Head Coach of the West Indies Men’s White Ball team, Darren Sammy, is calling for support from cricket fans in the region for the upcoming England series here at home. The Men In Maroon will face England in 3 CG United ODIs and 5 T20Is to be played in Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, and Trinidad from December 3 to 21.
“Having experienced the joy of playing, I saw how we came together as one when I was your captain,” Sammy wrote in a letter to fans.
“I know and believe we can achieve greater things. So I welcome you once again to be part of the Home Team as we face England in the upcoming series.”
He added, “On the field, starting December 3, WI will be home to face England as part of the festive season as we go through December 21st. It always feels great to see the West Indies flag flying, hearing our music, and seeing the dancing in the stands as we celebrate what is truly a unique way of watching the game in this unique part of the world.”
Sammy stated that in every match, no matter where it is played or who it is played against, the West Indies team has the ability to create history and a lasting legacy.
“I know the feeling: we saw it in 2012 in Sri Lanka and we witnessed it again in 2016 in India,” he wrote.
Along that line, Sammy is calling for support from Windies fans across the region.
“I want to urge you to join our ‘Home’ team and rally round the West Indies when WI come home to face England in December,” he said. “Let’s fill the stands with pride and joy, let’s paint the town Maroon and have a blessed Christmas season on and off the field.”
The series is set to be an intense one with England looking to bounce back after their disappointing Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign and with the West Indies having missed out on qualification to feature at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
The series will also mark West Indies’ return to international cricket, having last played when India toured the region in August. During that tour, the Windies lost the three-match ODI series 2-1, but claimed a 3-2 T20I series win.
Match fixtures:
1st ODI, December 3 at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua
2nd ODI, December 6 at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua
3rd ODI, December 9 at Kensington Oval, Barbados T20 series
1st T20I: December 12 at Kensington Oval, Barbados
2nd T20I: December 14 at National Cricket Stadium, Grenada
3rd T20I: December 16 at National Cricket Stadium, Grenada
4th T20I: December 19 at Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago
5th T20I: December 21 at Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago
Sammy only making himself a pappyshow. When the West Indies stop forming the fool and start playing competitive cricket then the fans will begin to rally around them.
Sammy, be serious. Rally around what? We don’t like the mediocrity that’s West Indies cricket of recent years. Ever since big money entered into West Indies cricket the level of performance has shrunk and the level of embarrassment has gone way up. The players of the past glory days let their play on the field speak but now these misfits give us happy talk. It’s always trying to spin some positive whereas they have embarrassed us with their subpar performances. They are being pampered with all kinds of services and specialists and they play a lot more with more opportunities to improve their ability but they just feel too entitled and have no shame with no pride for the region and cricket fans. Sammy, when are you guys going to give us something to rally around? We long for the winning mentality of the good old day, to rally ’round the West Indies.
Nah, I’m not going to waste my time you all not even playing one game in Dominica
Perhaps you guys should give people reason to rally around the team. Cannot bat, cannot bowl and you want people to rally around the team. A team that consistently disappoints its supporters.