ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has ushered in 2025 with a trio of transformative high-performance initiatives, aimed at elevating the region’s cricketing prowess and fostering a new era of excellence on and off the pitch.
By merging global expertise with homegrown talent, these ground-breaking programs seek to redefine player and coaching development across the Caribbean.
CWI’s first two initiatives, the High-Performance Batting Spin Camp and the Spin Bowling Camp, commenced on January 11 and will run through January 17. With 30 of the Caribbean’s brightest cricketing talents in attendance, these intensive camps focus on sharpening skills against spin and enhancing spin bowling techniques, with a spotlight on wrist spin.
Guided by Sriram Krishnamurthi, Head Coach of the Chennai Super Kings Academy, and renowned spin bowling coach Amar Rashid, the camps promise to deliver world-class training. For young players like Matthew Nandu (Guyana), Kirk McKenzie (Jamaica), and Kevin Wickham (Barbados), this marks the continuation of their developmental journey, following a stint at the Chennai Super Kings Academy in India last December.
“These camps are designed to address critical areas of modern cricket,” said Sriram Krishnamurthi. “The combination of individualized attention and a structured approach ensures the players are ready to tackle the demands of international cricket.”
Coaching symposium raises the bar
Running concurrently, the Coaching Symposium at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua (January 13-15) served as a cornerstone for fostering excellence among regional franchise coaches. With an emphasis on refining coaching methodologies, the symposium aimed to equip participants with tools to enhance player development and align with the unique West Indies brand of cricket.
Newly appointed West Indies Head Coach Daren Sammy led a team of six distinguished presenters, including specialists from the Chennai Super Kings Academy and CWI Coaching Development Consultant James Davidson. Eleven franchise coaches and two from the Combined Campuses and Colleges team attended, benefiting from workshops on modern coaching strategies and collaborative learning.
“This symposium is about building a network of knowledge and empowering our coaches to deliver world-class outcomes,” said Daren Sammy. “We want every coach to leave here better equipped to nurture the next generation of West Indies talent.”
Comprehensive vision for success
CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe underscored the holistic approach of these initiatives, highlighting their role in shaping a sustainable future for West Indies cricket.
“These parallel programs represent a strategic investment in West Indies cricket’s future,” Bascombe stated. “The synergy between specialized player development and the elevation of coaching standards creates a powerful framework for success. By connecting our recent initiatives, like the Chennai Super Kings Academy experience, with these new programs, we are building continuous development pathways that prepare our players and coaches for modern cricket’s challenges.”
Participants in the High-Performance Camps represent a blend of established and emerging stars, including prominent batters such as Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kevlon Anderson, and Ackeem Auguste, alongside spin bowlers like Hayden Walsh Jr., Bryan Charles, and rising under-19 talents.
Cricket West Indies’ commitment to these high-performance initiatives reflects its unyielding determination to remain competitive on the global stage. By investing in both players and coaches, CWI is ensuring that the region’s rich cricketing legacy evolves to meet the demands of the modern game.
Batters: Kevlon Anderson, Jewel Andrew (U19), Ackeem Auguste, Teddy Bishop, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Rivaldo Clarke, Joshua Dorne (U19), Justin Jaggasar, Jordan Johnson, Kirk McKenzie, Matthew Nandu, Carlton Bowen-Tuckett, Kevin Wickham.
Spin bowlers: Ryan Bandoo, Navin Bidaisee, Joshua Bishop, Yannic Cariah, Bryan Charles, Darel Cyrus, Mavendra Dindyal, Chaim Holder, Vitel Lawes (U19), Avinash Mahabirsingh, Abhijai Mansingh, Michael McKenzie (U19), Zishan Motara, Tamarie Redwood, Nathan Sealy, Hayden Walsh Jr.
