Sammy turns attention to series win after conquering first hurdle

West Indies men broke the jinx of their Test team revamp by winning their first game since assuming new leadership in 2025.
The innings and 217-run victory were highlighted by a double century from Amir Jangoo, Roston Chase’s sparkling 194 and pacer Kemar Roach reaching his 300th Test wicket milestone.
Reflecting on the victory, Head Coach Daren Sammy noted that the win was one that they can draw confidence from.
Sammy expressed, “Very pleasing. You know, as coaches, you want results. It’s been hard; it’s been tough for the Test team in this Test Championship, but the manner in which we won will give everybody confidence. It gives you that belief in the work that you put in, the plans that you put in, the way you want to play, and the players that you’ve asked to take on that battle for you. And to see them come to fruition.”
Sammy highlighted a number of the standout performances, reasoning, “A lot of things happened that, when you reflect, we were building towards that. We were showing little moments and glimpses of it in test matches before but being able to do it over a sustained period of time, enough to put pressure on the opposition to get the results. That’s a lot to take forward into the next Test.”
With the Windies men now improving their century count in this World Test Championship cycle, Sammy credited batting coach Floyd Reifer for his work.
“A combination of Floyd Reifer and the willingness of the players and the work ethic of the players,” Sammy responded to enquiries about the batting, “Because we’re here to prepare them as coaches, but you know, buying in to the preparation, buying in to the different aspects and techniques and areas of improvement and committing to the work. I got to singe out Floyd Reifer for that, the messaging; he gets a lot of flak, but he has never faltered.”
“He’s strong in his messaging, his work ethic is amazing, and he continues to put in the work with the batters.”
“And even in the one-day format as well, the number of one-day hundreds that we’ve had over the last three years has been slow, but it’s progress, but that’s what we’re about: trying to build on progress,” he continued.
Similarly, bowling coach Ravi Rampaul came in for praise as Sammy relished his bowlers capturing all 20 wickets in their last four matches.
“Again, the players being ready, having Shamar Joseph, Alzarri Joseph, and Jayden Seales; the experience of Kemar Roach; and buying in to the preparation. Again, Ravi Rampaul has been a big part of that. When I inherited the test squad, I also knew I had a bowling unit that could take 20 wickets, especially with the two Josephs and Jayden and the experience of Kemar in there,” Sammy shared.
“I think it’s just attention to detail, trusting in the planning that’s been brought forward from us coaches and the analyst, and the most important part is them executing out there. Because we could have all the plans, but plans without execution are just all talk. The bowling unit has really taken on the responsibility of being disciplined.”
With the first test now behind them, the Head Coach is no longer dwelling on that result, with a series win now being the main priority.
The all-format Head Coach declared, “The first test is history; we could take the positives in to it, but we’ve still got to come back and put the performance in to the second Test. Sri Lanka would not be a walkover; we’ve still got to remain disciplined, plan properly again and believe in the execution.”
“So, it’s good to get our first Test win, but that’s not what we wanted; we wanted a series win. Remain in the moment; that’s what I’ll tell the guys. We prepare well; we give ourselves the best chance of performing, but once that bell rings, remain calm in the moment, one ball at a time,” Sammy added.
The West Indies will look to seal their first Test series win against Sri Lanka since 2003 in the final match, set to bowl off on Friday, July 3 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.