Cricket legend Clive Lloyd has urged administrators to strengthen the support system around West Indies head coach Daren Sammy, warning that the responsibility of guiding the regional side across all formats cannot rest on one man alone.
Speaking in a recent interview on i95.5 FM, the iconic former captain said Cricket West Indies should ensure Sammy receives assistance from experienced cricket minds across the Caribbean.
While Lloyd acknowledged the team’s respectable showing at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where the West Indies advanced to the Super Eights before being eliminated, he stressed that long-term success will require a broader support structure.
“It’s a performance-related situation”
Lloyd, now 81, said the ultimate decision on Sammy’s future rests with the governing body, emphasizing that results will always determine a coach’s tenure.
“It’s entirely up to the board. It’s a performance-related situation; you get performance-related pay, and it’s the same thing with your standing as a coach. Is he doing a good job, is he not doing a good job? The board has got to make that decision,” Lloyd said.
Sammy was appointed as the West Indies’ all-format head coach in April last year, placing him at the center of the region’s rebuilding efforts across Test, One-Day International, and T20 cricket.
A collective effort needed
Despite recognizing the progress made during the T20 World Cup campaign, Lloyd argued that the demands of modern international cricket require a collaborative approach.
He believes the Caribbean possesses a deep reservoir of former players and knowledgeable cricket figures who could support Sammy in shaping the team’s future.
“I still would like to see him getting help from other people; have a selection of people there, guys who understand the game, because he alone will take all the stick if they don’t do well,” Sir Clive explained.
Balancing expectations across the Caribbean
Lloyd also pointed to the unique challenges of managing a regional team that represents numerous Caribbean nations.
With supporters spread across multiple territories, expectations and scrutiny often intensify when results fall short.
“We have 14 islands, so we have to please a lot of people, so I think he needs help…because if you’re not doing well, then it’s obvious people will want to put the blame on somebody.”
For Lloyd, the message is clear: while Sammy remains at the forefront of the West Indies’ cricketing revival, the burden of rebuilding the team must be shared.
