Daren Sammy challenges West Indies players after 25% pay cut

ST JOHN’S: West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has challenged his Test players to turn their financial difficulties into motivation, urging them to deliver stronger performances in the World Test Championship (WTC) as the team faces a 25 per cent reduction in player retainer fees.

Sammy’s message comes ahead of the opening Test against Bangladesh on Wednesday, with West Indies looking to improve their position in the 2025-27 WTC standings and finish their campaign on a positive note.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced the reduction in retainer fees last month as the board sought to address financial pressures and the team’s competitive challenges.

West Indies currently sit eighth in the WTC standings, above only bottom-placed Pakistan. With two Tests against Bangladesh remaining in their campaign, Sammy believes the team still has an opportunity to improve its standing and strengthen its financial prospects.

“My word to the guys, especially this World Test Championship, you finish in the top five, there’s extra incentives,” Sammy said.

He highlighted the prize money available through the International Cricket Council’s WTC competition, encouraging his players to target better results rather than allow financial uncertainty to affect their focus.

Sammy also argued that consistent performances could help West Indies attract commercial sponsors and put the board in a stronger position to negotiate improved financial arrangements.

“I have challenged the guys to put ourselves in a better position to negotiate and attract sponsors by the performances we put on the field,” he added.

The former West Indies captain insisted that the pay reduction had not undermined the commitment of the wider playing group. He pointed to the performances of the ODI and T20I teams during their recent tour of India as evidence of the players’ determination to help revive West Indies cricket.

He now hopes the Test squad will demonstrate similar resilience against Bangladesh.

Sammy also drew encouragement from the team’s results in 2026. West Indies defeated Sri Lanka 1-0 in a Test series earlier this year before drawing 1-1 against Pakistan, maintaining an unbeaten series record during the year.

“The way we have played Test cricket this year, we have not lost a series this year,” he said, describing the achievement as a positive sign for the team.

With the Bangladesh series marking West Indies’ final assignment in the current WTC cycle, Sammy urged his players to make every remaining day count.

“Ten possible days of Test cricket left in this cycle for us, so just go out there and give it your all,” he said.

For Sammy, the challenge is clear: stronger performances could not only improve West Indies’ standing but also help build a more financially secure future for the team.