West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has expressed strong confidence that the senior men’s cricket team will extend its impressive three-year winning streak in One Day Internationals on home soil. Speaking during his travel to Panama on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, Sammy shared his optimism for the upcoming bilateral series against Sri Lanka.
Impressive Home Record
The West Indies have won four consecutive ODI series at home since their last loss in August 2023 against India. The team’s dominant run includes a 2-1 victory over England in December 2023, followed by another 2-1 series win against the same opponent in 2024. In the same year, the squad whitewashed Bangladesh 3-0 and most recently defeated Pakistan 2-1.
The upcoming matches against Sri Lanka mark the team’s first ODI assignment of the year. Sammy noted the strong team spirit as a key factor in maintaining the streak, stating: “Just from the spirit I saw in the World Cup, the camaraderie, the passion in which the guys played, the first time back in the Caribbean after the World Cup, I’m looking forward to it.”
Upcoming Series Against Sri Lanka
The bilateral series opens on June 3 at Sabina Park in Jamaica. Sammy expressed confidence that the team can continue its winning momentum in the opening match. The squad recently began a training camp in Antigua and Barbuda to prepare for the series.
World Cup Qualification Goals
Beyond the immediate series, Sammy outlined the team’s broader objectives, including automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup. He emphasized that each of the eight ODIs scheduled on home soil this year is critical for earning ranking points.
“All games, especially the ODI series against Sri Lanka, are very important for us, and that means getting the points that we need to make that automatic qualification,” Sammy said. “We have eight ODIs on home soil this year, and we’re going to make all eight count.”
The West Indies have already secured qualification for the T20 World Cup scheduled for 2028 in Australia.
