Sammy wants 'culture change' in West Indies

WEST Indies T20 and 50-over coach Daren Sammy is asking for patience as a "cultural change" is needed to see a turnaround in results.

Sammy was speaking after West Indies defeated India by eight wickets in Florida to seal the five-match T20 series 3-2. It was just one of few bright sparks for West Indies cricket over the past year as results have been tough to come by. West Indies sunk to an all-time low last month, failing to qualify for the ICC World Cup 50-Over tournament for the first time in history.

Last October the T20 team was unable to advance to the main draw of the T20 World Cup after losses to Scotland and Ireland.

"Obviously myself and (Test coach Andre) Coley just got to the job. This is a lot of work," Sammy said. "We've had meetings with the president (Dr Kishore Shallow), the new director (Miles Bascombe), the CEO (Johnny Grave) on how we could impact change – not only the players, but the system in general.

"Having better facilities for the guys to train, the preparation, the attitude towards fitness...too many times guys are on the physio table (injured). All of this is the culture shift we need to see happen."

Sammy added, "The general picture is to try to change the culture, the work culture and it involves everybody...things are going to change."

The white-ball coach said it is a work in progress and it will take time. "It will take patience because it will not change overnight, but we are putting measures in place so we could effect change. With two new captains Shai (Hope) and Rovman (Powell, we have to give them time).

"Like I said yesterday, I love Rovman, he is a tactician...I think it is a good partnership (we have) and putting all egos aside and working towards the bettermemt of the team."

Sammy said the T20 team has quality batsmen, but a wicket-taking bowler is missing. "I think we have the batting. If we put our egos aside and play the situation and have the best man in that situation representing the team as a batting group, I think we are okay.

"I still feel for us we are still searching for that wicket-taking bowler. We have Alzarri (Joseph), we have Akeal (Hosein)...but when we were strong, yes, we had the power hitters, but we had (Sunil) Narine, we had (Samuel) Badree, we had guys who could get wickets in the middle."

Sammy said getting wickets in the middle overs on Sunday helped set up the victory.