Former West Indies captain Chris Gayle said the quest for a younger player to lead the team into the future could be the reason behind the selectors decision to appoint Denesh Ramdin.

"It's something (a decision) the management, or board (WICB) made. Nothing lasts forever," Gayle told Indian website www.ndtv.com.

support

"I had been in those situations. Maybe they are looking at a younger guy for the future."

"These are one of those things. You have to support the Board's decision," he declared.

The 34-year-old Gayle, who Sammy replaced, captained the West Indies in 20 matches between 2007 and 2010, winning three, drawing eight and losing nine.

Sammy, who turns 31 in December, led the team for close to three and a half years and ended with a record of eigth wins, 10 draws and 12 losses from 30 games.

Ramdim, 29, a former West Indies Under-19 captain, and the captain of Trinidad and Tobago, is set to captain the West Indies for the first time as an appointed leader next month.

stand-in capacity

He has performed the role before in a stand-in capacity in a one-day international (ODI).

Ramdin will be in charge of the team when the West Indies take on New Zealand in three Tests, starting at Sabina Park on June 1.

Sammy, who following his axing resigned from Test cricket, remains captain of the Twenty20 International team, while Dwayne Bravo will continue to lead the team in ODI.