With the first ball of the Test series against Australia just days away, West Indies head coach Darren Sammy has drawn confidence not only from the tactical preparation of his players but also from the spirit, unity, and fierce attention to detail displayed throughout their just-concluded pre-series camp.
The 10-day camp, which began on June 11 in Barbados, was described by Sammy as a crucial phase in the team’s development as they prepare to defend home turf against the formidable Australians, who have not tasted a Test series defeat in the Caribbean since 1991. In fact, the last time the West Indies won a Test series against Australia was in 1992-93.
"I am happy with what I saw during this camp. The energy and effort the guys put in is something I always emphasize. You don’t need talent to give effort, and the effort and attention to detail that was on display in the camp was good," Sammy said.
"We know Australia is a team that has not lost in the Caribbean since 1991, and so we know what challenges we face. We went in their backyard and drew a series, and the culture we are trying to build is to make home our fortress, and what I have seen the last 10 days here at the camp tells me that we are ready for the first Test at Kensington," he added.
Unlike traditional camps that might focus broadly on fitness and form, Sammy and his coaching staff designed this session around key game scenarios, as they placed emphasis on clarity of role and Test-match endurance.
“The squad was carefully selected with specific roles in mind and what it is that is required for us to be successful playing at this international level. We had two intense days that mimicked full days of Test cricket. We focused on how the openers should approach the innings, how the middle order builds around that, and other specifics in terms of how we want to go about things," Sammy explained.
According to Sammy, the goal is not just to show up but to be strategically prepared to win when action gets going next Wednesday.
"We need to be able to take 20 wickets in order to win a Test match, and we need to be able to bat at least 120 overs in the first innings. It is something we never do. Cricket is a game of shifting fortunes and glorious uncertainties, so for us it is focusing on our preparation, understanding the challenge that we will be facing, which is the opposition, and coming up with a game plan that we back ourselves to execute," he declared.
Sammy, who took the reins during a period of transition, pointed out that there is a long-term vision at play, one built on purpose, clarity, and consistency. And that vision is not clouded by who may or may not be in the opposition’s starting team.
"So Australia, whether Steve Smith is there or not, are equally capable of winning Test matches. The statistics have shown and proven over the last decade that they are one of the top teams in the world, and so it's for us now to fine-tune and focus on the areas where we have to improve," Sammy shared.
"We’ve looked at our performances from the last World Test Championship cycle and are working to build on the good and correct the bad in this cycle and build for the future. We do have a brand that we want to play, and the personnel that we have selected need to go out and do well," he noted.
Still, despite Australia’s pedigree, Sammy was unequivocal about his team’s belief.
"We are confident. We wouldn’t be training the way we are or planning the way we are if we didn’t believe we could win. That’s what it’s all about—building a winning culture, communicating clearly, and backing each other. Because when you’re going up against the top team in the world, you’ll need every ounce of that belief," he ended.