Cricket West Indies (CWI) today, May 12, 2023, announced the appointments of the new Head Coaches for the West Indies Senior Men’s Teams. Andre Coley has been appointed Head Coach for the Test and ‘A’ Teams.
Daren Sammy, a former West Indies captain who won the T20 World Cup twice, has been named the head coach of the white-ball One Day International (ODI) and T20 International (T20I) Teams.
Sammy, a former West Indies captain in all three formats, led his team to ICC T20 World Cup triumphs in 2012 and 2016. He has worked as a franchise team coach in the Pakistan Super League and Caribbean Premier League since his retirement.
The 39-year-old Sammy said: “It will be a challenge but one that I’m ready for and excited about. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity, especially looking at the players we have and the impact that I believe I can have in the dressing room. I believe I will bring the same approach as I had as a player: the passion, the desire for success, and my undying love for West Indies cricket.
When I look around there is an abundance of talent, and what I saw in South Africa in the white ball matches under new captains Shai Hope and Rovman Powell and the leadership provided by Andre Coley, there is great belief that we can do well. I’m looking forward to imparting my knowledge, my tactical acumen, my communication skills and my man-management skills. I get excited about putting the plans together and seeing the players execute them.”
CWI announced in March that the role of Head Coach for the West Indies Senior Men’s Teams will be split into two separate positions.
“I Am Honored To Be Appointed West Indies Men’s Head Coach Of The Red-Ball Team”- Andre Coley
Coley, a former Jamaican wicketkeeper and batter, has coached cricket in the West Indies at all levels. He served as interim head coach of the West Indies team during earlier this year’s tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa while holding his most recent role as head coach of the West Indies Academy.
He said: “I am honored to be appointed West Indies Men’s Head Coach of the red-ball team after serving in the interim role on the Zimbabwe and South Africa tours. I am looking forward to the challenges ahead, as well as the opportunities as we sharpen our focus on moving up the Test rankings, and qualifying for the World Test Championship final in June 2025. I also look forward to working with all our stakeholders, deepening relationships and fostering a high-performance mindset.
I am also excited to be working closely with the ‘A Team’ as we seek to optimise opportunities for teams to play competitive cricket outside of our first-class competition and giving players greater exposure to different conditions at the international level. I believe that my expertise in the use of analytics, my leadership style and technical knowledge along with collaborative efforts alongside Daren, will make a positive contribution to player development and team performances.”
Following an open and transparent interview process, the new Head Coaches were chosen, and the positions were officially made following the CWI Board of Directors meeting on May 11th.
Johnny Grave, CEO of CWI said: “We are delighted to announce the appointments of Andre and Daren to the positions of red ball and white ball Head Coaches of the Senior Men’s Teams. They are well equipped for their roles, and we are confident they will bring different perspectives, skills and real passion to the West Indies dressing room. The introduction of separate coaches signals the start of a new approach for the West Indies Men’s Teams, and we know it will enable greater focus on player communication, team planning and preparation to the benefit of our players and West Indies cricket.”
The recruitment process for a Head Coach of the West Indies Women’s team has commenced and the deadline for applications of Wednesday 17 May.