The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Bureau, including its Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee (PMSC) on Cricket, has released a strongly worded statement urging Cricket West Indies (CWI) to implement longstanding reforms following continued underperformance, especially in Test cricket.
The virtual meeting, held on 21 July 2025, included Incumbent Chair Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness (Prime Minister of Jamaica), Outgoing Chair Hon. Mia Mottley (Prime Minister of Barbados), and Incoming Chair Dr. the Hon. Terrance Drew (Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis). His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Chair of the PMSC on Cricket, led the discussion on the current state of West Indies cricket.
Cricket as a public good and cultural pillar
The PMSC emphasized that cricket is more than a sport—it is an essential part of the Caribbean’s economic, cultural, and emotional fabric. “Cricket has, for decades, been a platform through which our small nations have collectively stood tall on the world stage,” the statement noted. The committee referred to West Indies Cricket as a “public good.”
Concerns over governance and long-term viability
Expressing concern over the direction of the sport in the region—especially the long format—the PMSC cited challenges ranging from youth development and talent retention to governance and long-term planning. The group called the West Indies’ recent performance “a moment of reckoning.”
Calls for governance reform and accountability
The PMSC reaffirmed its interest in restructuring the governance and strategic planning of West Indies cricket and urged CWI to conduct a transparent review of:
Leadership and management
Governance structures
Economic sustainability models
Development frameworks
Multiple reports, limited action
The committee highlighted the lack of implementation of critical recommendations from previous governance reviews, including:
The Patterson Report (2007)
The Barriteau Report (2015)
The Wehby Report (2020)
“We are troubled by the lack of real progress,” the statement read. The PMSC again urged CWI to implement the concrete actions outlined in these documents.
New committee to synthesize reform agenda
The PMSC is forming a new committee comprising cricket legends, private sector representatives, and academia. This special group will review the previous reports, consolidate their findings, and develop an actionable reform plan. CWI and national cricket associations will be invited to participate in the consultation process.
CARICOM’s commitment to a cricket revival
The PMSC concluded with a message of hope and resolve: “CARICOM remains committed to engaging with CWI and the regional public to support bold, strategic reforms that will rebuild public confidence and restore West Indies cricket to the pinnacle of global excellence.”
