West Indies coach Daren Sammy has expressed pride in his team's recent development in Test cricket, particularly highlighting the significant improvement in batting performances during their last two series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Although the team remains at the bottom of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 table after winning two and losing one of their last four matches, Sammy emphasized that the squad is making measurable progress.
A key focus for the team has been increasing the duration and quality of their first-innings batting. Sammy noted that the team previously averaged about 60 overs in the first innings, but their goal was to reach 90 overs to consistently challenge the opposition. "We've been able to do that. We faced two new balls, I think, every time in the first innings in the last five Test matches. You know, that's an achievement for us." The side has also achieved five centuries in these five Tests, including Amir Jangoo’s top score of 233, and has surpassed 300 runs in every first-innings appearance during this period.
Sammy credited batting coach Floyd Reifer for the dedication shown by the players, citing specific examples of growth. He pointed to Brandon King’s adjustments to his trigger movement and ball-tracking, as well as Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s increased intent at the crease. Contributions from players like Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Kavem Hodge, and John Campbell have also been vital in securing these results. Sammy believes that combining this improved batting with a bowling unit capable of taking 20 wickets puts the team in a position to compete more effectively.
Reflecting on the broader WTC cycle, Sammy acknowledged the initial challenges faced against Australia, India, and New Zealand. However, he remains optimistic about the team's trajectory, noting that the players are buying into the process. Roston Chase, who has been instrumental in these efforts, credited a pre-series camp for strengthening team unity and helping players capitalize on home conditions. Meanwhile, Jomel Warrican’s recent six-wicket haul against Pakistan highlighted the depth of the bowling attack, even while dealing with injury-related limitations within the squad. "I'm really proud of the men over the home summer in Test cricket, but all in all, some of the things that we achieved at home were satisfying. We definitely have to work on our second innings total a little bit but because of our consistent first innings totals, it put us in positions to win games. And we keep getting 20 wickets in the Test match, something I'm proud of."
Looking ahead, West Indies are preparing for a two-match Test series in Bangladesh later this year. While Sammy recognizes the difficulty of the tour, he views it as a significant opportunity to build on recent momentum. The coach emphasized that the team is focused on small, incremental steps toward success, prioritizing long-term growth over immediate results. Despite the current standings, Sammy remains committed to his strategy of giving the players time and grace to evolve into a consistent Test-winning unit.
