Sammy urges West Indies to finish WTC cycle strongly to strengthen hand in pay talks

Sammy wants results on the field to strengthen the team's hand off it

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has urged his players to finish the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle on a high, insisting that strong performances would put them in a better position to negotiate with the board.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) recently announced a series of sweeping measures aimed at addressing what it described as a financial, developmental and competitive crisis, including a 25% cut in international players' retainer fees. Cricbuzz understands that West Indies players are yet to sign their national contracts.

Sammy said the issue was not a concern in the dressing room at the moment, with his focus on ensuring the team performs well enough to be in a stronger position at the negotiating table.

"No, if you look at the way we played in the India series when the news (about the pay cut) was put to the players and how they responded in that India series shows the drive, the passion, the willingness to help turn around West Indies cricket," said Sammy.

"And what I've challenged the guys to do is to put ourselves in a better position to negotiate and attract sponsors by the performances we put on the field. And I thought the white-ball teams did that extremely well in India and hopefully we could do that as a red-ball team here in Bangladesh," he said.

Prize money and a chance to climb the table

Sammy said the stakes were high for both teams, with Bangladesh, currently fourth in the WTC standings, looking to secure maximum points from the series and strengthen their chances of reaching the final. West Indies, meanwhile, will be aiming to improve on their eighth-place finishes in the previous two cycles.

"My word to the guys, especially this Test Championship, you finish in the top five there's extra incentives. ICC has invested a lot of money in the World Test Championships in terms of prize money, and it's an opportunity for our boys to come up from the number eight that we've finished in the last two cycles," Sammy said.

"I think the stakes are high for both teams. Everybody is playing Test cricket to win. When the Test Championship started we had our goals where we wanted to finish. Looking at what we have, the opposition, and we're in a very good position to achieve that goal," said Sammy.

He added that the team had not lost a series in 2026 and described the remaining two Tests as an opportunity to finish the cycle with the goal they set when it began in 2025.

"The expectations are always there. Like I said, the way we've played Test cricket this year, we've not lost a series this year. It's a long time we've gone through a year without losing a series. And it's our last series in the Test Championship. The message to the guys, give it all," he said.

Hope absence an opening for others

Sammy acknowledged that West Indies would miss the in-form Shai Hope but stressed that his absence would give other players an opportunity to step up. He pointed to Justin Greaves, Jangu, John Campbell, Brandon King, Warrican, Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales as players who could contribute.

"Shai Hope, we've seen what he's done. And since he's played all formats, he's been excellent for us. But so too has Justin Greaves, Jangu, John Campbell, the way he's improved, Brandon King coming into Test cricket, Warrican, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales. So we don't rely on one person. We miss Shai Hope but it's an opportunity for somebody else to step up and make a name for themselves."

Shamar Joseph on track for opening Test

Sammy also expressed optimism about Shamar Joseph's availability for the opening Test, scheduled to begin at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on October 28. The fast bowler had missed the practice match due to a stomach upset.

"He (Joseph) was running quite hard in the nets today. And one thing I know about Shamar, once that bell rings and he makes himself available, we're going to get 110% from him every single time," Sammy said.

"So hopefully from all reports we're selecting from 15 men and yeah, I'm excited to finish the Test Championship against a team like Bangladesh who have proven to be extremely difficult to beat at home, especially coming from some good results in this year's Test cycle. So hopefully we entertain, but when we entertain West Indies come out victorious," he concluded.