West Indies Call Emergency Meeting Over Australia Loss: 'Sleepless Nights Ahead'
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has convened an emergency meeting over the men's Test side's humiliating 176-run loss to Australia in Jamaica on Tuesday, where the team was bowled out for its lowest-ever total of 27 runs in less than 15 overs. The board has also invited three batting greats, Clive Lloyd, Vivian Richards, and Brian Lara, to join the Cricket Strategy and Officiating Committee's review of the Test and the series, which they lost 3-0.
Chasing 204 in the day-night Test amid pristine conditions for pace-bowling, the hosts had no answer to Australia's pace attack of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Scott Boland, and Beau Webster. Starc took a five-wicket haul in just 15 balls (he picked 6/9 overall) and Boland struck with a sensational hat-trick, by targeting the stumps and making the ball move off the pitch consistently.
Although it was the smallest margin of defeat from the three Tests for the Windies, the 27-run record will stay with them as a new low.
'Like every West Indian cricket fan, I felt the pain of our recent Test defeat to Australia," Dr Kishore Shallow, the board's president, said in a statement. 'The result hurts deeply, not only because of how we lost, but because of what West Indies cricket has always represented to our people: pride, identity, and possibility. There will be some sleepless nights ahead for many of us, including the players, who I know feel this loss just as heavily. But while disappointment is natural, we must not allow this moment to define our journey," he added.
'We are in a rebuilding phase, steadily investing in the next generation, and reigniting the spirit that has long made West Indies cricket a force in the world. Progress is rarely straightforward. It takes time, perseverance, and belief, especially in our most difficult moments. The road ahead will test us, but I have faith in the talent and commitment of our players when they apply themselves. We have already seen encouraging signs, particularly with the ball. Our batters are keen, but now must be even more deliberate as they work to improve. Now is not the time to turn away. Now is the time to stand even closer as a people. These are the moments that shape us," he added.
The statement said the move was 'not ceremonial' but aimed to gather 'tangible, actionable recommendations'.
view comments
First Published:
July 15, 2025, 19:02 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
16 minutes ago
- India Today
WI vs AUS: Mitchell Marsh to play as specialist batter, bowling remains ‘offline'
Mitchell Marsh has confirmed he will play as a specialist batter in Australia's upcoming T20I series against the West Indies. The 33-year-old has not bowled since the Test series against India and has only bowled once - during an ODI against England at Lord's in September also didn't bowl in any of his 13 matches for the Lucknow Super Giants during the 2025 IPL season. In the West Indies T20Is, he will open the batting alongside Jake Fraser-McGurk, who returns to the squad in place of the injured Spencer the bowling's offline and we'll just see where that gets to. But looking forward to just playing as a batsman for the moment,' Marsh said. Of the players who featured in Australia's 3-0 Test series win, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Alex Carey will not take part in the limited-overs series. Marsh said their absence creates an opportunity for emerging talents to step up and showcase their skills."First and foremost, it's always 'we're representing Australia, we're here to win the series' and culturally, that's how we want to go about it. There will be guys that get opportunities. We've obviously got a few guys missing for this series [for] a well-earned rest. We'll see guys bat in different positions and get opportunities in certain positions,' Marsh added. Amongst the newcomers, Mitchell Owen is set to make his debut in the opening T20I on July 20 (July 21 in India) at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica. Owen played a key role in the Hobart Hurricanes' title-winning campaign in the 2024-25 Big Bash League, including scoring a century in the final. Attention will also be on rising talents like Cooper Connolly and others eager to make their squad for West Indies T20Is Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshius, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Owen, Adam Zampa- Ends
News18
22 minutes ago
- News18
Sulakshan Kulkarni Named Deputy Head Coach Of Oman Men's Cricket Team
Last Updated: Kulkarni's tenure with the team will officially begin with the T20 World Cup Qualifiers, which Oman will host from October 8 to 18. Former Mumbai wicketkeeper Sulakshan Kulkarni has been appointed as the deputy head coach of the Oman men's national cricket team. Kulkarni's role will be crucial as the team aims to qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in India and Sri Lanka in February and March of the following year. Oman Cricket confirmed the appointment via social media post on Sunday. Taking to X, the cricket association wrote, 'We're pleased to welcome Sulakshan Kulkarni as the Deputy Head Coach of the Oman Men's National Team! A seasoned coach with a wealth of domestic and international experience, Kulkarni brings depth and able leadership to our coaching setup as we prepare for the upcoming journey on the global stage." His tenure with the team will officially begin with the T20 World Cup Qualifiers, which Oman will host from October 8 to 18. Duleep Mendis, a former wicketkeeper-batter for Sri Lanka, will continue to serve as the head coach of the Oman national cricket team. Kulkarni, who played 65 First-Class matches and 13 List A games, brings extensive experience to his new position. He has previously worked as the head coach for several domestic teams, including Maharashtra, Mumbai, Tamil Nadu, Vidarbha, and Chhattisgarh. Notably, he led Mumbai to a Ranji Trophy victory in the 2012-13 season and was the head coach for the Maharashtra Ranji team last season. Oman has already secured qualification for the Asia Cup in September, although the final status of the tournament remains uncertain and depends on an upcoming Asian Cricket Council meeting. This appointment marks the second time that Oman Cricket has added an Indian, and specifically a Mumbaikar, to its support staff, following Omkar Salvi's tenure as the team's bowling coach a few years ago. The 58-year-old Kulkarni is expected to bring both experienced leadership and strategic contributions to Oman's cricket ambitions. (With IANS Inputs) view comments First Published: July 20, 2025, 18:36 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
32 minutes ago
- News18
Out-of-Favour Pakistan Batter Set To Replace Ruturaj Gaikwad In County Championship: Report
Gaikwad was supposed to play five matches for the club in the final leg of the County Championship 2025. But he withdrew earlier this week, citing personal reasons. The Yorkshire County Cricket Club is set to sign Pakistan opener Imam Ul Haq after Indian opener Ruturaj Gaikwad pulled out citing personal reasons. Gaikwad had agreed to play five matches for the club in the final leg of the County Championship 2025 season. But the Indian opening batter withdrew earlier this week, citing personal reasons. 'Unfortunately, Gaikwad's not coming now for personal reasons," McGrath was quoted saying by the club in the official statement. 'We're not going to have him for Scarborough or for the rest of the season. So that's disappointing. I can't tell you anything about the reasons why, but we hope that everything's ok. We've literally just found out." 'We're working to try and get a possible replacement, but time pressure is the issue. I can't give you anything more than that at the moment," he added. Gaikwad would have made his county cricket debut against Surrey on Tuesday. However, the Yorkshire CCC is now looking to rope in Imam as the Indian batter's replacement. According to the county club is actively looking to fill the void left by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain. Hence, they are initiating talks with Pakistan cricket Imam-ul-Haq. However, an official confirmation is yet to be received from Yorkshire CCC. Imam-ul-Haq isn't a new figure in English county cricket. He had represented Somerset in 2022 in the final four matches and played a key role in helping them avoid relegation. On his County debut, on September 6, 2022, he made an immediate impact with a gritty 90 against Gloucestershire. Imam has so far played 24 Test matches for Pakistan, scoring 1,568 runs at an average of 37.33. He has three centuries and nine fifties to his name, with a strike rate of 46.06. In first-class cricket, the left-hander has featured in 84 matches, amassing 5,453 runs, including 15 centuries and 25 fifties, with a best score of 202 not out. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
