BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – In a move that reverberated across Caribbean cricket, Daren Sammy, the celebrated former West Indies captain, will expand his leadership role as head coach to encompass the Test team starting April 2025.
The surprise announcement came during a Cricket West Indies (CWI) press conference on Thursday, marking a strategic shift aimed at replicating Sammy’s white-ball success in the red-ball arena.
A strategic realignment
CWI Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, confirmed the decision, explaining that Sammy’s current white-ball contract, set to conclude this December, will be renewed and expanded to include the Test team.
“Daren’s current contract will end at the end of this month, and in renegotiating his renewal, we identified an opportunity,” Bascombe revealed. “Given the success he has achieved with the white-ball teams—particularly through the processes he’s implemented—we believe extending his leadership to the Test team aligns with our vision for the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.”
Andre Coley, the current red-ball coach, will remain at the helm through the upcoming two-Test series against Pakistan from January 16–28, 2025, before handing over the reins. Bascombe emphasized that the decision was not a reflection on Coley’s capabilities.
“Andre is a competent coach, and this is not about his ability,” Bascombe clarified. “This decision is about seizing the opportunity Daren has created through his structured approach and translating that success to the Test format. The player pool and coaching staff remain the same, and we are confident this move positions us for long-term progress.”
Sammy embraces the challenge
For Sammy, who was appointed as white-ball coach in 2023, the announcement came as a pleasant surprise.
“It’s always an honor to serve West Indies cricket in any capacity,” Sammy said with characteristic humility. “I never imagined myself coaching, but as time has gone on, I’ve developed a deep passion for the job and what it means to the region. I wasn’t expecting this news, but I’m ready to embrace the challenge.”
Sammy’s short tenure as white-ball coach has yielded encouraging results. Under his stewardship, the West Indies T20 side has triumphed in 20 out of 35 matches, while the ODI team secured victories in 15 of its 28 games. His ability to instil discipline and a clear game plan has been widely praised, and now Sammy aims to chart a similar course for the Test team.
“I’ve already mapped out some of the areas we need to address and the processes we’ll implement to find success in the Test arena,” Sammy said confidently. “It’s about patience, trust, and understanding the requirements from the director of cricket. I’m truly excited to take on this added responsibility and begin this new journey with the team.”
A unified vision across formats
Sammy emphasized his vision of identifying player roles first, irrespective of format, and selecting cricketers who can execute those roles effectively.
“I don’t see players as just T20 or ODI specialists—I see West Indian cricketers,” he declared. “Once I identify the roles needed for success, we’ll find the players to fit those roles. If that means pulling from the white-ball pool, so be it. It’s about what’s best for the team.”
Sammy’s flexible approach underscores his commitment to fostering a unified team culture across all formats, breaking down silos between the limited-overs and Test teams.
Coley’s role moving forward
While the shift signals a change in leadership, Bascombe reiterated that Andre Coley’s contributions remain valuable to West Indies cricket.
“Andre will lead the team into Pakistan fully prepared,” Bascombe assured. “He has already developed plans and programs for his players following the Bangladesh series. We’ll continue to engage with Andre because his expertise is indispensable to our coaching ecosystem. This decision is about maximizing opportunities, not sidelining talent.”
Eyes on the future
Sammy’s elevation represents a calculated gamble by CWI—one that banks on his ability to inspire, organize, and extract results across formats. As he prepares to take the reins in April 2025, all eyes will be on how Sammy translates his proven leadership and tactical acumen to the storied but struggling Test side.
“For me, it’s all about process and preparation,” Sammy said with determination. “If we trust that and execute our roles, success will follow.”
