CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand – West Indies head coach Daren Sammy insists his team will enter their upcoming Test series against New Zealand with confidence and purpose, buoyed by competitive displays in the recently concluded T20I and One Day International contests.
The regional side has not claimed a Test series victory over the Kiwis since 2012 in the Caribbean, and a series win in New Zealand has eluded them for more than three decades. Their last Test match triumph on New Zealand soil dates back to 1987, when the teams drew a three-match series 1-1.
Confidence despite history
Sammy acknowledged the daunting statistics but stressed that the team’s mentality has shifted in a positive direction.
“In the [T20I and ODI] series, we created so many opportunities to win. When I look at the seven games that were played, we were in contention to win five of them, but we let it slip away, but credit must go to New Zealand on how they’ve made home a fortress.”
He added that the encouraging performances provided a strong foundation heading into the red-ball format.
“I was quite impressed with the positives that we had coming out of that series and now we’re in the Test match arena. We haven’t won here since 1995 – that’s 30 years – so we have a challenge on our hands.”
Preparation and intensity
The West Indies will first contest a two-day warm-up match against a New Zealand XI beginning Wednesday, and Sammy has already been pleased with the focus shown during training.
“I was just watching these guys prepare and the intensity at training today is something that we’ve spoken about, and to see the immediate reaction to the things that we want to see, I’m quite happy with the way preparations are going,” he said following Monday’s practice session.
Targeting a statement finish
Sammy made it clear that the objective extends beyond merely competing, West Indies want to leave New Zealand with a series victory and close the year on a positive note.
He pointed to their most recent Test against India as evidence of the team’s ability to push elite opposition.
“First, in order to win, you must be able to compete, and we have to compete,” he stressed. “We came from India, and we pushed them into a fifth day in a Test match, something that has not been done in a while in India.”
Mindset over numbers
While acknowledging that statistics may not favor his side, Sammy remains encouraged by the internal belief and growing identity within the squad.
“We might not have the numbers behind us coming into New Zealand, but I think the mindset that we have here and what we’re trying to create here is good, and it boils down to execution… One thing we’ve shown over here is that we challenge them. In the T20I series, in the ODI series, I don’t think the results reflected on how we played.”
With improved preparation, renewed confidence, and a determined mindset, Sammy believes the West Indies are poised to challenge New Zealand in the longest format, and perhaps rewrite a stubborn chapter of their cricketing history.
