New Delhi, Oct 8 (UNI) Darren Sammy, the head coach of the West Indies, has painted a stark picture of the state of Test cricket in the Caribbean, likening its decline to a cancer that has been allowed to grow unchecked for many years.
The two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain was candid about the challenges the team faces, acknowledging the value of criticism while emphasising that the issues at the heart of West Indies Test cricket are far from new.
Sammy, with his characteristic humour, pointed out that the last time the West Indies secured a Test series victory in India was back in 1983, the very year he was born. But the levity soon gave way to gravity. “It’s like a cancer in the system,” he explained, stressing that the problems are deep-rooted rather than superficial.
“I know now I’m under the microscope. We’re open to criticism, to be criticised by everybody. But the root of the problem didn’t start two years ago. It’s something that started way back. It’s like a cancer that’s already in the system. If you don’t get cancer, you know what happens. And, again, it’s breast cancer month. So it’s a good way to put it. Our problems don’t lie on the surface. It’s rooted deep into our system.”
The West Indies’ struggles were laid bare in the first Test against India, where they succumbed to a crushing innings-and-140-run defeat, a result that left fans questioning the team’s resilience.
Legendary batsman Brian Lara has also remarked on the dwindling enthusiasm among players for Test cricket. Sammy was in agreement, insisting that the side can only depend on those who are truly committed.
Infrastructure and resources remain a long-standing obstacle for Caribbean cricket. Facilities are limited, technological support lags behind the leading nations, and financial constraints have hampered progress for decades.
“We could only work with what we have and who’s willing,” Sammy said.
Sammy acknowledged that West Indies cricket has long faced challenges in keeping pace with some of the world’s top franchises. He suggested that while it is easy to point to shortcomings in facilities, manpower, or technology, these gaps are well-known and have persisted for some time.
The disparity between the leading teams and those struggling at the lower end of the spectrum has only grown clearer over the years. Addressing these issues requires resources, and initiatives like the event being hosted by Brian Lara and Shiv Chanderpaul aim to attract sponsorships to strengthen the areas most in need of support.
