Mission: Restoration Mode for Windies Cricket

It is simply unacceptable that our best players are excluded from the pinnacle of cricket—Test Cricket.

This disregard for our top talents, who instead chase the rewards of T20 franchises, is a blatant oversight that diminishes the West Indies Senior Men’s team’s reputation, currently managed by Cricket West Indies (CWI).

Consider the recent Australia tour of the West Indies. After a humiliating defeat in the Frank Worrell Trophy Test series—losing the third match with a deplorable 27 runs in the second innings —the Australians decisively swept the Test series 3-0 and then rested several top players for the T20 series, which they won 5-0.

This series of events is more than just a statistical embarrassment; it represents a profound disappointment for the passionate fans who continue to hold faith in a struggling team.

Worse still, the Australians managed to win the toss in all eight matches during the Test and T20 encounters, showcasing a level of dominance that we cannot afford to ignore.

In recent years, T20 icons like Dwayne Bravo have not only dazzled in limited-overs formats but have also made their mark at the Test level for the West Indies. In contrast, Andre Russell has played just one Test match.

This shift highlights a concerning trend: many of our most talented cricketers are prioritizing the excitement and financial rewards of T20 leagues over the honor of representing the West Indies in Test cricket.

It’s crucial that we reinvigorate our commitment to the longest format of the game, as it is essential for the growth and legacy of West Indian cricket.

This trend has left a significant void, depriving our region of witnessing the exceptional talents of stars like Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Evin Lewis, and others to compete on the grandest stage. Success is not merely wishful thinking; it is evidenced by the achievements of iconic athletes like Usain Bolt and Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce, as well as rising stars like Juju Alfred, and other aspiring athletes who consistently perform at the highest levels across global competitions.

They thrive in elite arenas such as the Diamond League and pursue championships at the Olympic Games and World Championships.

This commitment to excellence extends across all major sports—soccer, basketball, rugby, tennis, swimming, and cycling—all of which prioritize selecting their finest athletes for international competition.

Yet, as we witness the decline of West Indies Test cricket, CWI’s personnel continue to cling to the uninspiring refrain that we are “in transition” or “still developing.”

It is time to move beyond empty rhetoric and take bold, decisive action to reclaim the glory of West Indies cricket.

We must invest in our players and foster a culture that prioritizes national representation. The future of our cricketing legacy depends on it

Where is the hunger and passion for excellence that once propelled West Indies cricket to the pinnacle of the sport?

Gone are the glory days when the Windies reigned supreme as World Champions for more than a decade, with legends like Sir Viv Richards, Sir Clive Lloyd, Alvin Kalicharan, and the indomitable openers, Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes, lighting up the game.

They were backed by fiery pace bowlers like Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall, and Colin Croft, who dominated their opponents with skill, confidence, and relentless aggression.

It’s no secret that the cricketing world learned from this mastery. The Australians and even the British adopted the Windies’ blueprint of four-pronged seam attacks to conquer their rivals.

This strategy was glaringly evident during the recent Test series between the West Indies and Australia.

In today’s cricket landscape, the Windies have showcased the brilliance of talents such as Brian Lara, Shiv Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle, and Marlon Samuels. Yet, it’s astonishing to see the current team struggling to produce star batters.

Kraigg Brathwaite once held the top position until his 100th Test match, only to be sidelined after a run of disappointing scores. Shai Hope, who showed promise upon returning to Test cricket after about five years, faced a similar fate during the Australia series, mirroring the plight of other batters.

The Cricket West Indies (CWI) appears to lack a coherent strategy for player development and succession. They seem to discard potential stars like Jermaine Blackwood , Carlos Brathwaite and others without a solid plan for nurturing resilience and fortitude.

In stark contrast, India has effectively utilized its top players across all formats, ensuring a stable foundation for future success. Stars like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma shone brightly, and their current crop—Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja—continuously performs at the highest levels.

Nimish Patgaonkar, an Indian journalist, spoke to Voice Sports , last year , at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground [DSCG], as Saint Lucia hosted a World Cup match.  underscored the urgent need for sustainable reform in West Indies cricket, particularly at the grassroots and school levels. He expressed hope that the Windies could reclaim the glory days of the 90s.

“We still have respect for all greats from the West Indies, and we just wish that West Indian cricket gets back to the heights it once commanded,” he stated. He referred to the legacy of giants like Brian Lara – a world-record batting star – and the stewardship of Daren Sammy, who led the team to two ICC T20 championships, as the foundation upon which future success is built.

The Indian journalist  stressed  that the Windies must evolve with a core of three to four great players, guiding the team forward. “The legacy has to be continued, and West Indian cricket should evolve along three or four greats in the team (be it with two batters and two bowlers) …and the rest (team) should look onward to them,” he noted.

“Something needs to be done at the grassroots level in West Indies cricket…we need sustainable reform and a set of players who can elevate the team to new heights,” Patgaonkar emphasized.

Following their loss to India in the grueling WTC Test Championship final, the Aussies quickly regrouped to reassert their dominance.

The Windies did manage to bowl out Australia for 190 in the first innings of the first Test, but the batting collapsed, leading to missed opportunities throughout the series. Although the bowlers performed admirably, keeping the Aussies under 250 runs, the Windies batters consistently fell short, posting a highest innings score of just 253.

Brandon King’s impressive 75 on debut was overshadowed by the resilience of the Australian middle order, which included the likes of Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Brewster, and Alex Carey, and a formidable bowling attack led by Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood.

The Saint Lucia High Performance Centre (HPC) shines as a beacon of hope, nurturing young talent with immense potential.

With players like Kimani Melius and Ackeem Auguste having led Windies U19 teams, and emerging stars like Tarrique Edward, Selena Ross, and Theo Edward capturing attention, we are witnessing a promising new generation- with the current young crop in the spotlight,  alongside the likes of Zadia James and Qiana Joseph performing favorably with the Windies Senior Women’s team.

The Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) and associated affiliates have brought some excitement to local cricket; the staging of T20 and T10 leagues, alongside local district and club cricket competitions, including the Sandals SLNCA U19 championship, continues to produce outstanding players and potential stars.

The future of West Indies cricket lies in this vibrant youth, and it’s time to ignite a revival.

Now is the time for West Indies cricket to rally together, harness its rich legacy, and embrace change.

Let’s cultivate our young talents and challenge the world to take notice once again.

Recently , it’s encouraging to see Cricket West Indies (CWI) harness the wisdom and experience of legendary figures like Sir Clive Lloyd, Sir Viv Richards, and Brian Lara by appointing them to a sort of  ‘Urgency Assessment Committee.’ Their insights will be invaluable in guiding the future of West Indies cricket and revitalizing the sport we all cherish.

This initiative demonstrates a proactive approach to ensure our cricketing legacy not only endures but thrives.

This is not just about cricket; it’s about reigniting a passion that can return the Windies to the top of the game.

Let’s ensure that West Indies cricket not only survives but thrives, back to where it rightfully belongs—on the global stage.