West Indies head coach Daren Sammy revealed that he is already in discussions with white-ball players who he believes can add value to the Test squad, as he pointed out that change is inevitable if the team is to achieve success in the longer format of the game.

While Sammy, who recently took on the Test coaching responsibilities in addition to his ODI and T20 duties, made it clear that he does not intend to turn the Test side into a white-ball team, he is adamant about taking a strategic and fair approach to player selection.

In fact, Sammy, who will officially take the reins from Andre Coley on April 1, stressed that his primary focus is on selecting the best players for specific roles rather than restricting the Test team to traditional red-ball specialists.

“You want change because what has been happening was not successful,” Sammy said during a virtual press conference on Monday.

“I am one who always tries to go by the book. Andre Coley is still involved, but I intend to have all my conversations with different players about the brand of cricket we want to play, how we’re going to do it, and the personnel that will help us achieve that,” he added.

Given the West Indies’ struggle for consistency in their recent Test performances, there has been growing speculation about integrating more white-ball players into the red-ball squad.

Sammy acknowledged the need for a fresh approach, especially if their last Test against Pakistan was anything to go by, as the bowlers, particularly Jomel Warrican and Gudakesh Motie, had to do the job with both bat and ball.

“Apart from Kraigg Brathwaite, I don’t know any of our batters averaging 35 in Test cricket. So it is about understanding roles. We have a brand and style, and there will be roles that have to be filled. Some might suit one or the other. A batsman’s job is to score runs. I’ve never said I’m going to make the Test team a white-ball team. Let’s get that clear,” Sammy declared.

Sammy also disclosed that conversations have already taken place with certain white-ball players whom he believes possess the ability to perform well in Test cricket.

“I do believe there are players who play ODI cricket that are very much capable, based on their skill set, of being successful in Test cricket,” he explained.

Shai Hope likely to be among those on Sammy's radar.

“When you talk about change, there are a couple of ways it can be implemented—tactics, practice, or personnel. Conversations have already happened with certain individuals who I feel can be effective for us in that format, and I must say I have received some positive feedback,” Sammy shared.

However, the two-time T20 World Cup-winning stalwart made it clear that selection will not be automatic and will be based on fairness and a structured process.

“It will be done from a point of fairness, and it won’t be without a plan and process,” Sammy said.

He continued: “It is not everybody who wants to play Test cricket that will play Test cricket. There is a process and a skill set required to fulfill that role, and we have to be fair to all those young guys playing in the regional four-day tournament and putting their hand up for selection.

“When the time comes, with all the conversations I have had, when we sit down as a selection group, we will pick the personnel that best fits the roles required.”

Still, Sammy admitted that selecting white-ball players who are not involved in the West Indies Four-Day Championship is a delicate balance.

“We are in a situation where our most exposed and most successful players are playing white-ball cricket. Not taking anything away from what Kraigg Brathwaite and Andre Coley have achieved, but there is a level of consistency that we’ve seen in some of our white-ball players,” Sammy noted.

“My philosophy is that once you are a batsman, your job is to score runs in different conditions. I am not going to just turn the Test team into a white-ball team—that is not what I am about. But I see there are players who are very consistent in our white-ball squad who I feel can add value to the style and the brand that I want to instill in our cricket,” he stressed.

Finally, Sammy reiterated that the Test team’s selection criteria will not be based on past formats but on the ability to contribute effectively to the team’s success.

“That is how we’re going to go about it—whether that includes guys who have not played Test cricket before, guys who have been playing in the Test team, or guys who have performed in the regional tournament. The best players suited for the roles we need will be selected,” he ended.