Cricket West Indies (CWI) has taken a major step toward reviving cricket in the Caribbean by forming a new cricket committee featuring legends such as Clive Lloyd, Brian Lara, Shai Hope, Roston Chase, and Ramnaresh Sarwan.
According to the Cricket Strategy and Officiating Committee—comprising former greats and current leaders—has outlined key focus areas aimed at raising the overall standard of West Indies cricket.
The committee has developed both short- and long-term action plans to rejuvenate the sport. Among the initiatives are the appointment of specialist coaches and the establishment of a state-of-the-art high-performance centre. CWI also plans to work closely with franchise teams to ensure continuous fitness monitoring of players.
This committee was established in July, shortly after the West Indies’ dismal collapse for 27 runs against Australia in Kingston, Jamaica—a low point that prompted an urgent review. During their initial meetings, members identified several critical issues affecting West Indies cricket, including:
- Declining quality of regional tournaments
- Technical, tactical, and mental skill deficiencies
- Underperforming franchise system
- Gaps in infrastructure and facilities
- Lack of specialist coaching support
- Limited ICC revenue share and financial challenges
- Fragmented player development pathways
- Poor fitness and conditioning standards
Cricket West Indies Outlines Comprehensive Long-Term Plan
In the short term, CWI plans to appoint an internationally proven batting coach to work throughout the system and bring in a full-time sports psychologist/performance coach for the senior men’s team. The women’s team will also see an upgrade, with the role becoming a full-time position.
Additionally, CWI announced plans to advance a capital high-performance project for a state-of-the-art facility at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, featuring modern nets, a gym, and rehabilitation infrastructure. Franchise teams will be required to submit individual development plans and meet new minimum standards, while player fitness will be closely monitored through a regional fitness leaderboard.
Long-Term Strategic Actions
- The committee has also crafted a robust long-term strategy that includes:
- Establishing a national cricket development framework that unites grassroots, school, academy, and high-performance pathways.
- Implementing comprehensive franchise reform to improve accountability in player development and explore alternative professional models.
- Creating standardised academies for players aged 11–18 to directly feed into the high-performance program.
- Completing the High-Performance Centre in Antigua, set to serve as the regional hub for elite player development.
- Prioritizing financial sustainability, including advocating for fair ICC revenue distribution and developing partnerships with governments, private investors, and philanthropists.
- Launching a structured mentorship framework to connect current and former West Indies players with emerging talent.