Sammy laughs off memories of Mirpur's black wickets ahead of Test series

West Indies head coach Darren Sammy could not help but laugh when reminded of the black wickets that grabbed attention during the team's white-ball tour of Bangladesh last year. The unusual surface had become a major talking point during the series, with spinner Akeal Hosein previously joking that he thought something was wrong with his television while watching from home.

With the West Indies set to begin a two-match Test series against Bangladesh on October 28 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Sammy was asked by reporters whether the current wickets looked anything like those from the previous visit. After confirming he had inspected the surface, the West Indies coach burst into laughter at the direct follow-up question.

“No! It’s definitely not like last year,” Sammy said with a hearty laugh, dismissing any similarities to the much-discussed black pitches.

The pitch, however, remains only one of the talking points ahead of the red-ball series. Unlike the surfaces encountered during last year's white-ball matches, the wicket has so far appeared more sporting, though conditions in Mirpur could still offer assistance to spinners as the Test progresses.

This distinct shift in conditions could prove significant for the visitors, who are looking to finish their World Test Championship campaign on a positive note. West Indies currently sit eighth in the standings and are aiming to conclude their cycle strongly against a formidable opponent.

The press conference also carried a subtle hint of mind games, given Sammy's history with Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons. Sammy had previously played under Simmons when the West Indies won the T20 World Cup in 2016.

When questioned about whether the pressure would be greater on Bangladesh due to their home ambitions and final qualification race, Sammy refused to single out the hosts. He noted that the stakes are high for both teams as they pursue their respective goals in the championship.

Drawing confidence from their recent 2-2 T20I series draw against India, Sammy made it clear that his side has no intention of merely making up the numbers. He expressed excitement for an entertaining contest against a side renowned for being tough to beat at home in red-ball cricket.