New West Indies coach Daren Sammy: ‘We want to throw the first punch’

Two-time T20 World Cup winning captain is now the Caribbean side’s white-ball coach as team prepares for Cricket World Cup Qualifier

Daren Sammy, right, will now coach the West Indies white-ball team. Getty

The two stars above the crest on Daren Sammy’s training shirt are a reminder of just how heavy the burden of expectation can be for a West Indies cricket coach.

They bring to mind the two World Cup titles secured when the Caribbean side were the sport’s superpower, back in 1975 and 1979. Days which are long since passed, but against which all West Indies sides still seem to be measured.

Happily for Sammy they work just as well as a proof of his credentials. The two stars could as easily refer to the global titles the Windies claimed in T20 cricket in 2012 and 2016, each of which was achieved with him as captain.

The world of cricket might have caught up with the West Indies in the old formats, but the landscape of the sport is entirely different now, too. The region remains a hotbed for cricket talent, especially in T20.

Players from the Caribbean are among the most sought after in franchise cricket. The region’s representative side have suffered at times because of that, with access to the star players not always the given it once was.

Sammy, who has been installed as the new white-ball coach for the West Indies, knows the difficulties all too well. They were there in 2012 and 2016, after all, and look how that turned out.

“I understand the challenges that come with [being West Indies coach], but we look at the squad we have here and there are exciting young talents coming through,” Sammy, 39, told The National.

“We can work with them to help move their cricket and West Indies cricket forward. There are exciting times ahead.”

UAE's Vriitya Aravind acknowledges the crowd after reaching his half century against the West Indies during the third ODI in Sharjah on Friday, June 9, 2023. Emirates Cricket Board

West Indies spinner Kevin Sinclair performed a backflip after dismissing UAE batter Rameez Shahzad. Emirates Cricket Board

Kevin Sinclair celebrates after ending the UAE innings on 184 on the first ball of the 37th over. Emirates Cricket Board

UAE's Aayan Khan was one of Kevin Sinclair's four victims with the ball. Emirates Cricket Board

UAE tailender Junaid Siddique is bowled by Yannic Cariah. Emirates Cricket Board

Vriitya Aravind made a sparkling half century, but the UAE batting crumbled around him. Emirates Cricket Board

West Indies' Alick Athanaze after reaching his fifty against the UAE. AFP

UAE's Karthik Meiyappan picked up two wickets in two balls. AFP

As a barometer of their standing in one-day international cricket at the start of Sammy’s tenure, West Indies are just about to compete in a Cricket World Cup Qualifier for the second time in a row.

They scraped through to make it to the main event four years ago and are back in Harare going through the same precarious process all over again. They sit 10th in the ICC’s ODI standings, and seventh in T20 internationals.

The first impressions of Sammy’s new era were positive, though, albeit on a track that was literally and figuratively about as flat as it gets.

Against an experimental and youthful UAE side in Sharjah last week, a similarly new-look touring side picked up a 3-0 series clean sweep.

That was achieved even without the likes of Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph and Kyle Mayers, who were resting after their Indian Premier League exploits and who have subsequently joined them in Harare.

Sammy has some principles he wants his team to live by, with hard work being the underlying one.

“I have come up with a slogan: we are enough, and we have enough,” Sammy said.

“It is about putting in the work. Like my mum said, you have to stand up for something.

“I have stood up for a few things in my life, and I have been punished for it. But at the end of the day, it’s about bringing that culture and positive mindset.

“We want a good work ethic. We first had to identify where we are as a team which is [10th] in the world, then work out what it takes to be an elite performing team.

“We need to start taking steps in that direction, whether it be skills, whether it be mindset, whether it be preparation. All the things that will contribute to us being more consistent as a team.

“We have started the process and there are exciting times ahead, but I understand the challenges facing us.”

Sammy is the figurehead of a backroom staff that includes former Guyanese batting star Carl Hooper, and former New Zealand all-rounder James Franklin. West Indies greats Jimmy Adams and Desmond Haynes were also in Sharjah, as director of cricket and selector respectively.

Despite such an illustrious think tank, Sammy is strong in his own views, too, such as wanting his side to go on the attack.

“The good thing about it is that captain Shai [Hope], myself and [vice-captain Rovman Powell] share the same vision,” Sammy said.

“That is to take on the game, challenge ourselves, not lay down, but be able to throw the first punch.

“For years, we have been trying to hang in the fight, if you know the opposition is coming to knock you out.

“If you can throw the first punch, so that by the time they get up the fight is so far gone that you are able to win it.

“It will take little steps, but it is about understanding the road and journey ahead, and really committing to the things we say we want to do, in order to move forward.”