Improvement ‘not optional, but imperative’ – Shallow’s New Year call for CWI accountability

Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Dr. Kishore Shallow has used his New Year’s address to signal a shift toward a “culture of accountability” and “winning intent,” admitting that the regional side’s recent performances have failed to meet the historical standards of the Caribbean.

In a sombre but determined message to the West Indian public, Shallow balanced the emotional weight of a difficult 2025 with the cold realities of the board’s financial and technical challenges.

The West Indies endured a turbulent year across formats, struggling for consistency on the field while grappling with the evolving landscape of global franchise leagues.

Shallow did not mince words regarding the team’s output.

“On the field, we acknowledge that our performances have not consistently met the high standards our history demands,” Shallow said.

“Improvement is not optional; it is imperative. We are committed to strengthening our structures, supporting our players, and fostering a renewed culture of accountability, resilience, and winning intent.”

While the President noted that progress “may not always be linear,” the emphasis on a “winning intent” comes at a time when the regional side is desperate to climb the ICC rankings and re-establish itself as a force in both red and white-ball cricket.

Beyond the boundary ropes, CWI continues to navigate a precarious economic path. Despite the successful co-hosting of the 2024 T20 World Cup providing a temporary boost, Shallow warned that the board is not yet out of the woods.

“We navigated a challenging financial period. That reality has not disappeared overnight, and the year ahead will require continued prudence and responsible management,” he noted.

These “necessary choices,” as Shallow described them, likely refer to the ongoing balancing act of funding territorial boards, maintaining developmental pathways, and offering competitive central contracts to players who are increasingly lured by the lucrative T20 circuit.

One of the more politically sensitive aspects of the CWI presidency has been the relationship with regional governments.

Shallow reaffirmed the strength of the bond between the board and CARICOM leaders, despite what he termed “differences of perspective.”

The statement comes amidst ongoing discussions regarding the governance of West Indies cricket and the role of regional prime ministers in the sport’s administration.

Shallow characterised the current dynamic as a “committed and respectful team,” emphasising the status of the game as a vital regional institution.

As the West Indies look toward a 2026 calendar that includes crucial bilateral series and the hunt for greater stability in the Test arena, Shallow’s message was ultimately one of “renewed resolve.”

“West Indies cricket has always been bigger than any one era, any one team, or any one individual,” Shallow said. “We remain one West Indies family, bound by history and driven by hope.”

The question for fans across the archipelago remains whether this “culture of accountability” can translate into the consistent victories required to restore the region’s pride on the global stage.