Daren Sammy has been appointed as the head coach of the West Indies men's cricket team, overseeing all formats—Test, ODI, and T20I. Sammy, who has been at the helm of the T20I and ODI squads since the previous year, is set to take over the Test side beginning in April 2025. This announcement was made by Miles Bascombe, the Director of Cricket for Cricket West Indies (CWI), during a press conference in St. Vincent.
In his addressing of the media, Sammy expressed his appreciation for being entrusted with this significant responsibility. Although coaching was not originally part of his career plan, he has discovered a burgeoning passion for the role over recent months. He emphasized the importance of established processes, which he believes have contributed to the success seen in white-ball cricket. As he transitions into Test cricket, Sammy outlined that he has identified key areas requiring focus and attention to foster success. He recognized the need for patience and the importance of adhering to defined processes as the team moves forward.
Sammy's tenure as coach for the T20I and ODI formats has yielded noteworthy results. Since May 2023, the West Indies have secured victory in 15 out of 28 ODIs, during which they triumphed in four of seven bilateral series. Furthermore, in the realm of T20Is, the West Indies emerged successful in four home series against notable opponents, including teams from India, England, and South Africa. However, they faced losses against Sri Lanka, Australia, and England, with the latter match taking place at home. Overall, considering the recent matches, the team has won 20 out of 35 T20Is played during Sammy's coaching period.
In contrast, the West Indies' performance in Test cricket over the same span has been less impressive. Under the guidance of current coach Andre Coley, the team has lost seven Test matches, managing to secure two wins and two draws. A key highlight during this period was a narrow, thrilling victory over Australia by eight runs in Brisbane in January this year, but they have failed to win any Test series and currently sit at the bottom of the World Test Championship (WTC) points table.
Following the conclusion of the current WTC campaign, CWI plans to expand Sammy’s responsibilities, enabling him to take full control of the men's team when they host Australia in the following summer. Bascombe acknowledged Andre Coley's contributions and affirmed that he will continue to receive support as he completes the WTC campaign in Pakistan. The Director of Cricket lauded Sammy for his ability to instill consistency within the white-ball formats, and he expressed eagerness to see similar improvement in the Test side.
Sammy's extensive experience in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has positioned him well for his new role. His leadership capabilities were pivotal in the St Lucia Kings' successful campaign in the CPL, particularly in 2020 when he guided a less-favoured team to the finals. After his time as captain, he took on the role of T20 consultant and brand ambassador for the Kings, later stepping in as head coach in 2022 and leading the team to the Eliminator round.
His coaching journey also extended to the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he has been associated with Peshawar Zalmi since the league's inception. Having served as head coach for the Zalmi franchise during multiple seasons, Sammy has built a strong reputation as a skilled leader and strategist in T20 cricket.
With his appointment as head coach for all formats, Daren Sammy steps into a crucial role at a pivotal moment for West Indies cricket. The challenges facing the Test team are significant, especially in light of their current standing in the World Test Championship. Nevertheless, Sammy's proven track record in white-ball formats presents an optimistic prospect for the future. He is now tasked with translating that success into the longer format of the game. The West Indies cricket community looks forward to witnessing how Sammy navigates this new phase of his coaching career, aiming to restore the team's competitive edge in Test cricket as they work towards a more promising future on the international stage.