Have had in-depth conversations with Hetmyer, Lewis, and others: Sammy

The recently-appointed white-ball coach of West Indies, Daren Sammy said he has had "in-depth conversations" with senior players like Evin Lewis, Andre Russell, Shimron Hetmyer and Sunil Narine about how they can be “reintegrated” into the national set-up. 

The aforementioned names have regularly been playing franchise cricket but haven’t played a lot for West Indies. Lewis last played for West Indies in October 2022, while Russell and Narine haven’t been around since 2021 and 2019 respectively. 

Meanwhile, Hetmyer made himself available for the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe but the selectors decided to overlook him and went with new players who did well in South Africa. Hetmyer last played for West Indies in August 2022.

"Well, first thing I'd like to make it known is everyone who plays regional cricket is available or is indicating that they're available for West Indies selection," ESPNcricinfo quoted Sammy as saying.

"I've had conversations with both Hetty and Evin Lewis. Having played not too long ago and understanding the complaints of players - and the lack thereof of communication - I think it's important for us to communicate.

“It sounds simple but I understand that just clear communication makes the process better and it gives you a better understanding. So, yes, I've had in-depth conversations with Shimron and Evin Lewis about their mindset, their plans, and where they see West Indies cricket in line with themselves in it.

"I must tell you that the feedback has been positive and I've also reached out to guys like Andre Russell. I've reached out to Sunil Narine and all these guys, too, to hear what their thoughts are. Because they still take part in some of our domestic competitions. But it takes honest and mature conversations, which is one I'm not afraid to have with the players. 

“I'm encouraged by the discussions that we've had when it comes to West Indies cricket, outlining clear plans as to how we reintegrate because these players….look at the caliber of Shimron…I'm sure it hurts fans to see him perform elsewhere and not in the maroon."

This is the first time Sammy will be coaching an international side but he has coached St Lucia and Peshawar Zalmi in the CPL and PSL respectively. The 39-year-old has captained West Indies to two T20 World Cups under Phil Simmons and Ottis Gibson and feels that experience will help him flourish in his current role.

"For someone who didn't have the desire to go into coaching, they're more of coaches I've worked with - whether in franchise cricket or the West Indies team or the different teams I've played," Sammy said. 

"I've garnered so much knowledge that I could implement for myself. Ottis Gibson and I are quite close. We've always been in contact from way before he came into the set-up and we had a very good relationship, in terms of planning our cricket and how we presented to our guys.

"I also worked with Phil and we won a championship together, so everybody has their own styles. For me, all what I've garnered and now putting all this into my style but my way is not the highway. It's incorporating everybody to pull in one direction and try to get results for our team. And try to inspire the next generation of cricketers and our fans."

West Indies are currently ranked 10th in ODIs and seventh in T20Is but Sammy feels if they can improve on certain areas, the Men in Maroon could get into the top half of the rankings. "Numbers don't lie. We're No. 9 (10) and No. 8 (7) respectively," Sammy said. 

"We're there for a reason, and we've not been consistent enough, but then when I look at the data ahead of me - what we've done in the last five years, where we've been losing games in different stages… Man, we're not far off, and that excites me. 

“When I say I try to build an elite team, I look at what openers are doing around the world overseas, we're not far off. Different stages of the game where spin is killing us between overs 11-40, you know areas we could improve.

"When I look at the one percenters, if we could improve on certain areas and just be more aware of the situation, probably a different mindset and better skills and better execution, we're not far off. 

“If we could build on these things and improve the small goals that I have for the team...we want to start improving on our rankings by the time our year ends. We want to finish in the top eight next year and start taking these little steps."