By: Joseph “Reds” Perriera
I write as Cricket West Indies (CWI) is facing the worst financial crisis ever while the West Indies is showing glimpses of fight in India.
I think I am reflecting a majority feeling among Caribbean cricket lovers that CWI’s executive may be overloading the responsibility of former West Indies player Daren Sammy with the responsibility of coaching all three formats as the results indicate simply by itself. I do feel that it’s really unfair to Coach Sammy and any other coach with such a responsibility to achieve the success CWI is hoping to achieve without having the necessary resources.
No doubt there may be comments suggesting Brendon McCullum is carrying out the exact role for the England Test and County Board but let’s examine what’s available to McCullum in terms of financial resources, infrastructure, and human resources along with all the outstanding former England players available for him to use in developing all three formats and this is certainly not the case with Daren Sammy’s responsibilities. In the circumstances, CWI may consider allowing Sammy to focus only on the White Ball responsibilities and the pressure on this young coach can be lessened by re-appointing former West Indies (WI) Test Coach, Andre Coley, for the tour of New Zealand, as the performances will show under the former Jamaican Wicket keeper to have success in Pakistan and in Australia, with Coley choosing his own batting and bowling coaches and backroom staff which must be separate from the white ball entity.
One of the reasons it’s felt that the WI have added the tour of Bangladesh is to regain some important preparation along with some important points towards qualifying for the next T20 World Cup. CWI may also consider including the experience of former WI player and coach, Gus Logie who can both serve as the new batting coach whilst also being capable of improving the overall level of feeling etc.
For a number of years we have been hearing about the use of former WI icons but there has been really no action to bring directly into the running and improving of the game. This may be done by involving the former greats as part of the CWI Cricket Committee and may further consider appointing Brian Lara as chairperson of that very important group.
The pressure will be much less on both coaches (Sammy and Coley) if the Board may retreat to the appointment of Test Selectors which has operated successfully in the past and may look to some new blood in the former WI players Leon Johnson and Tony Gray and draw on the experience of former successful Selector Lockhard Sebastien who was a Windward stand out. For the possible reinstatement of selectors, will I expect to consult both coaches before presenting their squads to CWI?
I feel it is relevant to look at the performance of Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe and a review of his decisions can be made by the end of year 2025. It is only fair that I point out that a former WI opening batsman with ICC experience, Adrian Griffith, be also considered as a possible Director of Cricket.
I write without any malice or disrespect for anyone but what I consider to be the necessary adjustments to be made to improve on-the-field performance in terms of batting and bowling with the former WI outstanding batsman Desmond Haynes and the legendary Curtly Ambrose in a practical way advising the players and working with the coaches.
I however, would like to appeal to the esteemed leaders of the Caricom Sub-Committee (headed by Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali along with PM Mia A Mottley, Barbados, SVG PM Ralph Gonsalves and PM Gaston Browne, Antigua and Barbuda) to request from the Republic Bank Ltd headquarters in Trinidad and the main office of Exxon Mobile in Guyana to each sponsor CWI’s Cricket Academy Squad and, similarly that of the CCC to be able to play in this year’s 50 Over WI Tournament due to the financial pressure on the WI Board and, by this great financial gesture to expose 30 young players in this year’s competition in the best interest West Indies youth cricket.
Dr Joseph “Reds” Perreira is a sports commentator with experience that includes attending 5 ICC World Cups and experiencing test cricket since 1953 when India toured the WI.
