T&T's wicketkeeper/batsman Denesh Ramdin is ready for the challenge of captaining the regional cricket team. This is the word from the man who was announced by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to lead the West Indies against New Zealand in a three-Test series starting early next month.On Thursday, the T&T Guardian reported exclusively that Ramdin was the man to take over the regional team and after a lengthy teleconference on Thursday night, the directors of the WICB decided to go with the gloveman.
The man born on Sesame Street, Preysal, takes over from Darren Sammy, who served in the post from October 2010 to May 2014. Ramdin was long groomed for the job as he was the standing West Indies Test vice captain and previously served as West Indies Under-19 and 'A' Team captains.The 29-year-old has played 56 Tests in addition to 109 One Day Internationals (ODI) and 46 Twenty20 (T20) Internationals.The Board of Directors of the WICB approved the recommendation which was made by the West Indies selection panel chaired by Clyde Butts and with Robert Haynes, Courtney Browne and head coach Ottis Gibson as members.
In an immediate response Ramdin told the T&T Guardian that he was delighted to serve West Indies cricket as captain and he is confident that he would get the respect of all his peers."I have always shown everyone their respect on the West Indies team and it is time that respect is now due."I have never had any altercation with any of the players, as we have enjoyed great relations and I expect this to continue and even get better."It is something very special to represent the people of the West Indies and to be named to the lead the Test team and chart the course forward is humbling and extra special. I thank the WICB for affording me this incredible opportunity and I also thank the TTCB for the opportunity to lead T&T.
"I am taking over from Darren who did a good job while he was at the helm. He is a very humble and hardworking cricketer and during his time at the helm we won six matches and gave his all to the job."My first assignment will be against New Zealand at home and this promises to be a very exciting series. I am a very calm individual and I will bring that level of calmness to the job and to the team as we look to move forward and build a winning Test team which will make the people of the West Indies proud."Sammy offered his support to Ramdin in a public comment saying: "Congratulations to Ramdin on being named Test captain. God's speed brother as you look to take us forward. Thanks to all for the support."
Ramdin's first appointment in his new role will be the West Indies versus New Zealand Test in Jamaica starting on June 8. The second Test at the Queen's Park Oval in Port-of-Spain will be his first as Test captain on home soil.Ramdin is only the second West Indian wicketkeeper to have been formally appointed Test captain following Gerry Alexander. (Ridley Jacobs was named captain for a series against Bangladesh when Carl Hooper was injured.)Since his return to Test cricket in 2012, Ramdin has scored 728 runs at an average of 42.8 with three centuries.
The appointment of Ramdin as Test captain is also historic as it is the first occasion on which the West Indies will have three separate appointed men's international captains.
The position will again be up for review next year.
West Indies Men's Captains
West Indies Test captain�Denesh Ramdin
West Indies ODI captain�Dwayne Bravo
West Indies Twenty20 captain�Darren Sammy