Darren Sammy appointed as West Indies head coach for ODIs and T20s

According to a statement from Cricket West Indies, Andre Coley and Daren Sammy were named as the men’s team coaches on Friday. Sammy will be in charge of mentoring the ODI along with T20 teams, while Coley will oversee the Test and “A” sides. Prior to the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 Qualifier competition in Zimbabwe, Sammy’s first job is a 3-match ODI Series versus the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Sharjah in June. Coley’s first assignment is a two-match Test Series against India at home in July.

Sammy was a three-time captain of the West Indies and guided the nation to T20 World Cup victories in 2012 as well as in 2016. Since his retirement, he has served as a franchise team coach in the Caribbean Premier League and Pakistan Super League.

Darren Sammy spoke about how he is looking forward to this new role and said that, “It will be a challenge but one that I’m ready for and excited about. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity, especially looking at the players we have and the impact that I believe I can have in the dressing room. I believe I will bring the same approach as I had as a player: the passion, the desire for success, and my undying love for West Indies cricket.”

Coley, on the other hand, is a former Jamaican wicketkeeper/batsman who has taught West Indies cricket at every level. Earlier this year, he served as the West Indies team’s interim head coach for their tours of South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Coley who will be guiding the team in the next Test Championship cycle spoke about the opportunity and the task on hand. He said, “I am honoured to be appointed West Indies Men’s Head Coach of the red-ball team after serving in the interim role on the Zimbabwe and South Africa tours. I am looking forward to the challenges ahead, as well as the opportunities as we sharpen our focus on moving up the Test rankings, and qualifying for the World Test Championship final in June 2025,”