Asserting that he had no choice but to retire from Tests, hard-hitting West Indies all-rounder Darren Sammy on Sunday said his role was not needed as captain and player in that format and IPL had nothing to do with his decision.

“It was something I thought about after I discussed with the selectors. After listening to the management and the team’s views about the way they needed to move to the next level in Test cricket, I understood that my role wasn’t needed as captain or player. This was the way forward,” said Sammy. 

Sammy, who remains as the T20 skipper, decided to retire from Tests on Friday when the selectors anounced Denesh Ramdin as his replacement. 

“Now West Indies cricket is at a new dispensation. It has a new force and direction and I am no longer required to play a role in Tests,” said Sammy. “I am having a great time in IPL. But my decision was not based on IPL or things like this.

 It was solely on the direction the Test team was heading and there were no plans for me as a captain and as a player,” clarified Sammy.