Former West Indies cricketer Darren Sammy has been named as the New West Indies head Coach of the white ball – ODIs and T20I – teams. While former wicketkeeper batter Andrey Cole was named the head coach of the senior men’s red-ball teams.
Darren Sammy Named As West Indies Head Coach
Darren Sammy was the most successful T20I captain for the West Indies team. He is a two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain.
Sammy is the only captain to have won World T20 twice. He captained West Indies to the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 victory against Sri Lanka, West Indies’ first major trophy for 8 years (having won the ICC Champions trophy against England in 2004). Sammy again captained West Indies to victory in the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 against
“It will be a challenge but one that I’m ready for and excited about,” Sammy said on his appointment. “I’m really looking forward to the opportunity, especially looking at the players we have and the impact that I believe I can have in the dressing room. I believe I will bring the same approach as I had as a player: the passion, the desire for success, and my undying love for West Indies cricket.”
Sammy comes into the role after having been the skipper of West Indies’ two T20 World Cup-winning sides (2012 and 2016). Sammy has coaching experience in T20 leagues with PSL side Peshawar Zalmi as well as the CPL team St. Lucia Zouks.
“When I look around there is an abundance of talent, and what I saw in South Africa in the white-ball matches under new captains Shai Hope and Rovman Powell and the leadership provided by Andre Coley, there is great belief that we can do well. I’m looking forward to imparting my knowledge, my tactical acumen, my communication skills and my man-management skills. I get excited about putting the plans together and seeing the players execute them,” Sammy added.
Andrey Coley Named As West Indies Red Ball Coach
Andrey Coley is a former Jamaica wicket-keeper batter who has coached at all levels in West Indies cricket. He has coached Jamaica and the Windward Islands in West Indian domestic cricket and was appointed interim head coach of the West Indies cricket team in 2022.
“I am honoured to be appointed West Indies Men’s Head Coach of the red-ball team after serving in the interim role on the Zimbabwe and South Africa tours,” Coley said. “I am looking forward to the challenges ahead, as well as the opportunities as we sharpen our focus on moving up the Test rankings and qualifying for the World Test Championship final in June 2025. I also look forward to working with all our stakeholders, deepening relationships and fostering a high-performance mindset.
“I am also excited to be working closely with the ‘A Team’ as we seek to optimise opportunities for teams to play competitive cricket outside of our first-class competition and giving players greater exposure to different conditions at the international level. I believe that my expertise in the use of analytics, my leadership style and technical knowledge along with collaborative efforts alongside Daren, will make a positive contribution to player development and team performances,” Coley added.
He did not represent the West Indies at the senior international level, but did play for the Under 19 team for 2 years, and for the Jamaican team at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.
