Former West Indies captain Daren Sammy is set to become the head coach of the national team across all formats starting April 2025. The announcement was made by Cricket West Indies (CWI) Director Miles Bascombe during the quarterly press conference held in St. Vincent on Monday.
Sammy, who has been coaching the West Indies white-ball teams since May 2023, will take over the Test coaching responsibilities as well, replacing current coach Andre Coley. This transition will occur at the end of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
The West Indies are currently at the bottom of the WTC 2023-25 standings with a point percentage of 24.24%. With no chance of qualifying for the final at Lord’s in 2025, the team will focus on improving their performance. Their final commitment in the WTC cycle includes a two-match Test series against Pakistan, scheduled to be played between January 16-28, 2025.
Expressing his excitement about the expanded role, Sammy said, “It is an honour to represent the West Indies in any capacity. With this new role, we have mapped out a fresh direction for the team. I am really excited about the added responsibility and the new journey. I believe my team and I will be fully prepared for the challenges ahead.”
Daren Sammy remains one of West Indies cricket’s most iconic figures, known for his leadership and all-round skills. A two-time ICC Men’s T20 World Cup-winning captain (2012 and 2016), Sammy has had a significant impact both as a player and coach.
In Test cricket, he played 38 matches, scoring 1,323 runs at an average of 21.68. His performances included one century and five half-centuries, showcasing his ability to contribute with the bat in the longest format. With the ball, he claimed 84 wickets, underlining his all-round capabilities.
In ODIs, he appeared in 126 matches, accumulating 1,871 runs at an average of 24.94. His batting record included nine half-centuries, reflecting his consistency in the limited-overs format. Additionally, he proved valuable with the ball, taking 81 wickets during his ODI career.
In the T20I format, he featured in 68 matches, scoring 587 runs at an impressive strike rate of 147.48. His explosive batting was complemented by his bowling skills, as he took 44 wickets, including a career-best performance of 5/26, cementing his reputation as a reliable all-rounder in the shortest format.