Daren Sammy, the current head coach of West Indies’ white-ball teams, is set to expand his role and take charge of the Test side starting April 2025. This decision was announced by CWI director of cricket, Miles Bascombe, during a press conference in St. Vincent. Sammy, who replaces Andre Coley, expressed his excitement for the added responsibility, acknowledging that while coaching was not his initial career goal, it has become a passion. He emphasized the importance of trusting the process, building on strategies already implemented in the shorter formats, and remaining patient to achieve success in Test cricket.
Sammy’s tenure with the white-ball teams has been promising, with West Indies winning 15 of 28 ODIs and four of seven bilateral series since May 2023. In T20Is, they achieved significant victories at home against powerhouse teams like India, England, and South Africa, although they faced losses on overseas tours against Sri Lanka and Australia. Overall, the team has won 20 of their 35 T20Is under Sammy’s guidance.
In contrast, West Indies’ Test performance under Coley has been less inspiring, with just two wins and two draws in their last 11 matches, including a notable eight-run victory against Australia in Brisbane earlier this year. Despite this high point, they remain at the bottom of the World Test Championship standings and have yet to secure a series win in this phase.
Bascombe highlighted the need for consistency in the Test format, praising Sammy’s leadership and success with the white-ball teams as a blueprint for the red-ball game. He thanked Andre Coley for his contributions, emphasizing the support Coley will receive during his final assignment in Pakistan before handing over the reins.
Sammy’s leadership credentials extend beyond the West Indies role. He played a pivotal role in St Lucia Kings’ rise in the CPL, leading them to the final as captain in 2020 and later coaching them to the Eliminator in 2022. Daren Sammy’s longstanding association with Peshawar Zalmi as both player and coach in the PSL has made him one of the league’s most recognized figures.
With his proven leadership and passion for the game, Sammy’s appointment as the all-format coach marks a new chapter for West Indies cricket as they aim to rebuild and achieve greater consistency across formats.