CWI Awards Multi-Year Contracts to Top Cricketers

CWI Awards Multi-Year Contracts to Top Cricketers

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has taken a groundbreaking step by awarding multi-year contracts to its top male and female cricketers. This move is a testament to the board’s commitment to player development and stability.

The contracts, which span from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2026, are the result of a new four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between CWI and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA). The contracts provide financial security and peace of mind for the players, allowing them to focus on their performances.

A total of 15 male players have been awarded contracts, with six receiving two-year deals. Men’s ODI captain Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, and Jayden Seales are among those who have earned multi-year contracts.

The women’s team has also benefited from the new contract structure. Stafanie Taylor, Shemaine Campbelle, and Hayley Matthews have all been awarded multi-year deals.

“CWI has committed to maintaining open and honest dialogue with players, and being practical about the realities of the modern game,” said Miles Bascombe, CWI’s director of cricket. “The players have responded in kind, and the acceptance of multi-year contracts is an indication of clarity, confidence, and commitment on both sides.”

Notable absentees from the contracts list include senior fast bowler Kemar Roach, who is currently in discussions about a dual playing and mentor role. Batter Tagenarine Chanderpaul has also missed out on a central contract but will take up a franchise retainer contract with Guyana Harpy Eagles.

Among the new entrants to the contracts list are allrounder Roston Chase and batter Kavem Hodge. Chase was a key player in West Indies’ run to the Super Eight during the 2024 T20 World Cup, while Hodge scored a vital first-innings 71 in West Indies’ first Test victory in Australia in 28 years.

The awarding of multi-year contracts is a significant step forward for West Indies cricket. It provides stability and security for the players, allowing them to focus on their performances and contribute to the success of the team.

Lynford Inverary Appointed as CWI's New COO and Acting CEO

Lynford Inverary Appointed as CWI’s New COO and Acting CEO

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has appointed Lynford Inverary as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The decision was made by the board of directors on September 28 in Port-of-Spain.

Inverary’s appointment as COO will be effective from October 1, and his role as Acting CEO will commence on November 1. He will succeed Johnny Grave, who has served as CEO of CWI for close to eight years.

During his tenure, Grave oversaw three World Cups hosted in the West Indies: the 2018 Women’s T20 World Cup, the 2022 Under-19 World Cup, and the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup co-hosted with the USA. He also served as the T20 World Cup CEO for the event in June this year.

Inverary, an Antiguan national born in Guyana, has over a decade’s worth of experience at CWI, where he has held various roles, including Business Planning Manager and Acting Corporate Secretary. More recently, he spearheaded the formation of CWI’s 2024-27 strategic plan, titled ‘The Long Run,’ which outlines a comprehensive roadmap for improving governance, enhancing cricket development, optimizing operational efficiency, and ensuring long-term growth and sustainability for the organization.

“I am honored and grateful to the CWI Board of Directors for their vote of confidence in my ability to lead,” said Inverary. “I embrace this new challenge as a platform to continue contributing to the development of the sport that means so much to me and the people of the West Indies.”

“I look forward to working with the board, management, and staff to implement our four-year strategic plan, improve operational efficiency, and shape a strong future for West Indies cricket.”

Inverary holds a graduate degree from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, and an MBA degree from the University of South Wales.

“Lynford brings a wealth of institutional knowledge and a deep understanding of CWI’s strategic goals, paired with an operational capacity to execute with precision,” said CWI President Dr. Kishore Shallow. “Over his decade-long tenure, he has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, guiding critical projects to successful completion while steering key initiatives with purpose and vision.”

“His unyielding commitment and expertise leave us confident in his ability to lead CWI through this pivotal phase of growth and transformation.”

Graeme West Appointed Director of High Performance at Cricket Ireland

Graeme West Appointed Director of High Performance at Cricket Ireland

Graeme West, the current Cricket West Indies (CWI) high-performance manager, is set to take over as director of high performance at Cricket Ireland (CI) next month. West brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked closely with young talent from across the West Indies during his stint with CWI that started in 2012.

In 2016, West coached the West Indies team that lifted the Under-19 World Cup. After working with the U-19 and ‘A’ teams, his current role as high-performance manager included setting up academy programs and building a pool of coaches. He is expected to have a similar profile in Ireland.

Before joining CWI, West spent five years at the Middlesex academy, where he worked with Ireland internationals Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie, Andrew Poynter, and Stuart Poynter. West has not played any top-flight cricket but holds a Level 4 ECB coaching qualification.

“I am delighted to be joining Cricket Ireland as the organization continues to grow and strengthen,” West said in a statement. “The Strategic Plan for 2024-27 is incredibly exciting, and I look forward to applying my experience and philosophy to the wealth of talent and expertise that has been assembled as we further establish Ireland as a major cricketing nation.”

Warren Deutrom, the chief executive at CI, said the appointment was a step towards Ireland becoming a “fit-for-purpose Full Member.”

“When we set out to create and recruit for the role, the profile, initiative, and experience that Graeme possesses is exactly what we were looking for,” Deutrom said. “We knew that in order to be successful in this new role, the candidate required leadership experience, exceptional people skills, and the ability to be a mentor as much as a manager. In Graeme, we believe we have found that candidate.”

“As an organization, we are going through a process of reviewing and evolving our operations to ensure we are fit-for-purpose as a Full Member in a rapidly changing environment. One of the strategic decisions we made was to acknowledge the scale and scope of our work has outgrown our pre-Full Member structures.”

The senior men’s team has a busy few weeks ahead, with a white-ball tour of the UAE to play South Africa later this month. The senior women’s team is set to host England for three ODIs and two ODIs starting Saturday.

Johnny Grave to Step Down as CWI CEO in 2024

Johnny Grave to Step Down as CWI CEO in 2024

Johnny Grave, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cricket West Indies (CWI), has announced his departure from the organization in October 2024. Grave, who has held the position since February 2017, will step down after overseeing a successful period for West Indies cricket.

During his tenure, Grave has played a pivotal role in hosting three World Cups in the West Indies: the 2018 Women’s T20 World Cup, the 2022 Under-19 World Cup, and the upcoming 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup co-hosted with the USA. He also served as the T20 World Cup CEO for the event held in June 2023.

Grave’s leadership has also been instrumental in securing significant surpluses for CWI for three consecutive years. He has been a vocal advocate for changes in the ICC’s revenue-share model, calling it “completely broken” and urging the boards of India, Australia, and England to work with the ICC to improve the economics of Test cricket.

Kishore Shallow, CWI President, praised Grave’s contributions, stating, “Johnny’s efforts, particularly through challenging times such as the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as successfully hosting three World Cups including have made a lasting impact on CWI.”

Under Grave’s guidance, CWI has acquired and taken full ownership of the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG), which now serves as the organization’s headquarters and home to its Men’s and Women’s Academies.

CWI has initiated a comprehensive recruitment process to select Grave’s successor. The organization is committed to ensuring a thorough and transparent selection process, with details to be announced shortly.

West Indies 'A' Squad Announced for Nepal T20 Tour

West Indies ‘A’ Squad Announced for Nepal T20 Tour

Cricket West Indies has announced a formidable 15-member ‘A’ squad for their upcoming tour of Nepal, featuring a host of experienced T20 specialists. The tour, scheduled for later this month, marks the first time a West Indian side will visit Nepal and serves as a crucial preparation phase for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Led by Roston Chase, the squad boasts a wealth of talent, including Fabian Allen, Johnson Charles, Mark Deyal, Andre Fletcher, Obed McCoy, and Hayden Walsh. Chase, initially known as a Test specialist, has made significant strides in T20 cricket since his debut in 2021.

Desmond Haynes, West Indies’ lead selector, emphasized the importance of the tour for players not involved in the Indian Premier League (IPL). “It provides an invaluable opportunity to get our players back on the park playing competitive T20 cricket,” he said. “It also allows us to expose emerging prospects.”

The World Cup, to be co-hosted by the USA and West Indies in June, will feature Nepal among the 20 participating teams. West Indies white-ball coach Daren Sammy believes the Nepal tour will be crucial in refining the World Cup squad. “It offers us a chance to define roles and personnel more clearly,” he said.

Nine West Indians are currently participating in the IPL, including Andre Russell, Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran, and Rovman Powell. Their performances in the IPL will be closely monitored as West Indies seeks to gauge the depth of its T20 team.

The West Indies ‘A’ squad will be coached by Floyd Reifer, assisted by Rayon Griffith. The tour will consist of five T20 matches, providing ample opportunities for the players to showcase their skills and prepare for the upcoming World Cup.

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