As the first Test of a two-match series between West Indies and Sri Lanka prepares to get underway at North Sound, Antigua this Thursday, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has expressed confidence that his side has left no stone unturned in their preparations for both the local pitch conditions and Sri Lanka’s formidable spin-focused bowling attack.
Both international outfits enter this series hungry to turn around prolonged underperformance in Test cricket, the longest and most traditional format of the sport. The West Indies have failed to secure a win across their last five Test outings, collecting only a single draw in that stretch. For Sri Lanka, the results have been equally underwhelming: just one win in their past five matches, paired with one draw and three losses.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the team’s training camp in Antigua, Sammy detailed the intense work the playing squad and coaching staff have put in ahead of the opening clash. “Everyone has stepped up to adapt to these challenging conditions,” he said. “What has stood out most for me is the team’s focused attitude, as we’ve prepared for every scenario we could face in this first Test. From what we’ve observed as coaches and the feedback from training sessions, the work ethic has been really impressive.”
Sammy emphasized that the squad built their training plan specifically to counter Sri Lanka’s strength in spin bowling, a preparation he expects to pay off when play begins. “We designed every drill around the conditions we expect here in Antigua, and adjusted our game plan to match and neutralize Sri Lanka’s core skills to come out on top,” he explained. “We’ve already studied the match surface closely and have a clear picture of how it is likely to play out through the five days. Every part of our preparation has been customized to that context.”
Reflecting on his side’s recent inconsistent run in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, Sammy pinpointed key areas the squad has targeted for improvement. “Over our first six Test matches in this championship, we’ve learned that success comes from batting for long periods and avoiding collapse within a session,” he said. “We’ve often been in strong positions, but struggled to withstand a good bowling spell from the opposition. That’s one of the main areas we’ve focused on in training.”
While Sammy openly acknowledged the existing challenges facing the West Indies batting unit, he made clear that the team is ready to overcome those hurdles. “We’ve been drilling into the batters that they have to value their wicket and put in the work to bat long,” he said. “Test cricket isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon, and every player’s true character gets tested in this format. That’s the mindset we’ve been building.”
Ahead of the series, West Indies named a 15-player squad that sees the recall of wicketkeepers Joshua Da Silva and Amir Jangoo, while fast bowlers Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph return to the fold after recovering from injury-related absences. Sammy said he is fully satisfied with the selected group, noting that despite a truncated domestic first-class season leading into the series, players put up strong performances to earn their spots.
“I truly believe we’ve picked the strongest possible squad for this challenge against Sri Lanka,” he said. “For me, the biggest boost is having our full four-pronged pace attack back: Shamar Joseph, Alzarri Joseph, Jaden Seales, and the experienced Kemar Roach. These bowlers have been outstanding for us over the past two years, and we missed them badly in the latter part of last season. Having all of them fit and available is a huge advantage going into this series.”