BY Dillinger
I thought Sammy was a very good on field captain. However, I was surprised by just how bad his T20I numbers have been over the last 2 years:
51 runs with the bat in 8 innings with a high score of 20*. His average (10.20) and strike-rate (123.39) are both far below his career averages.
With the ball, he bowled in just 6 of the 12 matches he played for a total of 10 overs. In these 10 overs, he took just 1 wicket and conceded 108 runs. His bowling average (108) and economy rate (10.80) were both way above his career averages.
Sammy's average differential is a stronking -97.79. The only player with worse average differential is Nepal's Paras Khadka at -104.14.
I liken him to a modern day Mike Brearley. Not deserving of his place in the side based on numbers alone, but a terrific captain that makes a real difference in the overall teams performance. That does add value that doesn't show up in the numbers.
Edited to add: Of course, we all know the real reason why Sammy was actually sacked. He was also far more deserving than a 30 second phone call. I do feel bad for him as he genuinely seems to love the game of cricket. Always has a lot of passion. The day before his first match for Hampshire he went to a local school to have a meet and greet and give advice.
As Trini said above, one thing the WICB can never take away from him is his two World Twenty20 victories. The only captain to achieve such a feat.