Darren Sammy opts out of Bangladesh Premier League

Darren Sammy, the West Indies and Windward Islands captain, has opted out of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) so that he can play in the domestic regional four-day competition and prepare for the upcoming home series against Australia in March. Sammy was bought by Sylhet Royals for $55,000 at the player auction in Dhaka on February 20.

"While I enjoyed playing cricket in front the enthusiastic and passionate Bangladeshi fans, the BPL's schedule clashes with that of the West Indies Cricket Board's Regional 4-Day Tournament. Participating in the BPL would mean missing the first four rounds of the Regional 4-Day," Sammy said in a statement. "West Indies will host Australia starting mid-March and it will be a tough and challenging series. I have decided that it would be best for me to participate in the Regional 4-Day in order that I am properly and fully prepared for the challenges of the series against Australia.

"Additionally, Windward Islands cricket is blossoming and making significant strides and we are playing consistently well. My contributions as captain and allrounder are integral to this process and I am keen on serving my team as we continue to grow. I look forward to playing before the Bangladesh fans in the future at a time which is mutually convenient."

Dwayne Bravo, Jerome Taylor, Kevon Cooper, Lendl Simmons, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Dwayne Smith, Fidel Edwards, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Marlon Samuels and Chris Gayle were the other players from the West Indies bought at the BPL auction.