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Sammy sacked as Windies T20 skipper

Allrounder reveals his fate via emotional Facebook post, cites disagreement with WICB

West Indies' ICC World Twenty20 winning captain Darren Sammy has been sacked from his post ahead of the forthcoming T20 series against India later this month.

Sammy communicated the news to his fanbase via a Facebook video post and has since spoken with media, citing his decision to speak out against the West Indies Cricket Board as what he perceives as the reason for his axing.

"It's solely because of what I said after the World Cup," Sammy told Caribbean sports channel Sportsmax, who said in the World T20 final presentation that he was yet to hear any words of support from the WICB and even forecast his own possible axing.

"I got a call yesterday morning, it was probably 30 seconds, from the chairman of selectors (Courtney Browne) telling me that they've reviewed the captaincy of T20 and I won't be captain anymore of the T20 team, (and) my performances have not merited selection in the squad," Sammy said in the Facebook video.

"That’s OK, I've always believed West Indies cricket is not about Darren Sammy.

"They are looking to the future and I want to wish the new captain – I don't know if it's out yet so I won't call any names – all the best as he looks to lead West Indies cricket and take it forward.

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"Obviously, throughout my captaincy, winning the two T20 World Cups has been the highlight. And these memories I will cherish for a long time.

"This is not me retiring from one-day or T20, it's just me thanking the fans and my players and the coaches I’ve worked with and WICB for letting me lead the side for the last six years.

"But for now the captaincy has come to an end and thank you people.

"I just know I played with my heart and soul whenever I stepped out on the cricket field."

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In the 2016 Caribbean Premier League, Sammy, who captains St Lucia Zouks, made 212 runs with a highest score of 59 at an average of 42.40, and took eight wickets, with a best of 3-18 at 7.60 runs per over.

West Indies are due to play India in two T20s on August 27 and 28 in Florida.

Sammy, 32, finishes his T20 captaincy stint with a 61.11 per cent win rate, having record 27 wins from 47 matches.

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It is the highest winning percentage from any T20 captain to have led their country in more than 30 matches.

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Barbadian opener Shai Hope has been added to the Windies Test squad ahead of the third Test in St Lucia, beginning next Tuesday.

Hope replaces Rajendra Chandrika, who tallied just 53 runs in four innings across the first two Tests.

India lead the four-Test series 1-0.