A new chapter in West Indies Test cricket leadership is on the horizon, with Cricket West Indies (CWI) President Dr. Kishore Shallow confirming that the board expects to receive formal recommendations for the next Test captain within days.
Speaking on WESN TV’s Face of Sports, Dr. Shallow revealed, “We are hopeful that by the end of next week the Board will receive recommendations for the Test captain.”
Six players shortlisted in leadership development push
As part of a broader leadership development strategy, six players are being considered for the role: Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva, John Campbell, Jomel Warrican, Tevin Imlach, and Justin Greaves. All six have been selected for formal interviews and evaluations.
The captaincy selection process is being led by a panel including Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe, CWI Cricket Committee chairman Enoch Lewis, head coach Daren Sammy, and CEO Chris Dehring. Final recommendations will be submitted by Bascombe and Sammy.
Dr. Shallow noted that the process marks a significant evolution in how West Indies cricket identifies leaders. “This is the very first time we are going through this sort of process of identifying a Test captain and it is commendable of the cricket heads to come up with this type of approach,” he said.
Beyond the field: accountability and off-field leadership
More than just on-field strategy, the Test captaincy carries weight as a symbolic and public role. Dr. Shallow stressed the importance of holistic evaluation: “The Test captain is a significant role. It’s not just cricket on the field, but they are representing the entire region off the field as well.”
The evaluation process includes a psychometric test to assess leadership potential, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking. “There is even a psychometric test as one of the components of this whole process,” Dr. Shallow confirmed.
Building future-ready leadership in West Indies cricket
Dr. Shallow emphasized that the goal is not only to select the next captain but to develop a deeper leadership pool for the future. “It is actually a process going through where these people who are identified as potential leaders will be able to get a level of exposure of the requirements and the criteria that we look for in a player to appoint them as captain,” he explained.
He praised the technical team’s structured approach, calling it “really impressive stuff” and expressed hope that the process will lead to sustained leadership excellence.
“Hopefully, it can produce a very successful Test captain for us and hopefully, put the others who are up for consideration on a path that they would know what they need to do to be a captain in the future or whenever the opportunity arises.”
With a formal decision expected shortly, West Indies cricket is on the cusp of naming a new Test captain — a move that could usher in a new era of stability, accountability, and long-term planning in the red-ball format.
