15-07-2025
Devastating loss could mean the curtains are closing on West Indies test cricket
Following the West Indies' uncomfortable defeat on home soil this week many have posed the question; why bother going back?
Australia achieved the fastest five-wicket haul in test match history and their first hat-trick since Peter Siddle's iconic birthday special at the Gabba nearly 15 years ago.
Meanwhile the West Indies earnt runners-up for the lowest innings total in a test match, 27, being edged out by a New-Zealand team that hadn't yet heard of television.
All jokes aside, this third test in Jamaica was about as disastrous a result as the home-side could have hoped for.
Not only will some see it as an indictment on the badge they represent, it aims an unmistakable beacon into the growing hole of test cricket.
Why play at a top level, in a format that lasts days, being humiliated on the global stage, for significantly less pay?
For honour?
Pride, spirit or loyalty?
For a rare few, maybe, but for many West Indians these reasons aren't enough, and understandably so.
An interview with former captain Kraigg Brathwaite revealed that test cricket is struggling in the Caribbean.
'As West Indies, we don't get many Tests matches, that's one [issue],' Brathwaite said.
'Obviously last year we only had six games. I think if we get more, we play more cricket, I think that would help a lot.
'I can't make a decision for the guys,' Braithwaite added, addressing teammates stepping down from test cricket.
'T20 cricket is out there ... so it will always be tough.'
If a West Indies cricketer is to prioritise playing test cricket over T20 leagues they will have to get comfortable with taking a significant financial cut.
It is understood that the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) offers contracts that range from $A150,000 to $A230,000, with an additional $A7,600 per Test match for their players.
On paper this may seem reasonable, however, when comparing that to an Australian cricket salary, the rift becomes more obvious.
Under Cricket Australia's new deal, centrally-contracted Australian men can expect an average of almost $1 million a year before match payments.
A high-profile player like Pat Cummins earns a reported $2 million a year and the ability to earn an additional $1 million from match and tour fees.
When Cummins was asked about players stepping down at an international level he said there was no simple fix.
'I'd hope that you field your strongest side whatever country whatever time of year, but it's not the case,' he said.
'So you can't force anyone out on the field, each country is in a different position.'
Money is drying up, significant loses are becoming consecutive and players are struggling to secure sponsorship deals; all the signs point to one damming end.
The inevitable collapse of the West Indies as we know it
The words couldn't leave a more sour taste, whilst these 15 nations may not be the British and Irish Lions, the Caribbean test squad has seen an unprecedented era of dominance.
1980 to 1995 was a period that yielded indomitable records that loom and remain completely unrivalled by any team to this day.
The West Indies hold the longest unbeaten run of 29 series spanning over 15 years as well as the record for most consecutive test matches without defeat, 27.
To let a team with such history, such status and such potential for the game fade to the backbench is unfortunately, looking like reality.
What comes next?
The International Cricket Council (ICC) was reported to be in talks with Australia, England and India earlier this year.
The discussion saw the likely prospect of splitting test cricket into two tiers being road mapped.
The system is designed to 'free' the major nations from playing the less successful countries.
Some of these teams are historically crucial pillars of cricket, who are being left out of an already dwindling pool of international competition.
According to well-placed anonymous sources obtained by The Sydney Morning Herald, there are currently no tests locked in between Australia and the West Indies in the Caribbean from 2027 onwards.
Rather than promoting the sport or considering ways to improve and regulate competition, the ICC may chose to keep their blinders up.
Money will always talk louder than finding a viable solution for these passionate nations.
Many are afraid that the latest loss from the West Indies will not promote the need to bolster their squad but rather, close the public curtain on their history all together.
