Darren Sammy announces retirement from Test cricket following axing as Windies captain

Sydney: West Indian all-rounder Darren Sammy has reportedly announced his retirement from Test cricket following his axing as captain of the longest format of the game in favour of wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin.

However, Sammy, who played in 38 Tests and all but eight of them as skipper, remains the captain of the Twenty20 team and also intends to continue playing ODI cricket.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) confirmed Sammy's announcement in a statement, adding that Sammy had thanked the directors, the selectors and team management for the confidence shown in him as a player and captain, which he served as from October 2010 to May 2014.

The report mentioned that Sammy, albeit well-liked and respected, often batted low down the order in Test cricket and his medium-pace bowling was much less effective than in shorter forms of the game raising questions as to whether he merited a place in the team.

Sammy, who averaged 21.68 with the bat and made only one Test century and took 84 Test wickets at an average of 35.79, led his side to eight Test wins, 12 losses and 10 draws, the report added.