Sammy: West Indies ‘on course’ to achieve their WTC goal

West Indies coach Daren Sammy said his side are “on course” to achieve their World Test Championship (WTC) objectives after an unbeaten run in the opening two Tests of the 2025‑27 cycle. Speaking ahead of the second Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka, Sammy highlighted the progress the team has made since the series‑winning tour of England in 2024 and warned that the final match of the current WTC window will be crucial for consolidating the gains made over the past twelve months. “We have a clear plan, the players understand what we are asking of them and the results are reflecting that,” the former West Indies captain told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.The Caribbean side entered the Bangladesh series with a 2‑0 record in the WTC, having taken both fixtures against England at the Oval and Lord’s without losing a wicket in the first innings of either match..

Those victories lifted West Indies to third place in the points table, trailing only Australia and India, and placed them within striking distance of the top‑four qualification line that guarantees a place in the championship final. Sammy noted that the team’s statistical performance – a combined batting average of 48.3 and a bowling strike rate of 52 – underlines a balanced effort across all departments. “When you look at the numbers you see a side that is clicking, and that is a direct reflection of the hard work the players have put in,” he said.Sammy’s comments came after the first Test in Dhaka, where West Indies posted a formidable total of 511 in the first innings, powered by centuries from Shamarh Brooks and Kraigg Brathwaite..

The innings, which lasted 176 overs, saw the West Indian batting line‑up exhibit patience and discipline, qualities that have sometimes eluded the side in the past. “We have learned to build partnerships and to grind out the runs when the conditions demand it,” Sammy explained. “That’s a big shift from the more aggressive, sometimes reckless style we displayed a few years ago.” He added that the experience gained by younger players such as Akeem Jordan and Roston Chase in handling the spin‑friendly pitch will serve them well in the upcoming home series against Pakistan.The bowling unit, led by fast‑bowler Alzarri Joseph and left‑arm orthodox spinner Gudakesh Motie, also impressed..

Joseph claimed five wickets in the first innings, while Motie’s three‑wicket haul in the second innings helped restrict Bangladesh to 245, setting up a comfortable 266‑run lead for the hosts. “Our bowlers have shown they can adapt, whether it’s swinging the ball in English conditions or exploiting the low‑bounce tracks in the sub‑continent,” Sammy said. He pointed to the team’s improved fielding standards as another factor in their success, noting that the number of dropped catches has fallen dramatically since the 2022 series against Sri Lanka.Looking ahead, Sammy stressed that the final WTC match – a home Test against Pakistan in June – will be decisive in determining whether the West Indies can secure a place among the top four..

“We have to finish strong, and we need to win that series to cement our position,” he warned. The coach outlined a two‑phase strategy: first, to consolidate the points gained in Bangladesh, and second, to fine‑tune the squad’s composition based on the performances in the upcoming series. “The selection panel will have a clear brief – we want players who can deliver under pressure and who fit the game plan we have developed over the last year,” he added.The coach also addressed the criticism that has dogged the West Indies in recent years for a perceived over‑reliance on overseas leagues, which some argued had weakened the domestic structure..

Sammy refuted that narrative, insisting that the exposure to franchise cricket has actually broadened the players’ skill sets. “Our players are learning from the best in the world, and they bring that knowledge back home,” he said. “The key is to blend that experience with the raw talent we have locally, and I think we are doing that successfully now.” He cited the emergence of all‑rounder Akeem Jordan, who has become a regular in both the Caribbean Premier League and the West Indies national side, as evidence of the positive impact of this integration.The West Indies board, meanwhile, has pledged additional resources to support the team’s preparation for the remainder of the WTC cycle..

An increased budget for high‑performance analytics, enhanced medical facilities, and a revised domestic calendar aimed at providing more red‑ball opportunities were announced in a press release last week. “We are committed to giving our players everything they need to compete at the highest level,” read the statement. The board’s chief executive, Dr Shirley Williams, echoed Sammy’s optimism, stating that the partnership between coaching staff and administration has never been stronger.Sammy also touched on the mental aspect of the game, acknowledging that the pressure of a championship race can be a double‑edged sword..

“There is a fine line between confidence and complacency,” he remarked. “We have sports psychologists working with the group to ensure they stay focused on the process rather than the outcome.” He recalled a turning point in the England series when the team, after a brief slump in the second innings of the second Test, rallied to a 215‑run victory thanks to a partnership between Brathwaite and Brathwaite’s younger brother, Raymon. “That moment showed us that belief in each other can turn the tide,” Sammy said.As the second Test against Bangladesh looms, the West Indies will field a side that blends seasoned campaigners with emerging talent, a combination that Sammy believes offers the right balance for the final stretch of the WTC campaign..

“We have the depth, the skill and the hunger to finish this cycle on a high,” he concluded. “If we maintain the standards we have set, there is no reason why we cannot achieve our goal and end the season as one of the top four teams in the world.” The match, slated to begin on 27 October, will be watched closely by supporters hoping that the Caribbean’s resurgence in Test cricket will translate into a place at the championship final and perhaps, eventually, a title..