‘Batting more made me proud’ – Daren Sammy on West Indies’ improvement in Test batting

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has highlighted his team’s improved batting application across recent Test matches. The team recently won the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka 1-0 and also successfully drew the Test series against Pakistan, marking a shift in their approach to the longest format. Sammy’s focus on specific batting targets has yielded measurable results in first-innings performance.

The West Indies batting unit has worked towards clear key performance indicators under Sammy’s coaching. One primary goal was to extend batting partnerships and increase first-innings totals, moving away from shorter innings that had previously limited the team’s competitive edge in Test cricket.

“Batting more [made me proud]. We were averaging, I think, about 60-something overs in the first innings of a Test match. One of our goals was to either score quicker or bat longer to give ourselves a chance in the game. And 90 overs was one of the KPIs, for us being able to bat out 90 overs first, you know, to move the average from 60 to at least a second new ball,” Sammy was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

How have West Indies improved their first-innings approach?

First-innings totals have shown marked improvement. West Indies have crossed 300 in the first innings in each of their last five Tests, a significant step forward from their previous average. In the series against Sri Lanka, the team posted 626 for 9 declared in the first Test, while also scoring 600 and 499 in other recent matches.

“We’ve been able to do that. We faced two new balls, I think, every time in the first innings in the last five Test matches. You know, that’s an achievement for us. The 300 first-inning score was something that was big on our agenda,” Daren continued.

Sammy gives credit to batting coach for the improved show

Multiple batsmen have contributed centuries across the recent Test matches. West Indies scored five centuries in their last five Tests, including a 233 from Amir Jangoo. This spread of individual performances reflects the work done by the coaching staff to develop consistency across the batting order.

Sammy credited Floyd Reifer, the West Indies batting coach, for his work with the team’s batsmen. The contributions have come from players including Brandon King, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Kavem Hodge and John Campbell.

“Guys like Justin Greaves and Shai Hope and even the captain, Roston Chase; contributions from Kavem Hodge, John Campbell, the batsmen have come in and we’ve gotten hundreds from different people in different games. So hitting those KPIs with the bowling unit that we know could get 20 wickets, I think that puts us in place to compete at Test cricket,” Sammy continued.

The combination of improved batting performance and a capable bowling unit has positioned West Indies to compete more effectively in Test cricket.