West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has opened up about the long-standing financial challenges facing the team, admitting that the lack of funds continues to impact operations and player morale. The statement came before the second Test between India and the West Indies, scheduled to begin on October 10 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Earlier, Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced a series of immediate and long-term reforms aimed at revitalizing West Indies cricket. The decision followed an emergency
meeting of the Cricket Strategy and Officiating Committee held in August, attended by several legends of the sport.
The meeting was convened in response to a string of disappointing results, most notably the historic defeat to Australia at Sabina Park in the final Test of the July series. The West Indies were bowled out for just 27 runs, the second-lowest total in Test history, while chasing 204. The team suffered a 3–0 clean sweep at home, prompting widespread concern about the state of regional cricket.
The August session brought together a wide cross-section of key stakeholders, including like legends Brian Lara and Sir Clive Lloyd, captains Shai Hope and Roston Chase, head coach and team management, as well as former players such as Anthony Grey and Ramnaresh Sarwan, as per a CWI statement.
Sammy also revealed that cricketing icons Lara, Sir Vivian Richards, and Richie Richardson have joined forces to raise sponsorship support for the team as part of the broader effort to stabilize and strengthen West Indies cricket.
“It’s no secret. We’ve been struggling with self-finance for a long time. That’s one of the reasons why Brian Lara, Viv Richards, and Richie Richardson are hosting the event this afternoon to try to secure sponsors to help in some of the areas that need improvement,” said Sammy to reporters at the pre-match press conference.
“For me, as a coach, when I call a player and tell him that he’s been selected for the West Indies, and I’m hoping that he accepts the selection, you know that tells us where our cricket is. As a kid, I remember being at Lords in 2004, an MCC young cricketer, when I got a call from Zura. Once I saw the area code 1268, I knew it was from Antigua. I was hoping it was a call from the West Indies Cricket Board, and I was so excited; times have changed now,” he added.
Sammy has also thrown down a challenge to his players and coaching staff, urging them to outwork their rivals rather than dwell on the lack of resources, facilities, or technology. The head coach emphasized that commitment and effort must bridge the gaps caused by financial constraints, calling on the squad to take pride in representing the Caribbean side.
“We could only work with what we have and who’s willing. The inability to match some of the franchises across the world is an issue, but what I always tell these guys is that if we complain about not having the best facilities, not having enough manpower like the other teams, not having the best of technology, and all these things which the other teams are superior to us then why the hell are they outworking us?,” Sammy said.
“The only way we could match up at a consistent level is if we, as the coaches and the players, are prepared to outwork the opposition, and we’re not doing that, so that’s where I’m actually challenging them. When you practise, when you train, when you strategise to be more precise, more purposeful, and I must say again today, I see they’re starting to understand what we’re trying to do,” he concluded.
