Perhaps the only time the eternally smiling Darren Sammy lost his rag on a cricket field was against Australia during the World T20 last year.
That night in Dhaka, he raced past Australia’s fielders after biffing the winning runs, roaring in passionate fury in their direction. That, though, is Australia, a team that has turned getting under an opponent’s skin into an art-form. With India, the feelings are often more brotherly.
“Most teams, if you ask the players, they will tell you that when they play Australia, it’s always a pumped-up match,” Sammy said at the Murdoch University sports oval here on Tuesday.
“You won’t see the type of celebrations that we had against Australia against India. It’s a different type of energy. It’s good to have friends but when you cross the line it’s business. We play well and we enjoy each other’s company on the cricket field and we compete against each other.”
That friendship has been fostered not only by historical links but also more recent engagement in the IPL. This has the effect of making India and the West Indies familiar to each other as they prepare for their Group ‘B’ clash at the WACA ground here on Friday.
“Whenever you go into a battle, it’s always good to know some strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. It’s something that the IPL has created, it’s an opportunity to play and familiarise with the Indian players.
“But it’s vice versa. They too familiarise with guys who play in the IPL and they too will come up with their plans,” he said. The West Indies abandoned its tour of India midway last year but Sammy denied that would have any effect on relationships.
“Well, it’s something we have put behind us. What happened in India, especially with the relationship we have with India and the way we enjoy playing with India — something like that should not happen. I think the fans were robbed of an opportunity to see two teams that enjoy playing against each other.
“I don’t think that will affect this match; it’s the World Cup.”
Chris Gayle did not train with the West Indies team, although he was present at the oval, and was seen walking gingerly. Sammy, denied, however, that the condition of his back was serious.
“Chris Gayle’s back has been the same for the last three years but he continues to turn up and perform for us. He is a senior player and once he is fit and he believes he could make it, he will turn up and give his all for the team,” he said.
Sammy admitted that the bowling had not been consistent. “We don’t create enough pressure on the opposition when we bowl but when we get it right and be consistent, we compete with the best in the world,” he said.
“The WACA is one of the quickest wickets in the world, but that said, India is playing really well. It’s not that our fast bowlers will come and blast the batsmen out. You still need to put the ball in the right areas.”
Sammy also had a festive greeting for his Indian friends. “India could celebrate Holi and we could hopefully celebrate win.”
