Men’s T20 World Cup 2024: WI’ ready! – Coach Sammy

“We’re ready! W,I! When I say we, it’s not w,e; it’s WI! West Indies ready for the World Cup!” West Indies white ball Head Coach Daren Sammy confidently expressed with his trademark smile on Monday, when quizzed about the team’s preparedness for the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup.

The World Cup is set to be co-hosted in the USA and the Caribbean, and West Indies have a chance to lift a record third Cup in front of their home fans on June 29th.
Adding what would be required from the team in the global event, Sammy highlighted execution as a crucial factor.
Sammy shared, “It doesn’t matter who we play, once we respect our opposition, be confident in our group, and you know my word is always about the execution. Once we go out and do that, you know, we should be able to play a brand of cricket that will enable us to get victories.”
Reflecting on the team’s build up to the World Cup, which has seen them opposing and winning three T20 Series on the trot, Sammy noted that it has been beneficial to the team’s confidence.
“Oh yes! 2023 was a really good year! Obviously, we had a new captain in Rovman Powell; you know, he didn’t lose a series in 2023. For us as a team, building up to this World Cup, winning matches always builds confidence,” Sammy explained.
He added about picking up wins against solid opposition teams like India, South Africa and England, “That was massive for us. We did not win a series against India for a long time, and so for us to do that on home soil, where the World Cup will be, it spoke volumes. The manner in which we won, it was amazing to watch. So, I believe my guys are ready, and more victories breed more character, breed more self- belief, breed more cohesiveness in the team, and it allows me as a Head Coach to have players that are in form to pick from.”
While the West Indies suffered a 2-1 series defeat to Australia Down Under earlier this year, the white ball head coach was still able to draw some positive aspects from that series.
He opined, “Scoring 200 in all three batting innings against Australia, that was amazing. Great conditions to play in, both teams were always under pressure, but the manner in which we scored (those) runs — and I still feel we had a lot left in the tank as a batting group; not everybody fired, but you know, especially that last game, being 70-something for 5 to still end up scoring over 200 — it shows the depth in our team.
“It sends a strong message to the world from a batting group: West Indies is a dangerous force,” a confident Sammy stated.
More reflection brought the two-time World Cup-winning captain back to the days when he lifted the trophy as a player on the West Indies team. Discussing those memories with a particular fondness, Sammy shared just how special a win in the Caribbean this June would be.
Sammy shared, “I had a good team. Winning the World Cup twice: 2012, 2016, and now as a head coach, that would be the icing on the cake to be able to be at home raising silverware right in front of our home fans. That would be something special. I think it would be right up there with the 2016 and 2012 World Cup!
“And just the growth with our team, and just the whole impact it would have on not just our cricket, but the whole region! When West Indies do well, there’s a buzz,” Sammy added.
The Men in Maroon are likely to face South Africa again before this year’s T20 World Cup bowls off on June 1. (Jemima Holmes)