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“[…] 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 task of coaching all three formats, as the results indicate.
“[…] 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 consider what’s available to McCullum in terms of financial resources, infrastructure, and human resources…”
The following Letter to the Editor on the changes needed to improve West Indies cricket was submitted to Wired868 by renowned cricket commentator Joseph “Reds” Perreira. This is an edited version of Reds’ letter, which was sent to the Caricom Sub-committee:
Copyright: Associated Press.
I write as Cricket West Indies (CWI) is facing its worst financial crisis ever, while the West Indies are 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 task of coaching all three formats, as the results indicate.
I do feel that it’s unfair to Coach Sammy and any other coach with such responsibilities to achieve the success CWI is aiming for 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 consider 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.
This is certainly not the case with Daren Sammy’s responsibilities.
In the circumstances, CWI might consider allowing Sammy to focus only on the white ball responsibilities. The pressure on this young coach can be lessened by re-appointing former West Indies Test coach, Andre Coley, for the tour of New Zealand.
(via CWI Media.)
Under the former Jamaican wicketkeeper, the performances have been successful in Pakistan and 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 serve as the new batting coach, while also being capable of improving the overall level of feeling, and more.
For a number of years, we have been hearing about the use of former WI icons, but there has been no real action to bring them directly into the running and improving of the game.
This could involve appointing the former greats as part of the CWI Cricket Committee and might further consider Brian Lara as chairperson of that significant group.
The pressure on both coaches (Sammy and Coley) will be much less if the board were to appoint Test selectors who have operated successfully in the past and may look to some new blood in the former WI players Leon Johnson and Tony Gray.
They could draw on the experience of former successful selector Lockhart Sebastien, who was a Windward standout.
I believe 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 2025.
It is only fair for me to point out that a former WI opening batsman with ICC experience, Adrian Griffith, should also be considered as a possible director of cricket.
Photo: AFP/ Getty Images.
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.
This includes working on batting and bowling, with the former outstanding WI batsman Desmond Haynes and the legendary bowler 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) 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.
I would also appeal to them for sponsorship for the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) to be able to play in this year’s 50 Over WI Tournament because of the financial pressure on the WI Board.
This great financial gesture would expose 30 young players in this year’s competition in the best interest of West Indies youth cricket.
A copy of this statement will be provided to the Sub-Committee.
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It ought to be clear to anyone with ears and eyes to the ground that CWI’s options are severely constrained by the scarcity of available resource.
Who honestly believes that Sammy got the nod as all-formats coach for any reason other than the price at which he was available?
Besides, realistically, can we afford to maintain a red-ball team? Are we not allowing nostalgia and sentimentality to guide us? If the ISS rules/arrangements do not require us to field a Test team to get their asses cut left, right and centre year after year after year with little realistic hope of a turnaround, why are we burdening ourselves with a side that can do no better than Jamel Warrican as vice-captain?
What really is the point?
That, Reds, is what we should be asking Clive Lloyd, Brian Lara, Desmond Haynes, Gus Logic and company.
And we should not wait until Nepal whips us in a Test series to do something about what is CLEARLY a lost cause.