St John's, Antigua: Chris Gayle was today dumped from West Indies captaincy and replaced by all-rounder Darren Sammy in a shake-up aimed at rebuilding the side which has been on decline for some years.
The West Indies Cricket Board announced the decision to sack Gayle, who has been skipper since 2007, while naming the squad for the three-match Test tour of Sri Lanka next month.
Sammy, though, has not been a regular member of the Test side having played just eight matches after making his debut in June 2007.
Gayle, who recently refused new central contracts with the WICB last month along with Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, is still in the squad as a batsman.
Gayle, Bravo and Pollard had refused central contracts which stipulated that they must make themselves available for the West Indies team at all times.