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.”

CWI CEO Skeptical of ICC Test Fund, Calls for Focus on Development

CWI CEO Skeptical of ICC Test Fund, Calls for Focus on Development

The outgoing Cricket West Indies (CWI) CEO Johnny Grave has expressed skepticism about the proposed ICC Test fund, suggesting that it will not significantly impact the state of Test cricket. The fund, which aims to provide a minimum match fee of US $10,000 for players in Test matches, has been met with mixed reactions.

Grave believes that the fund is insufficient to address the challenges facing Test cricket, particularly in the West Indies. He argues that the focus should be on increasing the number of three-match series, establishing dedicated Test windows, and supporting ‘A’ team programs.

“I think the idea of paying a Test fee of US $10,000 is not even window dressing,” Grave said. “We pay our players US $10,000. So, I sort of smiled when I saw that come out in the press.”

Grave acknowledges that the Test fund is a “significant amount of money” for CWI, but he believes it is a “rounding error” for other boards. He suggests that the ICC should prioritize measures that will improve the quality and competitiveness of Test cricket, such as providing more opportunities for players to develop their skills.

Despite his skepticism about the Test fund, Grave welcomes the “slight change in mindset” from the Big 3 (Australia, India, and England). He believes that the willingness to host major events outside of their own countries and to support the development of cricket in other regions is a positive step.

“We’ve got to get jeopardy back in, we’ve got to get competitive balance,” Grave said. “To a certain extent, some of that has changed.”

Grave’s comments highlight the ongoing debate about the future of Test cricket. While some believe that the format is in decline, others argue that it remains the pinnacle of the sport. The ICC Test fund is one of several initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting Test cricket, but it remains to be seen whether it will have the desired impact.

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.

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