West Indies head coach Darren Sammy hasn’t held back, delivering a stark and honest assessment of Caribbean Test cricket. He describes its long-standing decline as a “cancer in the system,” one that has been silently growing for decades.
Following his team’s crushing defeat to India in the first Test, losing by an innings and 140 runs, Sammy openly admitted his disappointment with the team’s lack of fight. However, he emphasized that the underlying issues run far deeper than just recent match outcomes.
Sammy tried to lighten the mood, noting, “The last time we won a Test series was in 1983, when my mother had just given birth to me.” But he quickly grew serious, acknowledging, “I know I’m under intense scrutiny now, and we’re an easy target for criticism. However, the origin of these problems didn’t begin just two years ago; they are deeply historical.”
He then used a powerful analogy, comparing the situation to “a cancer that’s already in the system. If you don’t treat cancer, you know the devastating outcome. Coincidentally, it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so it’s a fitting way to illustrate that our issues aren’t superficial; they’re deeply embedded within our structure.”
The former two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain recognized that while contemporary players have strong role models in limited-overs cricket, the Test format in the West Indies has languished due to inadequate infrastructure, insufficient financial backing, and declining player motivation.
“We’re limited to working with the resources and individuals currently available and willing,” he stated, highlighting that the inability to compete with global T20 franchises for player talent has been a significant challenge. He further lamented the growing financial chasm between leading cricket nations and smaller boards.
“The disparity between the world’s top three or four teams and the bottom four is stark,” Sammy observed, emphasizing, “We’ve faced financial struggles for a considerable period.”
Sammy also underscored the West Indies’ failure to capitalize commercially during their era of dominance. “We played five Test matches, four months in one place, entertaining the world while other cricket boards reaped the financial rewards,” he recalled. “We desperately need those financial resources to foster growth and progress.”
Despite the formidable challenges, Sammy maintains a hopeful outlook, aiming to cultivate a renewed culture where players once again treasure Test cricket. “When I contact a player to inform them of their selection for the West Indies, my hope is that they eagerly accept the call,” he expressed.
Following their crushing defeat in Ahmedabad, the West Indies will seek an opportunity for redemption in the second Test against India, scheduled to begin on October 10th in New Delhi.