West Indies Name Daren Sammy as Head Coach for All Formats
December 18 – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced the appointment of former captain Daren Sammy as head coach across all three formats of the game. Sammy, already coaching the white-ball teams since May 2023, will take over the Test side starting next year. Andre Coley, the current Test coach, will oversee January’s series against Pakistan before transitioning to a high-performance role within CWI.
CWI President Kishore Shallow praised Sammy’s leadership and vision:
“Daren Sammy has demonstrated exceptional leadership during his tenure with the white-ball teams. His vision, dedication, and ability to inspire players make him the ideal candidate to lead across all formats. This appointment marks a bold and exciting step forward as we strive to elevate West Indies cricket to new heights.”
Sammy, who turns 41 on Friday, made history as the first St. Lucian to represent West Indies at the international level. As a player, he captained the team to two T20 World Cup titles in 2012 and 2016, cementing his legacy as one of the region’s great leaders.
Under his white-ball coaching tenure, West Indies are currently ranked fourth in T20Is. However, the Test side has struggled, winning just three of 15 matches since Coley took charge on an interim basis in December 2022. Despite the challenges, the team recorded a notable win against Australia in Brisbane earlier this year.
CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe expressed gratitude for Coley’s contributions and confidence in the transition:
“We recognise and appreciate Andre’s efforts during his tenure and look forward to him serving West Indies cricket in other meaningful capacities. We are confident that there will be a seamless transition from Andre to Daren for the Test team, as both are professionals who have worked productively in the past.”
Sammy’s appointment signals a renewed effort to revive the fortunes of West Indies cricket, which once dominated the sport during its golden era from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. Currently ranked eighth in Tests and 10th in ODIs, the team faces the challenge of rebuilding under Sammy’s leadership, with hopes of reclaiming its place among cricket’s elite.
