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Saint John’s [Antigua and Barbuda], August 15 (ANI): The journey of returning West Indies cricket to its former glory will not be easy, given the multitude of
West Indies are a team in transition (Picture Credit: AFP)
The journey to restore West Indies cricket to its former glory will be challenging, given the numerous obstacles affecting the region’s standing in international cricket. However, with the committed efforts of stakeholders and the entire Caribbean cricket community, a resurgence is possible.
These were the sentiments of Cricket West Indies Chief Executive Officer Chris Dehring during a media briefing at the end of an emergency two-day summit at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad.
Members of the Cricket Strategy and Officiating Committee (CSOC), West Indies greats, past and current players, including current captains Roston Chase and Shai Hope, the Men’s Team Management Unit, and CWI Executives, met on Sunday, August 10, and Monday, August 11, to discuss various topics affecting team performance.
Topics included the effectiveness of player development pathways, the quality and competitiveness of domestic competitions, preparation and support systems for international duty, the need for alignment among stakeholders, financial resources, player motivation and retention, and the mental aspects of high-level performance.
At the post-summit media briefing, featuring CSOC Chair Enoch Lewis, Sir Clive Lloyd, Brian Lara, Dehring, and CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe, Dehring emphasized the need for a collaborative effort to restore West Indies cricket to its former stature.
Dehring stated that Cricket West Indies cannot achieve this alone. Many elements in cricket’s production pipeline, such as age group cricket and school programmes, are outside their control.
While the raw talent is present, there is a significant commercial and national resource gap compared to other cricket-playing territories. This gap, including resources like academies and high-performance centres, can only be bridged through regional collaboration. Dehring expressed confidence that collectively, these hurdles can be overcome, and West Indies cricket can return to its rightful place.
The summit discussions repeatedly highlighted that the challenges are systemic. Bascombe noted that strategies must address issues across the entire cricket system. Identifying challenges at every level of the production pipeline and developing detailed strategies were key points of the discussions. The goal is to create a holistic solution that will result in meaningful systemic change for the betterment of West Indies cricket.
Sir Clive Lloyd and Brian Lara acknowledged the productivity of the discussions, noting that they were frank and focused on impactful actions. Lara mentioned that the West Indies are not on the same level playing field as other countries. In the past, skill was the prominent factor, but the game has evolved, particularly with technology and analytics. The focus must now shift towards these areas to regain competitiveness.
Sir Clive highlighted the information provided by the current coaching staff about the resources needed. He stressed the importance of addressing financial disparities in international cricket, noting that West Indies need a better share of the revenue.
Lewis emphasized that the summit aimed to gather honest and comprehensive feedback to restructure and reform West Indies cricket fundamentally. The committee’s goal is to provide the CWI Board with sound recommendations for moving West Indies cricket forward. Some recommendations will be implemented in the short term, while others will require long-term efforts and input from other stakeholders.
Dehring pointed out several areas needing improvement, including facilities, practice pitches, and regional domestic tournaments. He noted the difficulty of correcting ingrained technical habits developed through age group and regional play, which become more apparent at the international level.
A preliminary solution involves establishing a high-performance centre with the latest professional cricket training facilities and territorial academy systems to instil and reinforce the West Indies cricket methodology as early as possible in the production pipeline.
Bascombe discussed the current coaching education and certification system, noting that inadequacies limit the production of regional coaches at the desired level for modern cricket demands. CWI has temporarily hired a coaching development consultant to work with franchise coaches while developing a comprehensive programme to upgrade the coaching education system.
In conclusion, Dehring reiterated the need for the entire Caribbean cricketing community to support this vision for growth. The resurrection of past success will require a collective and diligent pursuit of excellence.
Following the summit, CWI Management will prepare detailed recommendations for the Board of Directors, focusing on immediate implementation. The public will be informed of the Board’s approved actions and the specific plans that will follow.
(With ANI Inputs)
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