The West Indies have won just one of ten games in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle and are ranked eighth out of nine teams. West Indies coach Daren Sammy hopes to move up the table, despite his stated goal of winning the next World T20 (2027-29) when he took over as head coach in December 2024 (he started in April 2025). Pakistan is currently ranked ninth.
Remember, everything is a process. When I started this job, I looked at the first three Test series we had: Australia in challenging conditions, the West Indies in India, and the West Indies in New Zealand.
Phew! That was three really hard ones,” Sammy said ahead of the first Test against Pakistan, which begins on Saturday at Tarouba’s Brian Lara Stadium, which is hosting a Test for the first time. Additionally, the athletes needed opportunities to improve their teamwork and cohesiveness.
We could see some light, particularly during the Sri Lanka series [which the West Indies won 1-0 in early July]. We now have Pakistan. Looking at the world standings, we’re probably four or five points shy of breaking into the top six [they’re ninth and only three points away from sixth].
The team understands what we want to achieve. “And each player understands their role in helping us achieve that.”So, for me, the process has always been simple: identify where we want to go, through conversations with the director, the captain, and the players, and how we’re going to do it.
So if you see me appearing peaceful all the time, it’s because I understand what we’re trying to do as a group, rather than the outside noise.”
Wicketkeeper-batsman Amir Jangoo sustained a shoulder injury during the ODI series against New Zealand, which followed the Tests against Sri Lanka, and while he has not been ruled out of the Pakistan Tests, it is cause for concern, especially after his double-century helped the West Indies defeat Sri Lanka by an innings in the first Test.
Joshua Da Silva is already in the squad, but Shai Hope may be asked “for a couple more favours” to fill in behind the stumps to aid with team balance.
Da Silva maintained wicket in the first Sri Lanka Test, while Hope did the same in the second. With Jangoo’s injury, it’s likely that Shai Hope will be asked to take on the gloves again,” Sammy stated.
“I’m conversing with him. I’m trying to ask him for a few more favours, since you have to consider his workload, as well as the other two formats, and ask him to score some real runs. We’ll have a talk.
I believe that taking up the gloves will benefit Shai in the long run. “Myself, Joshua Da Silva, and Amir Jangoo have discussed the next steps.”[Jangoo] is still available.
As I indicated, Dr. [Dennis] Byam [the physiotherapist] has a knack of keeping people in the park. So, hopefully… Jangoo missed the final game of the ODI series, but he is now batting in the nets. So I hope he’s still available for selection.”
Joshua Bishop, a left-arm spinner, has received his first call-up for the Pakistan Tests, while top-order batsman Kirk McKenzie has returned after not playing since 2024.
“Yes, Joshua Bishop has been really knocking on the door every season. And obviously, given the venues that we have today – the second Test being in Port of Spain – it gives us the option to play two true spinners and Roston [Chase] as captain,” Sammy remarked.
“And Joshua Bishop’s contribution and performances brings him and forces his way into the Test team. “And young McKenzie is a really promising possibility for us.
He was previously a member of the team. I recall seeing him score a valiant half-century [41] in the Test match we won in Australia, where Shamar Joseph had his historic moment.
He kind of lost his form. And then over the last two or three years, the work he’s done… And, regrettably, John Campbell, who was looking good in the previous Test series, was hurt.
McKenzie now has the option to join the squad.But, moving forward, [the aim] is to attempt to establish or have a pool of players so that if one person is absent, the position remains same. Someone else could step in and fill that role.
The West Indies will play their first Test since Sir Garry Sobers’ death, and his memory will be honoured throughout the series.Sir Garry has passed away.
What he contributed to the Test game… because of him, we gained a large number of followers and cricket fans. “He made significant contributions to that,” Sammy remarked. “So throughout this series, we’ll be playing, trying to honour his legacy and trying to put performances that he would be proud of.”
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