Published: Aug 10, 2016, 11:51 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 10, 2016, 12:21 PM (IST)
There are great players who have stands or bowling ends named on them and then there is a rare bunch who have stadiums named after them. Darren Sammy falls in the second category. He may not boast of the numbers that will make you place him in the list of cricket legends but has done enough to be the saving grace for the fading legacy of West Indies cricket.
You simply do not end up as two-time World Cup winning skipper. Sammy is great leader and St Lucia is his country, where he enjoys demigod status. Inside the Darren Sammy Stadium, debutant Alzarri Joseph was giving Indian batsmen a tough time and outside, a bunch of Sammy fans protested against the unceremonious sacking of Sammy from the West Indies T20 side. ALSO READ: 25 little-known facts about Darren Sammy
Earlier, there were calls for boycott of the Test by many fans on social media, but then popular stars like musician Mr Vegas insisted people rather go to the stadium and show their support for their hero. Sammy’s father too was a part of the mini crowd that gathered outside the stadium to protest, however, he walked away when his son made an appearance.
Yes, Sammy arrived on the ground to meet the West Indian team and wish them. He pacified the protestors. Sammy addressed the gathering like a true gentleman that he is, and a report from Indian Express quoted him, “I understand your passion and appreciate your love for me. But guys let’s be peaceful. Do not make it a scene. It’s up to selectors to pick or drop me. Let us not get into that. I am here to see my boys play. Whether I am in the team or not, I always want to cheer for my team. As you are all my friends, I expect this from you too. Let’s make St Lucia proud and cheer for West Indies.” ALSO READ: In Darren Sammy’s St Lucia, no cricket without him
The St. Lucian’s words were followed with an applause and peace followed soon. The protestors them posed for selfies and queued for autograph. Often it’s the aura of some individuals which mesmerises and inspires, Sammy belongs to that category.
