CWI’s emergency meeting pinpoints priorities for West Indies revival

According to Cricket West Indies (CWI) CEO Chris Dehring, the path back to greatness for West Indies cricket will be challenging, but it is achievable through a united and collective effort.

Speaking after a two-day emergency summit, Dehring emphasised that all stakeholders must collaborate to overcome the systemic issues hindering team performance.

The summit, held at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including CWI executives, former and current players such as Sir Clive Lloyd, Brian Lara, and current captains Roston Chase and Shai Hope, as well as members of the Cricket Strategy & Officiating Committee (CSOC).

Discussions focused on a wide range of factors impacting team performance, including the effectiveness of player development pathways, the quality of domestic competitions, and the preparation and support systems for international duties. The need for greater stakeholder alignment, financial resources, and improved player motivation were also key topics.

Dehring stressed that CWI cannot address these challenges alone, highlighting the significant commercial and resource gaps that exist between the West Indies and other cricketing nations. He pointed to the lack of dedicated facilities like high-performance centers and academies, which are crucial for developing professional cricketers.

“While the raw talent is there, we face an incredible commercial and national resource gap between ourselves and the other cricket playing territories to mine, develop and produce professional cricketers that are fit for purpose,” Dehring stated. “That gap… can only be bridged if we come together as a region and use what we have to challenge that gap.”

Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe echoed this, explaining that the challenges are systemic and require a holistic approach.

“The strategies we implement, we have to look at addressing them across the entirety of our cricket system,” Bascombe said, adding that the next step is to develop detailed strategies based on the fruitful discussions and recommendations from the summit.

West Indies legends Sir Clive Lloyd and Brian Lara also spoke at the media briefing, praising the frank and productive nature of the talks. Lara noted the need for the West Indies to adapt to the modern game, which now relies heavily on technology and analytics.

Sir Clive specifically referenced the information provided by the current coaching staff, stating, “They were very clear about the things that are needed and why they are needed. I sincerely hope that we will be able to provide what they have asked for.” He also highlighted the financial disparity in international cricket, calling for a “better share of the pie.”

Enoch Lewis, chair of the CSOC, reiterated the summit’s goal of obtaining honest feedback to fundamentally reform West Indies cricket. He confirmed that a set of recommendations will be prepared for the CWI Board of Directors, with some to be implemented in the short term and others over a longer period.

Dehring concluded by emphasizing that the resurrection of West Indies cricket will require a collective, diligent pursuit of excellence from every corner of the Caribbean cricketing community.

The public will be informed of the Board’s approved actions as the recommendations are implemented.