GEORGETOWN, Guyana — In a decisive and impassioned statement, the CARICOM Prime Ministerial Subcommittee on Cricket (PMSC) has issued a powerful call to action, demanding urgent and sweeping reforms in West Indies cricket.
With the sport’s prestige hanging in the balance, regional leaders declared that the time for excuses has ended—and the time for bold transformation is now.
“A wake-up call”: Caribbean leaders decry cricket’s decline
The announcement followed a high-level virtual meeting of the CARICOM Bureau on July 21, chaired by Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness. He was joined by outgoing Chair and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, and incoming Chair, Terrance Drew of St. Kitts and Nevis.
At the heart of the conversation was Guyana’s President, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who also chairs the PMSC on Cricket. Ali led an unflinching discussion on the troubling state of West Indies cricket—particularly the steep decline in Test match performance and the stagnation of youth development.
“The team’s recent performances are a wake-up call,” the PMSC declared. “Every match our West Indies team plays carries weight far beyond the boundary ropes.”
Cricket as a “public good”: More than a game
Cricket, the committee stressed, is far more than a sport in the Caribbean. It is a cultural institution, a source of economic opportunity, and a symbol of regional identity and pride. The PMSC labeled it a “public good” that has historically served as a unifying force and lifted Caribbean nations to global prominence.
Yet, the leaders expressed deep alarm over the sport’s deterioration—citing persistent failures in governance, planning, and development pathways. The subcommittee lamented that while reports have long identified solutions, meaningful action has remained elusive.
Decades of inaction: Reports left to gather dust
The PMSC took direct aim at the chronic inaction that has plagued Cricket West Indies (CWI), noting the continued failure to implement critical reforms recommended in several landmark reviews:
- The 2007 Patterson Report on governance overhaul
- The 2015 Eudine Barriteau Report on leadership and structural change
- The 2020 Wehby Report on CWI reform
“We are troubled by the lack of real progress,” the committee stated bluntly. “The time for talk is over.”
A new committee, a renewed mission
In a strategic move to break the cycle of inertia, the PMSC will establish a new reform committee composed of cricketing icons, private-sector leaders, and academic experts. This panel will review the extensive reform literature, distill the most urgent and actionable recommendations, and produce a bold, regionally-driven implementation plan.
CWI and national cricket associations will be invited to take part in this effort—a clear sign that CARICOM intends to pursue collaboration but will no longer accept delay.
Restoring pride, rebuilding greatness
Reaffirming its unwavering commitment to regional cricket, CARICOM vowed to partner with all stakeholders to restore public confidence and return the West Indies to global competitiveness across all formats.
“The Caribbean deserves a cricket team that reflects its passion and pride,” the statement concluded. “The time for talk is over.”
