Sammy announces Test retirement

West Indies allrounder Darren Sammy has announced his retirement from Test cricket after losing the captaincy to Denesh Ramdin on Friday.

Sammy, who had been in charge of the Test team since October 2010, will continue to make himself available for the other formats of the game.

Wicketkeeper/batsman Ramdin, 29, had already been understudy to Sammy, who retains the leadership of the Twenty20 squad.

Ramdin has played 56 Tests in addition to 109 one-day internationals and 46 Twenty20 internationals.

"We thank Darren for his energetic and resolute leadership over the past four years and we continue to see his role as the Twenty20 captain as a critical one," said West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Dave Cameron.

Ramdin said he was honoured to be named the new Test skipper.

"It is an honour to be named as captain of the West Indies Test team. This is a huge opportunity and as a unit we are capable of representing the people of the West Indies," Ramdin said.

"I am taking over from Darren who did a good job while he was at the helm. He is a very humble and hardworking cricketer and during his time at the helm we won six matches and he gave his all to the job.

"My first assignment will be against New Zealand at home and this promises to be a very exciting series."

Sammy, 30, offered his support to Ramdin.

"Congratulations to Ramdin on being named Test captain. God's speed brother as you look to take us forward. Thanks to all for the support," said Sammy.

Ramdin's first appointment in his new role will be the West Indies versus New Zealand Test in Jamaica starting on June 8. The second Test at the Queen's Park Oval will be his first as Test captain on home Trinidad soil.

West Indies will now have three different captains for the three international formats -- Ramdin for Tests, Sammy with the T20 side and Dwayne Bravo as head of the ODI squad.