CWI announces 2023-24 Central Contracts with notable absences

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has unveiled its list of centrally contracted male and female players for the upcoming 2023-24 season.

These selections have been made based on recommendations from selection panels and subsequent approval by the board of directors.

The roster consists of 14 male players and 15 female players, chosen primarily on their performance during the 2022 to 2023 evaluation period. Notably, four male players, namely left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, right-handed batter Keacy Carty, and left-handed batters Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze, have received their first-ever central contracts.

In a significant development, all-rounders Zaida James and Sheneta Grimmond have been awarded their maiden contracts for the West Indies Women's team.

Three contracted male players have declined the new contract offers

However, CWI Media confirmed that three contracted male players have declined the new contract offers. These players include former West Indies captains Jason Holder and Nicholas Pooran, along with all-rounder Kyle Mayers, who was recently replaced as vice-captain of the West Indies T20 International team by Shai Hope.

It was mentioned that the trio confirmed their availability for all West Indies T20 Internationals during the contract year without providing further explanation.

In addition to these developments, several players from the 2022-23 list did not receive new contracts, including Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Obed McCoy, Odean Smith, and Hayden Walsh Jr.

West Indies Men’s Team head selector Desmond Haynes explained the careful deliberation behind the selection of contracted players. He emphasized the team's focus on preparing for a busy year of cricket across all formats, with an eye on the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, away Test Series in Australia and England, and building a strong nucleus of players for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 in the 50-over format.

Developing younger players to drive West Indies cricket forward

The contracted West Indies Men’s players for the 2023-24 season are: Alick Athanaze, Kraigg Brathwaite, Keacy Carty, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, and Romario Shepherd.

On the other hand, the contracted West Indies Women’s Team players include: Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Jannillea Glasgow, Sheneta Grimmond, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Mandy Mangru, Hayley Matthews, Karishma Ramharack, Stafanie Taylor, and Rashada Williams.

Ann Browne-John, lead selector for the West Indies Women’s Team, highlighted the focus on developing younger players to drive West Indies cricket forward, with the aim of preparing them for high-profile bilateral series and major global events in the future.