CWI unleashes pace project as Caribbean fast bowlers gather for elite assessment camp

Cricket West Indies has launched a significant new initiative aimed at strengthening one of the region’s most celebrated cricketing traditions: fast bowling.

Twelve promising pace bowlers from across the Caribbean have converged on Antigua for a specialized High-Performance Fast Bowling Assessment Camp, a 10-day program designed to identify, challenge, and develop the next wave of bowlers capable of carrying West Indies cricket into the future.

Running from June 1 to June 11 at Coolidge Cricket Ground, the camp forms a key pillar of Cricket West Indies’ long-term strategy to deepen the region’s fast-bowling resources and create a stronger pipeline of talent across all formats of the game.

More than raw speed

While pace remains a prized commodity in modern cricket, the camp's mission extends well beyond measuring who can bowl the fastest.

Participants will undergo a series of structured assessments intended to evaluate every aspect of their craft, including technical execution, tactical awareness, physical durability, consistency, and problem-solving ability under pressure.

The objective is to identify bowlers who possess not only speed but also the complete skill set required to succeed in both red-ball and white-ball cricket at the highest level.

By creating measurable benchmarks and exposing players to targeted challenges, Cricket West Indies hopes to gain a clearer understanding of the region’s current fast-bowling resources while accelerating the development of those with international potential.

Gibson returns to shape the future

At the center of the initiative is one of the Caribbean’s most respected fast-bowling minds.

Former West Indies paceman and internationally acclaimed bowling coach Ottis Gibson will oversee the camp in his recently appointed role as Fast Bowling Consultant.

Having worked with elite players and teams around the world, Gibson arrives with a reputation for identifying talent and helping bowlers unlock higher levels of performance.

For him, the assignment is both a challenge and an opportunity.

“I’m excited and honoured to be working with this developing generation of fast bowlers across the region,” Gibson said. “The main objective is to enhance and maximise the potential of the players we have, which will ultimately benefit West Indies cricket in the long run.”

His early observations have left him encouraged by the quality of talent available.

“I’ve been very impressed with the talent and resources I’ve seen so far during my time here. There are several promising players who stand out in terms of their physicality, height and strength. What they now need is the capacity, determination, and desire to consistently bowl fast.”

Taylor adds experience and perspective

Supporting Gibson throughout the camp is former West Indies fast bowler Jerome Taylor, whose transition into coaching has seen him become an increasingly influential figure within regional player development programs.

Taylor's experience as one of the Caribbean's accomplished pace bowlers provides participants with direct access to insights gained from competing at the highest level of international cricket.

Together, Gibson and Taylor will guide the group through an intensive period of evaluation, technical refinement, and performance analysis.

A critical piece of the High-Performance puzzle

For Cricket West Indies, the camp is about much more than a single group of bowlers.

According to High-Performance Manager Dwain Gill, the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to ensure the region maintains a steady supply of fast-bowling talent for years to come.

“This camp is a strategic component of our wider High-Performance strategy to strengthen the regional fast bowling pipeline and ensure we continue building depth across all formats of the game,” Gill explained.

“We want to identify bowlers who demonstrate the technical skill, physical capabilities, tactical awareness and mindset required to compete at the international level, while also providing targeted support to accelerate their development within the CWI system.”

The approach reflects a growing emphasis on succession planning and structured talent development throughout the Caribbean cricket landscape.

The bowlers under the spotlight

The camp features a diverse cross-section of emerging and established regional talent drawn from territorial boards, the West Indies Academy, and the High Performance Centre.

High-Performance fast bowling assessment camp participants are Khari Campbell (Jamaica Scorpions), Joshua Cepal (Saint Lucia High Performance Center), McKenny Clarke (Windward Islands Volcanoes), Joshua James (Trinidad & Tobago Red Force), Anderson Phillip (Trinidad & Tobago Red Force), Jakeem Pollard (West Indies Academy), Ojay Shields (Jamaica Scorpions), Ramon Simmons (Barbados Pride), Nial Smith (Guyana Harpy Eagles), Javier Spencer (Leeward Islands Hurricanes), Oshane Thomas (Leeward Islands Hurricanes), and Gilon Tyson (Windward Islands Volcanoes).

For decades, fearsome fast bowlers helped establish the West Indies as one of cricket’s dominant forces. The names may change from generation to generation, but the region’s commitment to producing quality pace bowlers remains unwavering.

This latest assessment camp represents another deliberate effort to preserve that legacy while adapting to the demands of the modern game.

Over the next 10 days in Antigua, 12 bowlers will be tested, measured, and challenged. Some will emerge with a clearer path toward international cricket, while others will gain valuable insights into the areas requiring improvement.

What remains certain is that Cricket West Indies views fast bowling as a cornerstone of its future.

And if the organization's latest initiative succeeds, the next generation of Caribbean speedsters may already be taking shape on the training grounds of Coolidge Cricket Ground.