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India Today
2 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
West Indies cricket battles funding crisis as glory days fade into distant memory
The once-unstoppable West Indies cricket team - an empire that ruled the 1980s and early 2000s with titans like Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd, Michael Holding, and Brian Lara - now stands as a shadow of its former self. The decline is not just painful; it is 2020, an audit uncovered a 'massive hole' in Cricket West Indies' finances, exposing a culture of mismanagement that has eroded trust and crippled operational stability. Calls for radical transparency, governance reform, and ruthless financial discipline are now not just necessary - they are a matter of the field, the collapse has been humiliating. Nowhere was it more brutally exposed than when the team was skittled for a pathetic 27 against Australia - just one run away from the lowest total in Test history. For Clive Lloyd, this was more than a defeat. His rallying cry for a top-to-bottom overhaul - from grassroots talent pipelines to domestic competitions and pitch quality - was as much a plea as it was a warning. The crisis deepens as structural rot sets in. The lure of wealthy T20 leagues is draining the team of its prime talent, with players like Nicholas Pooran walking away from international duty at just 29 to chase franchise exodus exposes a bitter truth: financial security has trumped national pride. Meanwhile, Cricket West Indies' fractured leadership, outdated systems, and decaying domestic infrastructure have turned what was once the pride of the Caribbean into a cautionary tale of squandered legacy and systemic fall of West Indies cricket is not the result of a single misstep—it's the outcome of years of negligence, poor governance, and a failure to adapt to the changing landscape of the key factors stand out:1. Board MismanagementFor decades, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB)—now Cricket West Indies (CWI)—has been plagued by inefficiency, short-term thinking, and questionable financial decisions. Contracts have been mishandled, payments delayed, and strategic planning almost non-existent. The result? Players have lost faith, and the public has lost notorious example came when disputes over revenue distribution left players short-changed, breeding resentment and mistrust. Without financial discipline and transparency, CWI has crippled its own foundation.2. Player-Board DisputesThe relationship between CWI and its players has often resembled a cold war—fraught with tension, mistrust, and public fallouts. Poor communication and stubborn leadership have repeatedly fractured team 2014, Dwayne Bravo famously led the team's mid-tour withdrawal from India after the fourth ODI in Dharamshala, citing unpaid fees—a move that shocked the cricket world and exposed the board's dysfunction.3. T20 Leagues vs. National DutyThe arrival of the IPL in 2008 changed everything. With astronomical salaries and global fame on offer, top players like Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard, and Sunil Narine increasingly chose franchises over the maroon cap. While financially understandable, this exodus gutted the national side's consistency and Decline in Domestic and Junior CricketOnce a production line for legends, Caribbean grassroots cricket is now starved of funds and vision. Infrastructure is crumbling, coaching pathways are weak, and junior development is neglected. Trinidad, Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana, Antigua—all former powerhouses—are struggling to produce talent of the caliber of Richards, Lloyd, or Lara.5. Test Cricket Losing Its AllureFor many young players, Test cricket feels outdated compared to the fast money and instant fame of T20s. Stars like Shimron Hetmyer have skipped key tours, and the art of grinding out a five-day battle is being lost. Without reigniting passion for the longest format, West Indies risk losing its cricketing soul.6. Player Salaries and Central ContractsOne of the most damaging issues is the pay gap. West Indies central contracts offer a fraction of what top cricket nations provide—and nowhere near what franchise leagues pay. This financial disparity pushes players toward club commitments and away from international duty. Fair pay isn't just about reward—it's about retaining ICC-CWI Financial StructureadvertisementTo rebuild West Indies cricket, it is important to understand the financial structure of the ICC and the is set to receive between 1 million dollars and 100 million dollars from the ICC in the 2024–2027 the 2024-25 season, ICC reportedly allocated 20 million dollars to 2022, CWI generated roughly 34 million dollars, with 24 million dollars coming directly from ICC funds are lifelines—but without smarter spending, they won't stop the A Hope for the FutureWest Indies cricket was once the heartbeat of the sport—synonymous with dominance, flair, and unmatched brilliance. From producing fearsome fast bowlers to dazzling stroke-makers, the Caribbean team inspired generations and captured the world's imagination. In recent years, financial instability and structural challenges have dimmed that glow, but the story is far from decline is not irreversible. With strong leadership, transparent governance, and a shared vision, the West Indies can reclaim their place among cricket's elite. Investment in grassroots programs, better player-board relationships, and a modernized approach to the game can ignite a fans, our belief remains unshaken. The Caribbean still holds immense talent—waiting for the right moment and platform to shine. With unity, hard work, and determination, a new generation of match-winners will emerge, bringing back the pride, passion, and power of West Indies cricket. The comeback can—and will—happen.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'We've identified list of about hundred things': Legends after meeting to revive West Indies cricket
West Indies cricket team (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Cricket West Indies organised an emergency meeting with cricket legends to discuss improvements needed in West Indies cricket. The meeting in Trinidad brought together cricket icons including Viv Richards, Brian Lara , Clive Lloyd, Desmond Haynes, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and current head coach Daren Sammy. "We have identified a list of about a hundred things that we have to improve, but probably among the top five: facilities at every level for our cricketers; practice pitches across the region; the quality of our domestic tournaments. "There's definitely a skills deficiency at various levels that don't get highlighted till they reach international levels and then you see the glaring deficiencies vis-a-vis our international counterparts, which again is systemic," said Chris Dehring, the CWI chief executive. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The participants recognised West Indies cricket's current position behind other cricket-playing nations and developed plans to revitalise the sport regionally. The group acknowledged that improvements would require significant time. "As the batting coach (Jimmy Adams) pointed out, it's very difficult to change habits when you are getting somebody who has made so many runs at regional level but clearly has deficiencies when it comes to international level. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo It's very difficult to change in a couple of weeks. There are issues concerning strength and conditioning, which again points back to facilities which are available to youngsters and emerging players and 'A' teams, etc," Dehring explained. CWI intends to create a high-performance center to serve as a model for other regional countries. The meeting was called following West Indies' recent poor performance against Australia, where they scored just 27 runs, recording the second-lowest innings total in Test history. "It's been that case for years, where we are not in the same level-playing field as other playing countries. Back in the days when skill was the prominent factor, we excelled, we were the best team in the world. But the game has evolved, and technology and analytics, and we now have to see a new way of finding ourselves back to being very competitive. I said not a level-playing field because a lot of the countries are far ahead in these sorts of areas. The skill factor of the game is still there, but not as prominent as it was in the past," Lara stated after the meeting. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Telegraph
05-08-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
England's 10 greatest non-Ashes series and where India 2025 ranks
England and India have just completed an epic series that ended 2-2 after the most dramatic of climaxes. Telegraph Sport ranks where it sits in England's greatest non-Ashes series of all-time. 10. England 1 West Indies 3, 1963 A series of West Indies victories in England have a fine case for inclusion. For social significance, none can match 1950, when West Indies first won in England. For cricketing significance, none can match 1976, when brilliant performances from Michael Holding and Viv Richards marked the start of the West Indies super team. But for sheer compelling cricket, the criterion that covers this list, 1963 stands out. Garry Sobers – the most complete player that Test cricket has ever known – was in his prime and with the bat was supported by the runs of Rohan Kanhai, Conrad Hunte and Basil Butcher. The side also had a brilliant, varied attack that included the pace of Charlie Griffith and Wes Hall who were supplemented by Lance Gibbs's off spin. At Lord's, Colin Cowdrey came out with a broken arm to secure a draw. England could well have salvaged a 2-2 draw at the Oval, but Fred Trueman was injured early in their defence of 253. 9. South Africa 3 England 2, 1909-10 After losing to South Africa four years earlier, for the first time ever, England resolved to select a stronger side to try and enact revenge. Instead, South Africa completed an encore, again bewitching England were their phalanx of leg-spinners, who all possessed a fine googly. One of these bowlers, Bert Vogler, took 12 wickets in the Test as South Africa won the opening match by 19 runs. It was the first of three classic finishes: Jack Hobbs steered England to a three-wicket win in the third Test, before Aubrey Faulkner, South Africa's great all-rounder, clinched a four-wicket chase – and, with it, the series – in the fourth Test. 8. England 2 South Africa 2, 2003 The series began with England captain Nasser Hussain infamously getting the name of his counterpart, new South Africa skipper Graeme Smith, wrong. Within one Test, Hussain had resigned, and Smith scored the first of consecutive double centuries. When South Africa thrashed England at Lord's to go 1-0 up, there seemed to be a chasm between the sides. But England, now led by Michael Vaughan, fought back, culminating in a classic victory at the Oval to secure a 2-2 series draw, with local boy Graham Thorpe scoring a century on his Test return. 7. England 1 Pakistan 2, 1992 The summer in which England came across reverse swing at its most devastating for the first time. Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis engineered a series of stunning collapses: from 197 for three to 255 all out at Lord's, 292 for two to 320 all out at Headingley, and 182 for three to 207 all out at the Oval. Yet, even while being bewildered by reverse swing and issuing complaints about their opponents' tactics, England should have taken a 1-0 lead at Lord's, when Wasim and Waqar added an unbroken 46 to take Pakistan to a two-wicket victory. More brilliance from the pair, this time with the ball, secured victory in the decider at the Oval. 6. Sri Lanka 1 England 2, 2000-01 Every other series on this list comprised five Tests. That is no coincidence: five matches give greater scope not just for brilliant performances, but also for tensions to flare up. But when England visited Sri Lanka in 2001, the three Tests contained all the drama of the best five-match series: a cocktail of compelling cricket and often appalling umpiring, which contributed to the spikiness between the sides. Thrashed in the first Test against Murali and Co, England resolved to be more aggressive with the bat thereafter. Their flag-bearer was Thorpe, who was the leading scorer in consecutive four- and three-wicket chases. 5. England 3 West Indies 1, 2000 After 27 years, England were developing a team that they believed could finally win a series against West Indies. The first Test at Edgbaston, when Courtney Walsh took eight for 58 from 40 overs in the match to secure an innings victory, seemed to indicate that England were delusional. Midway through day two of the second Test at Lord's, England were bowled out for 134, trailing by 133 on first innings and on the brink of going 2-0 down. Out of despair, Andy Caddick then summoned an astonishing spell, taking five for 16 to bowl West Indies out for 54. Against relentless bowling from Walsh and Curtly Ambrose, England clinched a fraught two-wicket victory on the third day. It would be a hinge point in the modern history of both Test sides. With Caddick orchestrating another cataclysmic collapse at Headingley, to bowl West Indies out for 61, England won 3-1. 4. India 1 England 2, 2012-13 A heist that felt extraordinary at the time, but rapidly came to seem outlandish. After being thrashed in the first Test, England produced an astonishing heist in Mumbai. Captain Alastair Cook hit the second of his three Test centuries on the tour; Kevin Pietersen, newly reintegrated into the side, thrashed 186, one of the greatest ever innings by an overseas batsman in India. Almost as astonishingly, England's spin twins, Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann, outbowled India's own spinners, then repeated the feat in Kolkata as England went 2-1 up. A rearguard in Nagpur secured England's best result since the 2005 Ashes, and arguably even earlier. India would win their next 18 series at home, comfortably the best streak of any side in history. 3. West Indies 2 England 2, 1953-54 A series that some consider, with apologies to Bodyline, the most controversial of all. The clash in the Caribbean was billed as the 'world championship of cricket', and saw England complete a stirring comeback from 2-0 down to leave with a draw. Yet, while the games were lit up by a litany of great players – including the three Ws, Clyde Walcott, Everton Weekes and Frank Worrell, and the spin pair Sonny Ramadhin and Alf Valentine – the cricket was just the start. The series featured controversies about umpiring and throwing, and simmering tensions of class and race, as documented in David Woodhouse's riveting book Who Only Cricket Know. The only snag was that none of the individual matches were particularly close. 2. England 2 India 2, 2025 In the months before visiting England, India had lost Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin, creating fears that the side, and the spectacle, would be diminished. Instead, India's five Tests this summer have showed the format's continued capacity for regeneration. Shubman Gill swiftly earned comparisons with Don Bradman, never mind Kohli. He was merely one of a brilliant cast of characters to light up a full 25 days of cricket, alongside his rival captain Ben Stokes, the ebullient pair of No 5s, Rishabh Pant and Harry Brook, and the unique brilliance of Jasprit Bumrah. The teams served up four matches which produced fraught on-field moments and gripping denouements. Ultimately, the series got the ending it deserved: the indefatigable Mohammed Siraj yorking Gus Atkinson to secure a six-run win and a 2-2 draw. 1. England 2 South Africa 1, 1998 A victory that remains oddly under-appreciated in English cricketing memory, perhaps because it runs contrary to the lazy popular memory of the 1990s. Yet consider the quality of the side that South Africa possessed. With a pace attack of prime Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock and a deep batting line-up, South Africa recorded the best win-loss ratio of any Test side in the 1990s. After cruising to a 1-0 win at Lord's, South Africa had 171 overs to bowl England out at Old Trafford. Yet Mike Atherton, Alex Stewart and Robert Croft helped England cling on, with the last pair surviving for 5.1 overs to salvage a draw. The last two Tests were even better. On both occasions, England overcame narrow first-innings deficits to win. At Trent Bridge, Atherton came through a pulsating duel with Donald to orchestrate a chase of 247. Then, in the decider at Headingley, Darren Gough bowled England to a 23-run win on his home ground, in a series that went down to the very final morning. So did this year's clash with India, of course – but the 1998 series was further elevated because both sides could win the series on the final day.
IOL News
17-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
The tale of two Tests: Why it's time for a two-tier system in cricket
The Proteas, captained by Temba Bavuma, recently won the World Test Championship at Lord's after beating Australia in the final. Photo: AFP Image: AFP COMMENT In the one corner, there was Lord's. Splendid in all its regality. A full house on the fifth day enjoying a spectacle rivalled only by events at the very same ground just a few weeks earlier, when the Proteas lifted the Test mace in spectacular fashion. All three results were still possible, with both England and India teetering on the edge. The tension was palpable — sledging, swearing, and high-stakes cricket captivating a global audience. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Over 7 500km away, in far-off Jamaica, two other teams were slogging through the motions at a near-deserted Sabina Park. Not too long ago, the Frank Worrell Trophy — contested by the West Indies and Australia — was one of the most sought-after titles in world cricket. Thousands would cram into the George Headley Stand, with the picturesque Blue Mountains providing the idyllic Caribbean backdrop. But in 2025, the eminence of both the FWT — dominated by Australia for over two decades — and the West Indies themselves has dimmed alarmingly. Yet, not even the Windies' most disillusioned critic could have foreseen the looming nadir of this once-proud cricketing nation. The absolute carnage that unfolded in 14.3 overs of mayhem was painful to watch. The West Indies slumped to 11 for 6 in just 5.2 overs, before collapsing entirely for a pitiful 27 all out. Not since 1955 has a lower score been recorded in the history of Test cricket. The embarrassment was compounded by the occasion: the 50th anniversary of the West Indies' triumph in the inaugural Cricket World Cup — a tournament won by legends such as Sir Viv Richards, Sir Clive Lloyd, Michael Holding, and Andy Roberts. That very generation watched, helplessly, as the current crop — masquerading as Test cricketers — capitulated. Former captain Carl Hooper echoed the anger of a region, describing himself as 'angry' and 'upset'. He went further: 'It's not as if you can see some light at the end of the tunnel.' Which brings me to my point — one echoed recently by Ravi Shastri — that Test cricket must implement a two-tier system. Test cricket simply cannot afford to carry nations like the West Indies any longer. As heartbreaking as it may be for the likes of Lloyd to witness his beloved team demoted, there is no other viable path forward. The same logic applies to Zimbabwe. The Proteas' recent demolition of their northern neighbours across two Tests did little to enhance the prestige or appeal of the longest format. Wiaan Mulder's refusal to pursue a world-record individual score — choosing instead to let a 'legend' keep the title — speaks volumes. Had his unbeaten 367 come against one of the so-called "Big Three", there's little doubt he would have pushed for history. In today's cricket landscape, where the calendar is hopelessly congested, there simply isn't room for one-sided Test series that sap the sport's energy and public interest. Recent series between evenly matched sides — South Africa v India, England v Australia, Pakistan v New Zealand — have delivered riveting cricket, packed stadiums, and huge digital engagement. That is the standard fans crave. Difficult decisions need to be made — and soon. Test cricket remains the sport's purest form, its absolute pinnacle. But to preserve it, the game must prioritise quality over sentiment. The best teams must play each other regularly, free from the drag of nostalgia and the dead weight of decayed dynasties.
Washington Post
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Cricket legends Brian Lara and Viv Richards to help beleaguered West Indies team
Only a day after West Indies endured one of its worst performances in nearly a century of playing test matches, the president of the Caribbean cricket board was looking to the past to improve the future. WICB president Kishore Shallow on Tuesday said he plans to enlist Caribbean cricket greats such as Viv Richards and Brian Lara to help a West Indian lineup that scored just 27 runs in its second innings – one run short of the all-time test record for low totals — while losing the third of three tests to Australia.
