Forde, Jangoo and Mangru land first West Indies contracts; Campbell returns

Matthew Forde, Amir Jangoo and Mandy Mangru are among three players rewarded with their first Cricket West Indies (CWI) international retainer contracts, while John Campbell has earned a recall to the contracted ranks after a seven-year absence.

The quartet headline CWI’s 2026-27 contract announcements, with 15 men and 15 women securing senior retainer agreements for the October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027, period. Three additional male players have been awarded development contracts as the regional governing body looks to strengthen its international playing pool.

The appointments come with major assignments looming for both senior teams, with the men preparing for February’s ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier and the women targeting automatic qualification for the next ICC Women's Cricket World Cup through their December One-Day International series against Pakistan.

Qualification ambitions drive contract decisions

CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe emphasized that the contracts reflect the responsibilities and expectations facing the players over the coming year.

“Every one of these contracts is tied to a job in front of us,” Bascombe said.

“For the men, the first job is the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in February, and we go there with every intention of making it through. For the women, it is the Pakistan ODIs in December, which give us the chance to own automatic qualification for the next ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. Matthew, Amir and Mandy have earned their places in that work, and John has earned his way back.”

The three national captains — Shai Hope, who leads the ODI and T20I teams, Test skipper Roston Chase and women's captain Hayley Matthews — retain their places at the heart of the contracted setup.

Campbell's resurgence earns long-awaited reward

Campbell's return represents a significant milestone in a season that has delivered some of the most memorable performances of his international career.

The Jamaican receives an international retainer for the first time since 2019, following a productive 2025-26 campaign highlighted by his maiden Test century, an impressive 115 against India in Delhi.

He also forced his way back into the ODI lineup after six years away, making an emphatic statement with a blistering 101 from just 68 deliveries against India in Guwahati in September.

Meanwhile, Forde and Jangoo have translated their recent international performances into their first senior contracts.

Forde has established himself as a valuable new-ball weapon in limited-overs cricket, claiming more powerplay wickets than any other West Indies bowler across both white-ball formats during the past year. His tally included 10 T20 International wickets and six in ODIs.

Jangoo's breakthrough came with a remarkable Test performance against Sri Lanka in Antigua in June. The wicketkeeper-batter struck a commanding 233, sharing a monumental 401-run, sixth-wicket partnership with Chase, a new world record for that position in Test cricket.

Keacy Carty, Chase, Justin Greaves and Jomel Warrican are entering the final year of their respective two-year contracts.

Young trio brought closer to international setup

Jewel Andrew, Ackeem Auguste and Vitel Lawes have been named on the three-man development contracts.

All have already represented the West Indies, although the agreements represent a first international contract for Auguste and Lawes.

Bascombe explained that the development arrangements are intended to give emerging players greater access to the resources and support available within the senior international environment.

“Development contracts bring players into the international set-up, where we can support them most closely and guide their progress,” he said.

“They are in contention for selection now. This gives them the best environment to keep growing while they compete for places.”

Mangru rewarded after World Cup breakthrough

On the women's side, Mangru's elevation to the senior contracted group follows her involvement in the West Indies squad that reached the semifinals of the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup.

The contract marks an important step in the career of the emerging player, who joins an established group led by Matthews.

Veterans Deandra Dottin and Chinelle Henry are both entering the final year of their two-year agreements.

The women's team will turn its attention to the December ODI assignment against Pakistan, with interim head coach Andre Coley overseeing preparations.

CWI also clarified that players outside the international contracted groups remain eligible for selection to any of the West Indies teams.

The organization will announce the composition of its 2026-27 Men's Academy and the regional women's contracts separately.

2026-27 CWI CONTRACTED PLAYERS

Senior Men's Retainer Contracts (15)

John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase (Test captain), Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope (ODI and T20I captain), Akeal Hosein, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales and Jomel Warrican.

Men's Development Contracts (3)

Jewel Andrew, Ackeem Auguste and Vitel Lawes.

Senior Women's Retainer Contracts (15)

Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Jahzara Claxton, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Jannillea Glasgow, Realeanna Grimmond, Shawnisha Hector, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Mandy Mangru, Hayley Matthews (captain), Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack and Stafanie Taylor.