West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) director Baldath Mahabir says that new West Indies (WI) Test captain Denesh Ramdin has inherited a "crown of thorns."Mahabir said leading the WI is not an easy one and although he is in top office as far as regional cricket is concerned, it will not be easy for him."I think that Denesh has inherited a 'crown of thorns.' He has inherited a crown that is not easy to wear and we think that he is capable and hence why he has been given the opportunity."
T&T's Ramdin was given the job as WI Test captain, taking over from St Lucian Darren Sammy who led the regional side for the last four years. We now have a unique situation in West Indies cricket where we have three captains presently.While Ramdin takes care of the Test team, Dwayne Bravo is in charge of the one-day team and Sammy remains the man at the helm of the T20 team.Mahabir said: "It is never an easy job to lead men from different backgrounds. Ramdin has to command respect from the guys and the best way to do this is to go about his job in such a way, so as to earn it."This is not going to be an easy assignment for him because in addition to being the leader, he has to keep wickets and also bat in the middle/lower order."
Ramdin's first assignment will be against New Zealand in a three-Test series that starts on May 7 in Jamaica. The occasion will also mark the 100th Test match for hurricane opener Chris Gayle."Ramdin would appreciate the fact that his first assignment is against New Zealand. We have a good record against them in the Caribbean and he would want to get a win to start off his tenure as leader."He would have to get the players believing in themselves and also buying into the fact that they have one common purpose."Mahabir said Sammy did not do a bad job but the selectors thought that change was needed and this was the right time to bring in someone new to the position."I would like to thank Darren Sammy for his contribution as captain of the team and to wish him all the best in his future endeavours. At the same time the selectors would have thought that a change in leadership was needed at this critical juncture and they recommended Ramdin to the board, who ratified the decision."