Watchers of West Indies cricket won’t be surprised at the pledge of support for new captain Mr Darren Sammy from his predecessor Mr Christopher Gayle.

Those closest to Mr Gayle, including fellow players, have long said in typical Jamaican parlance that “him heart clean” and that he is without “bad mind”.

Furthermore, it is well known that the former captain never went in search of the job to lead the regional team. Rather, it was thrust upon him when the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) found itself with virtually no choice back in 2007.

In the context of West Indies cricket over the last 10-15 years — with the regional team losing far more often than it has won — it seems to this newspaper that Mr Gayle did a reasonable job as captain.

However, once he chose — as is his right — not to sign a central retainer contract with the WICB, it became politically inevitable that a new leader would have had to be found for the Test and limited overs tour of Sri Lanka which begins in a few days. As it is, Mr Sammy has been appointed captain until the close of visiting tours of the Caribbean in mid-2011 — a significant gesture of confidence in the big St Lucian.

It will be a tough task for Mr Sammy, not least because he has not been a regular member of the West Indies Test side. In fact, he has only played eight Tests since his debut in 2007. But based on his statistical record, it seems to this newspaper that he has every right to be part of a West Indies eleven.

Remarkably, 32-year-old Mr Brendan Nash, who though of Jamaican parents was born, grew up and spent all his years until age 28 in Australia before migrating to Kingston, is now vice captain of the West Indies Test team.

Cricket watchers will recall that Mr Nash ran into strong opposition at the informal level when he first made his bid to be selected for Jamaica, a necessary stepping stone to the West Indies team. There were even whispers that Mr Nash, who is fair-skinned with characteristically European features, was the victim of “racism” in a Caribbean cricket environment dominated by people of obviously African and East Indian ancestry.

In the circumstances, Mr Nash showed a resolve and determination to succeed that triggered widespread admiration. As a team member, his commitment to the West Indies and Jamaican cause, to high standards, and personal fitness, is often cited as worthy of emulation.

It is tribute to Mr Nash’s achievements in a very short time that his appointment as West Indies vice captain has met hardly an opposing murmur. Of course, the cynics will also argue that it simply reflects the parlous state of Caribbean cricket.

Jamaicans would have been heartened by the selection of the young fast-bowling allrounder Mr Andre Russell. From virtually nowhere he sprung to the fore when he joined the West Indies ‘A’ team as a replacement player on overseas tour in mid-year and seized the moment with strong performances.

The reality is that Sri Lanka on home soil will start clear favourites to beat the lowly ranked West Indies in the upcoming Test series. But if the team is able to gel behind Mr Sammy and the spirit shown by Messrs Nash and Russell proves contagious, the hosts could be in for a shock or two.