Former West Indies skipper Carl Hooper will join the West Indies team as the assistant coach alongside the white ball head coach Darren Sammy for the three-match ODI series against the United Arab Emirates starting on June 4 at  Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Daren Sammy, who won the T20 World Cup twice captaining the side, has been named the head coach of the white-ball One Day International (ODI) and T20 International (T20I) Teams and he will be joined by Carl Hooper to assist him ahead of the important ODI World Cup Qualifiers.

Speaking to the ICC, Carl Hooper opened up about the opportunity to be part of the Caribbean coaching setup under Darren Sammy as he wanted to make a meaningful contribution to the national team. Hooper is confident about his ability to do the best for the team.

“When I was initially approached by Daren about the potential opportunity, I immediately confirmed my interest, as I really want to help with the challenge and make a meaningful impact,” Carl Hooper On Joining Darren Sammy in the West Indies team. 

“I firmly believe that it is time for West Indies Cricket to ascend, and I am confident in my ability, knowledge, and experience to aid in this endeavour.”

Former West Indies Skipper Cooper has been part of the Caribbean coaching setup and will look to pass on expertise to the Young West Indies Players during his coaching stint. Cooper has played 329 international matches for the West Indies across more than 15 years. He was recently part of Adelaide Strikers during Big Bash League and also has the experience of working with West Indies during the Caribbean Premier League

He will work under Sammy, a former West Indies captain in all three formats, who led his team to ICC T20 World Cup triumphs in 2012 and 2016. He has worked as a franchise team coach in the Pakistan Super League and Caribbean Premier League since he retired from Cricket.

Our Collective Desire Is To Have A Positive Impact On The Players – Darren Sammy

Darren Sammy said that having the right set of people will help West Indies Cricket to move forward in the right direction going into the big tournament and reckons that a team is a group of hard-working professional who is trying to get the West Indies in the right direction and believes the support staff can have a positive impact on the team.

“Having the right set of people around you, who share your vision, is extremely important. This is a group of hard-working, passionate men, who have no egos,”  Darren Sammy said.

“Our collective desire is to have a positive impact on the players and West Indies cricket.”

Former West Indies international Floyd Reifer will also join the white-ball staff as an assistant coach along with the former New Zealand all-rounder James Franklin and the team’s first big assignment will be World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe.