St Lucia renames ground after Darren Sammy following West Indies title win in ICC T20 World Cup 2016

Darren Sammy's leadership skills have been praised by both fans and former players and his role in taking West Indies to their second ICC T20 World Cup 2016 title has been recognised by his home country. St Lucia has announced that the island's main cricket ground would be renamed in his honour.

The Beausejour Cricket Ground will be renamed as the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, while one of the stands in the ground will be named after fellow St Lucian and Twenty20 winner Johnson Charles. The announcement was made at a welcome reception organised by Prime Minister Kenny D Anthony.

The West Indies Cricket Board released a statement saying, "The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) would like to congratulate West Indies captain, Darren Sammy, and opener Johnson Charles for the honour their home country St Lucia has bestowed on them", as quoted by AP.

"Both are fitting tributes to the hard work and dedication of the players who just completed an exciting victory to win the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 Men's title. The honour is fitting and we salute the players."

The Beausejour Stadium has hosted international matches since 2002. In 2006, it became the first ground in the West Indies to stage a game with floodlights in a One Day International (ODI) match involving Zimbabwe. The ground has a seating capacity of 15,000 including 18 hospitality suites and a modern pavilion that offers each team its own gym, balcony and conference area.

Sammy too was thrilled with the news, thanking St Lucians for their support, "I am truly honoured, I am humbled and blessed. Thank you, we always know that St Lucians love their own and the love and respect and admiration I have just received at the airport , oh my God, thank you very much", ESPNCricinfo, quoted him as saying.