Former captain Daren Sammy to take charge of the West Indies Test team, solidifying his leadership role in West Indies cricket
St John’s [Antigua], December 17: Former West Indies captain Daren Sammy has been appointed as the head coach across all formats, following his successful tenure as the white-ball coach since May 2023. The announcement was made on Monday by Cricket West Indies (CWI) Director Miles Bascombe during the Quarterly Press Conference held in St. Vincent.
Sammy, who led West Indies to two ICC Men’s T20 World Cup titles, will take over as Test head coach starting April 2024, replacing Andre Coley. Coley will remain in charge until the conclusion of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
West Indies’ Current Challenges
The West Indies currently sit last in the World Test Championship standings with a 24.24% points percentage, eliminating them from contention for the WTC final at Lord’s next year. However, they still have a two-match series against Pakistan scheduled for January 16-28, 2025, marking the end of their current campaign.
Sammy expressed his excitement about the new role and his vision for the team.
“It is an honour to represent the West Indies in any capacity. With the new role, I have mapped out a clear direction,” Sammy said at the press conference, as quoted by the ICC.
“I am really excited about the added responsibility and the new journey. Myself and my team will be prepared for this challenge.”
Sammy’s Career and Coaching Impact
Daren Sammy played 38 Tests for the West Indies, scoring 1,323 runs at an average of 21.68, including a century and five half-centuries. He also took 84 wickets in his Test career.
In ODIs, Sammy featured in 126 matches, amassing 1,871 runs with nine fifties and claiming 81 wickets. In the T20I format, he scored 587 runs at a strike rate of 147.48 and took 44 wickets, showcasing his versatility as an all-rounder.
Since his appointment as the white-ball coach, Sammy has been credited for bringing renewed energy to the team, which has now resulted in his elevation to oversee all formats.
