP2016/Dibyangshu Sarkar)
I really want to thank these 15 men; the ability to just put all those adversities aside and to come out and play this type of cricket in front of such passionate fans. It’s just tremendous.
I personally also want to thank the coaching staff, coach Phil (Simmons). He’s been through a lot. And to come here and the way he’s coached the team. He’s just brilliant.
All the other coaching staff, who have done their part. We had a new manager in this tournament in Rawle Lewis. He had never managed any team before.
He came here, we were at a camp in Dubai, but we had no uniforms, no printed… He left Dubai, went to Kolkata, that’s where he started. The trouble he went to, to get us in this uniform…
I got to give credit to the entire team here. It was us in our own little circle, this win we dedicate it to all our fans in the Caribbean.
Samuels was the man of the match as West Indies won by four wickets.
(Copyright AFP2016/Dibyangshu Sarkar)
Lastly, I really want to thank the heads of CARICOM. Throughout this tournament, they have been supporting the team.
We’ve got emails, we’ve got phone calls. (Grenada) Prime Minister (Keith) Mitchell. He sent a very inspiring email for the team this morning… And I’m yet to hear from our own cricket board. That is very disappointing.
For today, I’m going to celebrate with these 15 men and coaching staff. I don’t know when I’m going to be playing with these guys again because we don’t get selected for one-day cricket.
We don’t know when we’re going to be playing T20. So this win, I want to thank you my team, I want to thank you coaching staff …
Everybody know West Indies are champion!
Carlos Brathwaite sensationally hit four successive sixes off Ben Stokes in the last over as the West Indies stunned England by four wickets to win the World Twenty20 title.
(Copyright AFP2016/Dibyangshu Sarkar)
Editor’s Note: West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Dave Cameron tweeted, after the West Indies’ victory at 4 pm on 3 April 2016: “When is the last time a critic paid one of your bills? Always remember that when you start to give them your energy.”
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Lasana Liburd I want you to observe ttcb social media and see if they congratulated the men’s team specifically any of their players
Well it seemed something happened since his tweet. http://www.espncricinfo.com/westindies/content/story/995045.html
It reads as sincere to me. Dave Cameron can learn a thing or two from Nicholas
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2016/04/03/ben-stokes-will-be-hurting-for-a-long-time-but-he-will-recover-f/
“The West Indies were motivated by criticism to win this trophy and you cannot begrudge their joy after the final. This is a group of cricket islands that have gone through turmoil with the worst board in the world alienating their own players.
They have talent at all levels and can be strong in all formats if supported and rewarded properly. If that anger and determination to prove people wrong can be channelled the right way then the West Indies can be a force again in Test cricket.”
https://twitter.com/sachin_rt/status/716688353610039296
Says the great Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar to his 10.3 million twitter followers:
“WI players emerged true champions overcoming challenges on & off the field. West Indian Board should support them & address their concerns.”
As i said above – While I can see y the players have taken what Nicholas heart – fans have admit at times in other formats even these guys show weak cricket nous.
So Nicholas choice of words was bad. It wasn’t Tony Greig “I will make them grovel” 1976 bad. But Bad. So with the players already pissed with the board, his comment just added fire to players flames.
And even I’ll admit after the pre tournament turmoil and with Pollard, Narine, Simmons, Bravo ruled out – there was strong skepticism out there that team would not perform well under this stress.
However I’m not sure he deserves such abuse in general that i’ve – especially with some suggestion he is racist because he is one of best cricket broadcasters around.
The enemy was the WICB, so for me Sammy could have just attacked them in post match and not worry to mention Nicholas
Agree he’s one of the better commentators
Ye it was only in december he wrote a very balanced article about the team and the future of Windies cricket
http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/952847.html
Read again, Colin. Sammy was identifying ALL the things that made the team bond in the way that was obvious to all who have eyes to see. I was telling my friends from as early as after the England game that this team had a fire in its belly that West Indian teams have not shown since Walsh and Ambrose disappeared.
You shouild read today’s Telegraph piece saying that England was beaten by “brilliance” and try to work out (if you haven’t already done so) what was the real source of that “brilliance.”
Did you guess “hatred of the WICB”? “The desire to show ALL the naysayers who were still in doubt that this team has something special”?
Go to the head of the class.
So you are willing to give Nicholas the benefit of the doubt?
I agree with you but I wonder if it is that we are conditioned to be more accommodating to Nicholas’ sort.
Mark Nicholas apologizes to Darren Sammy. I don’t know whether he is being sincere or simply trying to protect his reputation as an analyst.
But at least in proper countries, you apologize when you realize you’ve been an idiot: http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/995027.html
Cameron put the p in pity.
Marlon Samuels waltzing in to fix West Indies’ problems… http://youtu.be/tfKL6RM8hsY
Marlon Samuels is the kinda bizarre uncle in every family reunion.
You wish he would keep quiet sometimes. But he is family still and you love his mad tail!
hahaha
It doesn’t apply to uncles alone though
True I guess. Lol.
Today we were grateful for Marlon..
I certainly was!
Yeah. He reminded me of why we keep his mad tail around. Like an annoying IT technician.
Samuels is more like an in-law; you can’t slap them down because yuh spouse will vex, so you just facilitate them.
Nah Samuels is simply uncouth.
Boy this is sad….Sammy took one for the team. Great forum to let the world know what’s really going on. How about some praise for Simmons too! Taking Ireland to where they were and now what he did with the West Indies! He’s a winner!
who requested an inquiry? the world knows why…. you mean to say they’re going to waste money to find out or send some ridiculous letters as per the norm? Why he apologizing for Sammy? He should be apologizing…… look nah let me switch this off before i really tell him what to shove his inquiry and how to address it…. steups
This man serious?
Madness!!!
well said samuels. everybody have something to say about u all. let dem talk with their mouth. u talk with the bat
Dong forget the coaches and support staff earl
Yeah true dat eh. lol
Hmm potential slight softening of stance from previous idiotic press release
“For immediate release
Sunday, April 3, 2016
WICB PRESIDENT HAS HIGH PRAISES FOR WORLD TWENTY20 ORGANISERS
St. John’s, Antigua – West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President, Dave Cameron has high praises for the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the BCCI (host organisation) for a most memorable 2016 ICC World Twenty20 tournament. Cameron thought that the “tournament was of the highest quality and the Indian fans and others from around the world, came out in full support of cricket.”
Obviously overjoyed that the West Indies teams took the double, Cameron noted that the tournament was “an all-round success.”
The President would like to however apologise for what could be deemed inappropriate, comments made by the West Indies’ male captain, Darren Sammy in a post-match interview and would like to apologize on behalf of the WICB, to the millions of fans who witnessed. The President has pledged to enquire the reason and will have the matter addressed.
Coming up in May this year, the Board will host its annual review (retreat) with the players, WIPA, selectors and the technical team to review player, management and technical plans. This will be done after the Indian Premier League. The President said further: There are players who are currently committed to playing in the T20 cricket leagues around the world and we are aware of that schedule, hence the plan to meet at that time. We want to see how we can find common ground in ensuring that the best players in the region are available for selection for West Indies teams. We are fully aware of the financial rewards on offer in the lucrative international T20 leagues, but we believe deeply in the importance of cricket to the people of the region and of West Indies cricket’s place in world cricket. It is therefore a priority to have all of our players competing and available for selection. We will also engage the ICC on this so that we protect not only the rich heritage and legacy of West Indies Cricket, but also its future. “
The sad part is that they have to play for West Indies in order to be seen by these other leagues. I hope all 15 of the West Indians gets lucrative deals from these leagues. They have to feed their family
Exactly! Braithwaite will be well paid based on his performance this series and the Final in particular. That should be the goal. Represent the islands then go rob the IPL/Big Bash/Super T20, etc.
But these fellas seem to think the development of WI cricket is funded by tips from tourists so everything earned is theirs.
This press release is saying that persons who choose the high paying T20 cricket leagues around the world over the low paying tournaments of the WICB will not be considered to represent the West Indies. In sum, the junior inexperienced persons will get game in WICB tournaments. Sammy et al., yuh just get yuh throats cut, in a nice way.
Softening, Colin? Where? What I see is an attempt to deflect attention away from the hard truths that Sammy shared with the world by suggesting that the Board is prepared to back away from its earlier position about requiring them ALL to play in the domestic tournaments. As if the Desmond Haynes debacle never happened!
When will this man ever learn? When? I will have a little more to say on this subject shortly. Somebody has to bite the bullet and I feel I know who that somebody – or those somebodies – is.
Please share this Internationally. Maybe the ICC could see the type of people in charge of our cricket.
Samuel has kind of warmed up to me. He didn’t have to put his feet up on the table. BUT he was speaking from the heart. He’s a big game batsman. He and holder are the only ones that still plays test. Somewhat cocky! This is the first time I hear him talk about the team. And for the Caribbean people
Don’t forget Braithwaite, Ramdin and Taylor
oh I does forget ramdin lol
I think I know why lol
Roneil K Walcott and taylor didn’t see a minute eh. Lol
First game?
Yeah he played the first game
It seems that is the same mentality with respect to all the sports in our sweet country eh, they always believe it is all about them and not our players eh, and our players should always be put first eh. Them really good yes.
Lol!!
Watttttt
Marlon Samuels’ extraordinary press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4uR06SKxCQ
and Morgan needs to be dealt with….
Lol. I find Samuels come across like Marlon Brando (godfather) in that one?. I could see him putting a hit on Shane Warne for the disrespect!
Marlon a real badman from long time
Marlon Samuels extraordinary press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4uR06SKxCQ
I didn’t really want to see the match, there was not a television anywhere that did not have the game on….. hadn’t realized someone remarked about no brains and got away with it…. had it been a Caribbean national wonder if he would have been allowed to play/ report on or commentate on cricket … EVER !!!
They already spite him Beena Gosine and all the members of the team who decided to play in Australia Big Bash and Pakistan Super league – instead of coming back to play in Super 50 & regional 4 day
http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/78053/players-not-playing-domestic-tournaments-ineligble-for-west-indies-cricket-squad-michael-muirhead
should have said “Spite him more” they boys fought well.
Beena Gosine
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, December 18, 2015
WICB WANTS BEST PLAYERS FOR REGIONAL COMPETITION
St. John’s, ANTIGUA – The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is calling on the
region’s top players to be available for the regional tournaments to ensure
that they remain eligible for selection for international competition.
With the WICB Professional Cricket League (PCL) now on a break and with the
3rd NAGICO Super50, schedule to bowl off on Thursday, January 7, “there is
an opportunity to have the best players compete for regional supremacy in
the upcoming events,” noted Chief Executive Officer, Michael Muirhead.
The CEO emphasised that “the Board has looked at its tournament schedule and
has placed each tournament at a time that allows our international players
to participate in other competitions overseas. We however value our
competitions and we think the fans would want to see our best players
compete against each other.”
Additionally, the CEO pointed out that “in the upcoming year, there are a
number of tours in and out of the region and with that amount of cricket
added, along with the phased roll out of the high performance program, the
players will have a chance at better preparing themselves for producing at
the highest level.”
Tournaments we can confirm so far are:
* NAGICO Super50 January 7 – 24
* Second round of the PCL February 11 – March 18
* World T20 March – April (India)
* International Home Series June – August
* CPL (Year 4) July – August
The CEO also noted that the Board will confirm any additional international
tours for the 2016 period but pointed out that in rebuilding our program “we
are keen on offering enough playing opportunities at home and abroad.”
Guyana Jaguars lead the first round of the PCL and are the defending
champions; Trinidad and Tobago are the defending champions of the NAGICO
Super50 and the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel are the defending CPL T20
Champions.
-ENDS-
For more information
Carole Beckford
Manager, Communications and Marketing
West Indies Cricket Board Inc.
haven’t kept up except with the Narine fiasco since mid last year.
You shouldn’t waste parts of your life like me keeping up – so your fine ha
i should if i want better management of the sport and a better all round product representing the region .
Well personally Sammy’s comments has given my ammunition to attack at least up until the next CARICOM meeting in July in Guyana.
If the board don’t get disband by then by CARICOM, like the majority of star players who are now ineligible for rest of year – I’m done writing about windies cricket.
Cause I’m not supporting no Windies team that who is being under-strength by idiotic and vindictive board policies
i’m with you!
Ah boy, Dave Cameron … classy as never!
Nevertheless, West Indies pulled out a deserved victory and are indeed fitting of the moniker … CHAMPION!
Hey Colin Benjamin I am waiting to see how the WICB going to spite Sammy for speaking the truth.
Total agreement!
Agreed.
Sammy told it as he saw it. Good for him. Shame on Dave Cameron and the rest of the WICB. They should all be fired on the spot that bunch of impotents who only seeking their own interest and not that of WI cricket. And our ownTTCB not backward either with their lack of support for our local players. Case in point their scant treatment of Narine. Another bunch of ass lickers.
You tell them, gyurl!
Ha well Ye that part was wild – but no biggie
And I did see the wanker doing the Champion dance when Sammy got out. Reminded me of Flintoff’s behaviour against the West Indies on a few occasions.
Who laughs last!
How can you do an international press conference with your feet up on the table? lol
Eh? Seriously? Lol. If it was Mark Nicholas’ table… Then sure. Never liked him either. Remember him well from that tour of England in 2005 that ended with West Indies taking the ICC Trophy!
Look at the vid clip in the article I posted above… It’s the Godfather speaking, lol
he was just missing a cigar
Seriously though, what do you expect from Marlon? he has always been straightfwd, arrogant, selfish, and supremely talented.
And we are better off with him in the team once he delivers.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-world-twenty20-2016/content/story/994985.html
This is hilarious! He just doh business! ???
Nothing surprises me with Marlon Samuels.
Warne was going overboard with his cheeky attacks on Samuels since the AUS tour – which for a cricket legend was over the top
So he look for that
Saw an ESPN article on Marlon Samuel’s press conference after the game. I know MS is upset but was a bit disappointed by the attitude portrayed.
And why on earth would “the attitude portrayed” upset you? You have a problem with truth? It is more palatable when sugar-coated? Or are you suggesting that MS said things that were NOT true?
If that was the proven way to motivate teams Darrin, everybody would do it. Messi and Ronaldo would get huge pay cuts immediately and be ordered to locate their own kit for big games. Lol.
Lasana ……you like bacchanal
Could be good inspiration for it. Lets see. I’m hopeful and positive about it
He then dedicated his man of the match award to Shane Warne. The Australian, working as a commentator at the World T20, has been less than complimentary about the Jamaican. Even during his match-winning knock, the words in praise of Samuels could barely be heard through gritted teeth. The pair were involved in an altercation during a Big Bash League game in 2012-13, when Warne threw the ball at Samuels, provoking the West Indian to throw his bat in the general direction of the bowler. Samuels, though, is unsure as to why Warne’s apparent dislike for him has gone on for so long.
“Shane Warne has a problem with me. I don’t know what – I’ve never disrespected him. It seems he has a lot inside him that needs to come out. I don’t appreciate the way he continues to talk about me. And the things he keeps doing. I don’t know – maybe it’s because my face is real and his face is not.”
Sammy, meanwhile, took aim at Mark Nicholas, who had written before this event for Cricinfo that West Indies were “short of brains”. “I’m done with Mark,” said a clearly riled Sammy. “This tournament, with all that happened before … The disrespect from journalists, from our own cricket board. That was out of order. The only way we could make a statement was by winning this tournament. When you see these 15 men playing out there with hunger and passion, it all stems from what has been boiling inside.”
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/apr/03/marlon-samuels-ben-stokes-shane-warne
Congratulations to our women and the men on both their victories, now it is for our Soca Warriors to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia……BOOM.
BOOM is right. They will. The challenge becomes tougher and all it takes is our nation to support 100% as well as our players 100%. I heard from an Equdorian man saying that we will. Hmmmm. Nice to hear.
I heard they didn’t even provide them with money for new uniforms. Need a serious shaking up of that board
Well that’s true cause how else could he be reelected
The TTCB and all the other territorial boards that keep him in place are part of the problem.
“The country’s cricket is not in right hands. We have not got a telephone call from any of the WICB officials or directors. That’s not a good thing. We know that they did not want or believe that we could win this tournament. It was basically us against them. Even the BCCI does more for us,” Bravo told ‘Star Sports’ in a post-final interview.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-t20/bcci-gives-us-more-support-than-wicb-dwayne-bravo-after-wt20-title-win/story-S2Qs6hcrNygW9QFHwbBQrL.html
I saw that I found it to be rather asinine of him. He and the board did a disservice to the team and the fool knows it. Despite the odds set against them they prevailed. So it’s time he be set out to pasture
Editor’s Note: West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Dave Cameron tweeted, after the West Indies’ victory at 4 pm on 3 April 2016: “When is the last time a critic paid one of your bills? Always remember that when you start to give them your energy.”
Straight and to the point
And what, Colin, do you find defensible in that? Why should Sammy not have targeted him? Are you comfortable with people saying that you have no brains? Can you get more than one (pejorative!) meaning out of that?
For me, the skipper is not criticising Mark Nicholas; he is criticising what he (and so many others who said nothing publicly) think about him, his team and mind you, by extension, all of us.
The now infamous Mark Nicholas article and quote for those who never saw it:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/977747.html
“Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh are short of class but will cope okay with the conditions. West Indies are short of brains but have IPL history in their ranks. New Zealand are worth a look for they have a savvy bunch of scrappers and some mighty hitting power to boot.”
Well they made all of the naysayers eat their words
While I can see y the players have taken it to heart – even I’ll admit at times in other formats even these guys show weak cricket nous.
So Nicholas choice of words was bad.
However I’m not sure he deserves such abuse in general – especially with some suggestion he is racist because he is one of best cricket broadcasters around.
The enemy was the WICB, so for me Sammy could have just attacked them in post match and not worry to mention Nicholas
I don’t particularly like Nicholas. But I thought his words were more clumsy than anything else. It isn’t a crime to think a team isn’t smart enough.