Kingston, JAMAICA – The West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) extends its thanks to Darren Sammy for his service to West Indies Test cricket.

WIPA’s President and CEO Wavell Hinds said “He (Sammy) was a valued player and led the team admirably throughout his tenure as captain. We are sadden but respectful of his decision to retire from the longer format of the game, and we wish him all the best.”

Sammy was replaced as the West Indies Test captain by Denesh Ramdin last week and subsequently announced his retirement from the longest format of the game. However, he retained the captaincy of the Twenty20 team and is available for limited-overs selection.

The Windward Islands all-rounder played 38 Tests for the West Indies and captained the teams in 30 of those matches. He was instrumental in leading the West Indies during the emergence of franchise Twenty20 cricket that left the West Indies without several of its premier players.

WIPA also extends its best wishes to new Test captain Ramdin who will lead the team in the 2014 Digicel Home Series against New Zealand.

“Ramdin is a tactical thinker, we will give our support while we expect great things from him as the new captain of the West Indies Test team” said WIPA’s President and CEO Wavell Hinds.