Daren Sammy highlights decline of West Indies’ Test side

**By Parth Dhall | Oct 08, 2025 | 05:05 PM**

### The Story: Daren Sammy Compares West Indies Cricket Decline to “Cancer”

Former West Indies captain Daren Sammy has drawn a stark and powerful comparison between the decline of his Test side and a “cancer” that has been developing over a long period.

Speaking ahead of the second Test match against India in Delhi, Sammy acknowledged that role models in the shortest formats of the game are readily available for younger players. However, he also emphasized that these players can only work with the resources currently at their disposal.

### Candid Remarks on Deep-Rooted Issues

West Indies suffered a heavy defeat in the first Test of the two-match series against India, losing by an innings and 140 runs. Ahead of the second Test, Sammy did not shy away from addressing the struggles faced by West Indies cricket — particularly in the Test format.

“I know now I’m under the microscope. I’m in the middle, and we’re open to criticism,” Sammy said. But he was quick to point out that the problems the team faces didn’t begin just two years ago; rather, they are deeply rooted in the system.

### The Cancer Analogy: A Metaphor for West Indies Cricket Struggles

Sammy used a powerful metaphor to describe the ongoing challenges: he likened the issues plaguing West Indies cricket to “cancer that’s already in the system.”

He explained, “If you don’t get cancer, you know what happens. Our problems don’t lie on the surface. It’s rooted deep into our system.”

He also highlighted the financial difficulties that have plagued the West Indies cricket board for years. “The difference between the top 3-4 teams in the world versus the bottom four is huge. We’ve been struggling with finances for a long time,” Sammy added.

### Missed Commercial Opportunities and Financial Struggles

Sammy expressed regret over missed commercial opportunities during the era when West Indies cricket was at its peak.

“We’re playing five Test matches, four months in one place, entertaining the world,” he said, reflecting on cricket’s global appeal. Yet, he pointed out that due to mismanagement and other setbacks over the years, the West Indies are now in dire need of financial resources to enable growth and development.

### Woeful Numbers Reflect Current Struggles

Statistics highlight the Windies’ ongoing challenges in the longest format. According to ESPNcricinfo, West Indies have recorded 13 sub-200 totals in their last 15 Test innings. Moreover, in those 15 innings, the team has failed to bat out 90 overs or even a full day.

Notably, since the start of this century, the Windies have won only two Tests against India — with their last victory dating back to 2002. They have lost six of their last seven Tests overall, underscoring the difficult times faced by Caribbean cricket.

Daren Sammy’s candid remarks serve as a grim reminder of the deep-seated issues that require urgent attention if West Indies cricket is to regain its former stature.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/daren-sammy-highlights-decline-of-west-indies-in-test-cricket/story

Daren Sammy highlights decline of West Indies’ Test side

**By Parth Dhall | Oct 08, 2025 | 05:05 pm**

**What’s the story?**

Former West Indies captain Daren Sammy has drawn a stark comparison between the decline of his Test side and a “cancer” that has been developing over a long period.

Speaking ahead of the second Test against India in Delhi, Sammy acknowledged that role models in the shorter formats of the game are readily available for younger players. However, he emphasized that they can only work with the resources currently at their disposal.

**Candid remarks on deep-rooted issues in West Indies cricket**

West Indies recently lost the first match of the two-Test series in India by an innings and 140 runs. Ahead of the second Test, Sammy did not shy away from addressing the struggles facing West Indies cricket, particularly in the Test format.

He said, *“I know now I’m under the microscope. I’m in the middle, and we’re open to criticism.”* But Sammy also stressed that these problems are not new — they run deep within the system.

**Metaphorical comparison: Cancer analogy for West Indies cricket struggles**

Sammy likened the many challenges plaguing West Indies cricket to *“cancer that’s already in the system.”* He explained, *“If you don’t get cancer, you know what happens. Our problems don’t lie on the surface. It’s rooted deep into our system.”*

He further highlighted the financial difficulties facing West Indies cricket. *“The difference between the different teams, the top 3-4 teams in the world versus the bottom four. We’ve been struggling with finances for a long time,”* Sammy said.

**Missed commercial opportunities for West Indies**

Reflecting on the past, Sammy lamented how West Indies failed to capitalize commercially during their glory days as the world’s best side — unlike India, which has successfully leveraged its cricketing success.

*“We’re playing five Test matches, four months in one place, entertaining the world,”* Sammy noted. But due to mismanagement and other factors over the years, the team now finds itself in dire need of financial resources to help foster growth and development.

**Woeful numbers paint a grim picture**

According to ESPNcricinfo, West Indies have recorded 13 sub-200 totals in their last 15 Test innings. In those innings, they failed to bat out even 90 overs or complete a full day.

Notably, since the start of this century, the Windies have won only two Tests against India — the last victory coming back in 2002. Overall, they have lost six of their last seven Test matches.

Daren Sammy’s candid remarks shine a light on the deep-rooted challenges facing West Indies cricket, calling for urgent action to revive the pride and performance of the once-dominant Test side.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/daren-sammy-highlights-decline-of-west-indies-in-test-cricket/story

Daren Sammy highlights decline of West Indies’ Test side

By Parth Dhall | Oct 08, 2025 | 05:05 pm

**The Story**

Former West Indies captain Daren Sammy has drawn a stark comparison between the decline of his Test side and a “cancer” that has been developing over a long period.

Speaking ahead of the second Test against India in Delhi, Sammy acknowledged that role models in the shorter formats of the game are readily available for younger players. However, he emphasized that they can only work with the resources currently at their disposal.

**Candid Remarks: Deep-rooted Issues in West Indies Cricket**

West Indies lost the first Test of the two-match series in India by an innings and 140 runs. Ahead of the second Test, Sammy did not shy away from addressing the ongoing struggles of West Indies cricket, particularly in the Test format.

“I know now I’m under the microscope. I’m in the middle, and we’re open to criticism,” he said. Yet, Sammy stressed that these problems did not emerge overnight; they are deeply embedded within the system.

**Metaphorical Comparison: Cancer Analogy for West Indies Cricket Struggles**

Sammy likened the chronic issues affecting West Indies cricket to “a cancer that’s already in the system.” He elaborated, “If you don’t get cancer, you know what happens. Our problems don’t lie on the surface. It’s rooted deep into our system.”

He also highlighted the financial challenges faced by West Indies cricket, noting, “The difference between the top 3-4 teams in the world versus the bottom four is huge. We’ve been struggling with finances for a long time.”

**Missed Chances: Commercial Opportunities Slip Away**

Reflecting on missed commercial opportunities, Sammy lamented that when West Indies was once the best side in the world, they failed to capitalize on commercial benefits in the way nations like India did.

“We’re playing five Test matches, four months in one place, entertaining the world,” he remarked. He added that due to lack of management and other factors over the years, West Indies now find themselves in dire need of financial resources to help the game grow within the region.

**Woeful Numbers for West Indies**

According to ESPNcricinfo, West Indies have recorded 13 sub-200 totals in their last 15 Test innings. In those innings, they consistently failed to bat out 90 overs or a full day.

Notably, since the start of this century, the Windies have won only two Tests against India, the last victory coming in 2002. Overall, they have lost six of their last seven Tests.

The road ahead is challenging for West Indies cricket, but addressing the deep-rooted issues highlighted by Sammy is crucial for rebuilding the once-dominant Test side.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/daren-sammy-highlights-decline-of-west-indies-in-test-cricket/story