ST JOHN’S, Antigua — Cricket West Indies (CWI) has formally accepted an apology from Antigua & Barbuda Falcons Head Coach Paul Nixon and the franchise’s management, following inaccurate public comments regarding CWI’s handling of player medical information ahead of the 2025 Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
In a statement, CWI clarified that established medical protocols were fully followed prior to the CPL season, including the timely delivery of medical handover reports for all players, including Justin Greaves.
CWI confirms medical protocols were followed
CWI’s operational standards require physiotherapists to provide detailed medical handover reports to franchise medical teams before the start of any tournament. The board confirmed that this process was correctly executed ahead of the CPL, which began on August 14, 2025.
Dr. Denis Byam, CWI’s Lead Physiotherapist, submitted medical documentation for Justin Greaves after the final ODI vs Pakistan on August 12. The report was sent to both the Leeward Islands franchise (Greaves’ home territory) and to the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons’ medical staff.
The documentation detailed Greaves’ fitness clearance following a July 20 MRI scan and noted a subsequent Achilles tendon concern raised on August 6 that had limited his bowling load.
Franchise oversight in player assessment
CWI also highlighted that after Greaves joined the Falcons on August 13, no initial medical assessment was conducted by the franchise, and only one physiotherapy session occurred during the first three weeks of the tournament.
This oversight contradicted standard CPL protocols, which require teams to conduct their own pre-tournament assessments upon player arrival to manage fitness and workload appropriately.
CWI CEO Chris Dehring: “Player welfare remains the highest priority”
CWI CEO Chris Dehring issued a statement on the situation:
“We take great pride in the professionalism and expertise of our Sports Science and Medicine Unit, who consistently ensure that player welfare remains the highest priority. Our protocols are designed to protect athletes and enable seamless handovers across all levels of competition.”
CWI reaffirms partnership with CPL
Dehring also emphasized the organization’s continued support for the Caribbean Premier League, calling it a “success story for West Indies cricket”.
“We reaffirm the close working relationship shared between CWI and the CPL. The CPL continues to energize cricket across the region and remains one of our most important events,” he said.
Looking ahead: collaboration and accountability
CWI expressed appreciation for the Falcons’ clarification and looks forward to continued collaboration with all CPL franchises to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, and athlete care.
“We remain committed to building a stronger future for West Indies cricket,” the statement concluded.
