Dharuba: West Indies head coach Darren Sammy is targeting a strong performance in the two-match Test series against Pakistan as they look to climb the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings.
Since taking charge, Sammy has overseen a torrid run of matches against Australia, India and New Zealand. However, he believes the recent home Test series win against Sri Lanka has laid the foundation for the team’s revival.
“Look, everything is a process. When I took this job, looking at the first three Test series we had: Australia in difficult conditions, West Indies in India, West Indies in New Zealand. Wow! Those three were very challenging,” Sami said ahead of the opening Test against Pakistan.
“Also, the players will have had a chance to fine-tune the team and get them together better.”
West Indies’ 1-0 Test series win against Sri Lanka on home soil gave them a confidence boost, but Sammy insisted his side were not complacent. Instead, he’s focused on the team’s long-term growth.
“We could see some light coming through, especially in the Sri Lanka series. Now we have Pakistan,” he said.
“So, for me, my process has always been simple: through my conversations with the director, the captain and the players, understand the direction we want to go and how we do it.
“If you see me always being quiet, it’s because I understand what we’re trying to do as a team, not the noise from the outside.”
The opening Test against Pakistan will be West Indies’ first since the demise of legendary all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers, and Sammy hopes his players can honor his legacy with their performance.
“We lost a great man in Sir Carey. What he contributed to the Test game… Because of him, we have a lot of followers, a lot of people who love cricket. He contributed a lot to that,” Sammy said.
“Throughout this series, we will play, try to honor his legacy and put on performances that he would be proud of.”
The two-match series is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. The inaugural Test will be held at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy from July 25 to 29, and will be the first ever men’s Test at the venue.
The second and final Test will be played at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain from August 2 to 6.
Pakistan’s upcoming tour marks their first Test assignment in the Caribbean since 2021, with the two teams sharing a tough two-match series 1-1.
West Indies squad for Pakistan Test: Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), Joshua Bishop, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Kirk McKenzie, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales.