West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has emphasized the need for a realistic approach when setting long-term goals for improving the Test team’s status on the global stage.
While acknowledging the challenges ahead, Sammy, who recently had the Test team added to his portfolio and will officially take over from Andre Coley on April 1, is committed to using a data-driven strategy to elevate the team’s performance.
In fact, Sammy, who has been overseeing the ODI and T20 squads, has already begun strategizing for the next World Test Championship cycle, recognizing that West Indies are currently not in an ideal position.
“The reality of where we are at is the honest thing we have to accept. Once we understand that, we can channel our efforts into skill development, tactical adjustments, and personnel selection,” Sammy stated during a virtual media conference.
Sammy stressed that his strategy will rely heavily on research and analytics, drawing insights from top-performing Test teams worldwide to inform the West Indies’ path forward.
“What I could tell you is that we have started the research and analytical part of the game with one of the best analysts in the world, Avenesh (Seetaram). It is a process we started for the ODI and T20 teams, and we’re going to do the same for the Test team,” Sammy explained.
That said, the former captain and two-time T20 World Cup-winning stalwart outlined his plan to analyze data from regional first-class cricket and assess West Indies’ performances over the past few years, ensuring that all strategies align with the findings.
“We will do everything that is aligned with the data that is collected from regional first-class cricket and what we’ve been doing over the last three to four years. So, I’m pretty sure we’re going to have a plan, and the most important thing is how we execute that plan in the next three years while I’m here,” Sammy noted.
With the future of Test cricket evolving, including discussions about a potential second-tier system, Sammy insisted that his objectives would be both practical and achievable.
“In planning and putting goals and a long-term plan, we have to be realistic,” he said.
“We’ve looked at the top four teams in the world—regional competition in their territories—and what they do at the international level. We try to mirror it with what we do regionally here in our four-day competition and with the Test team. We’ve collected all the data,” Sammy added.
Besides, Sammy knows all too well that West Indies, currently ranked in the lower half of the Test standings, will focus on gradual improvement rather than making lofty promises.
“Once we do that, we now could see where we could match the world in certain areas and other areas where we can improve. That could be through technical or personnel aspects, and we will give it very good consideration,” Sammy reasoned.
“Then we will set our goals from there, whether it is finishing in the top five or moving our rankings from number eight or nine to seven and to six, and do it gradually. But I am not going to promise anybody something that I don’t think is feasible,” he shared.
Sammy’s first series as Test head coach will be a three-match home encounter against Australia in June and July, with matches set to be played in Barbados, Grenada, and Jamaica.
West Indies will be hoping to build on their memorable performance against Australia last year, when they secured a thrilling eight-run victory in Brisbane to draw the two-match series 1-1.
Fast bowler Shamar Joseph was instrumental in that win, taking a sensational 6-68 in the second innings. He missed the recent Pakistan tour due to injury, but Sammy remains optimistic about his return.
“I had a conversation with Shamar on Friday about his rehab and journey back. Also, I get weekly updates from the talent ID, who is head coach of the Guyana franchise. He sends me videos of all Shamar’s training sessions,” Sammy revealed.
“At one time, he was bowling full pace and injury-free. We are monitoring it. We all know how exciting that win against Australia was, and our next Test series against them is coming up. So, we understand the importance of him in the bowling line-up, and we are doing everything to make sure he is ready and back on the circuit for West Indies,” the coach ended.
