DHAKA, Bangladesh – For the first time in three decades the West Indies have a chance of ending the year unbeaten in Test series, and they will be going “all out” to ensure they end the year on a high with victory against Bangladesh.
That is according to head coach Daren Sammy, who said the team is coming into the two-Test series on a high following their impressive performances on the recently concluded white-ball tour of India.
“The message to the guys is to give it your all. It’s 10 possible days of Test cricket left in this cycle for us and just go out there and give it your all. You know, whatever motivates you use that to go out there and get performances,”
The last time the West Indies went a calendar year without losing a Test series was back in 1994.
In their two Test series so far in 2026, the regional team defeated Sri Lanka in the Caribbean 1-0 in their two-match series and then drew 1-1 with Pakistan, also at home.
Speaking after the team’s final training session ahead of the start of the opening Test on Wednesday, Sammy said the team was in high spirits.
“The expectations are always there. The way we’ve played Test cricket this year; we’ve not lost a series and it’s a long time since we’ve gone through a year without losing a series and it’s our last series of the World Test Championship
“The message to the guys is to give it your all. It’s 10 possible days of Test cricket left in this cycle for us and just go out there and give it your all. You know, whatever motivates you use that to go out there and get performances,” Sammy said.
“…We know Bangladesh has been playing some really good cricket, but so have we been playing some good cricket this year as well…These next two Test matches presents us with a great opportunity to finish the Test Championship with the goal we started in 2025, so we’re looking forward to the series.”
The West Indies will be without the services of their inspirational wicketkeeper/batter, Shai Hope, who has been rested for the series.
Hope was in phenomenal form during the tour of India, scoring two centuries in the three-match ODI series and two hundreds in the five-match T20I series.
While he averages just 24.52 in Test cricket, since October 2025 he has averaged 45.26.
Sammy acknowledged that Hope’s absence was a big loss for the side, but maintained that they were not dependent on only him to win matches.
“…Shai Hope, we’ve seen what he’s done and he’s played all formats and he has been excellent for us, but so too has Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, John Campbell, Brandon King, Jomel 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,” Sammy said. (CMC)
