West Indies cricket is about to go through a major change as Chris Dehring will take over as CWI Chief Executive Officer while Daren Sammy will be promoted as the men’s all-format coach.
West Indies Cricket new CEO: Chris Dehring
Chris Dehring replaces Johnny Grave’s CEO position that was filled in October 2024. Dehring has decades of experience in sports management, finance and media, making him the winner out of more than 50 candidates worldwide. He is also known for his role as the Managing Director and CEO of the 2007 ODI World Cup in the Caribbean where he helped build 10 modern cricket stadiums.
“West Indies cricket was always a part of my heart,” Dehring said in preparation for his new role. “I am honoured to return to an organization that means so much to our employees. With the CWI team and stakeholders, I look forward to bringing innovation, talent and passion to West Indies cricket in the region and around the world.”
CWI President Kishore Shallow cited the appointment of Dehring as “the beginning of a new phase”. He admired Dehring’s mix of tactical insight and cricket-love that would make him the perfect person to return the West Indies to cricket glory. Dehring will start his term on 1 February 2025, and will take a leading role in restoring the region’s global leadership position.
Captain Sammy – West Indies Cricket Men’s all format coach
And then there’s Daren Sammy. Oh, the legend! If you know West Indies cricket, even a bit, you know this guy bleeds maroon. Already an advisor to the white-ball formats – which he does very well besides – Sammy will now be the coach of the Test side, from April 2025.
“Actually coaching was not something I could see myself doing,” Sammy said which makes his account even cooler. But I have a love and passion for it and I already have a dream of what it would take to make our Test cricket successful. This is a task, to be sure, but one I know we’re up for!”
And he’s not wrong. Ever since Sammy bought in the white-ball teams in May 2023, he has picked up some hard wins. West Indies have taken 15 of 28 ODIs and 20 of 35 T20Is under his leadership. But now everyone is watching the longer game format. Will Sammy do the same magic on Tests? If his record and passion is any indication, yes.
Sammy is the man, says CWI’s Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe. “We’ve been blown away by the consistency he’s put on our white-ball teams. And now we’re very happy to see the same approach transform our Test side”.
And this is the thing – West Indies cricket is not only about the game. It’s the Caribbean’s pride and heroism. Generations of fans had long missed the heyday of the ’70s and ’80s when the West Indies ruled the world cricket stage. Dehring steering the ship from the sidelines, and Sammy motivating players on the court, you know something special is in the works.
Imagine it – the stands full, calypso drums blasting and the West Indies once again the force that they were meant to be. The fire for that could come from these two — those guys, love the game.
West Indies cricket is going to get different. It’s big, it’s loud, and it’s exactly what the city needs.
