ROSEAU, Dominica — St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has delivered a scathing critique of Cricket West Indies (CWI) President Dr. Kishore Shallow, expressing dismay over the organization’s direction and the dismal performances of the West Indies cricket teams under his leadership.
Speaking during a lecture in Dominica, Gonsalves, a passionate cricket advocate, lamented the absence of transformative progress since Shallow assumed the presidency in March 2023. “I have not seen the sort of changes for the better that I really thought he would have led,” Gonsalves said bluntly.
A decline in performance and progress
Gonsalves’ comments pointed to West Indies cricket’s subpar performances across formats, particularly in T20 cricket, where significant investments have yielded lackluster results. “The T20, we invest so much money—it’s terrible. And it doesn’t matter what gloss you put on it. You have to look at the results,” he stated emphatically.
He further noted widespread criticism from seasoned administrators and former Test players, who have denounced the direction of West Indies cricket under Shallow’s leadership. “It’s not a positive record at all,” Gonsalves declared. “I genuinely thought that he would have made some changes for the better, but I haven’t seen them.”
An entrenched, lifeless operation
Gonsalves accused CWI of functioning like a “private operation” disconnected from the broader public good cricket represents in the Caribbean. “West Indies cricket is a public good, and they’re still running it as though it is an entrenched, private operation,” he argued.
According to the Prime Minister, bureaucratic inefficiencies within the organization have hindered efforts to develop cricket at its roots. He called for increased investment in grassroots cricket, particularly in schools, as a critical pathway to rejuvenating the sport. “We need to see a lot more development taking place. Governments are putting money into it, but it’s not enough if we don’t build from the schools,” he added.
Governance reform on the horizon?
Gonsalves’ stinging critique coincides with a pivotal moment for CWI. Tomorrow, the organization will convene a meeting with its full member shareholders to vote on implementing governance reforms recommended by the Wehby Report.
Among the proposals up for discussion are term limits for the president and vice-president roles, as well as adjustments to the duration of their terms. While Gonsalves did not directly address these reforms, his comments underscore a broader dissatisfaction with the status quo.
The meeting comes at a critical juncture for West Indies cricket, with fans and stakeholders clamoring for accountability and a revival of the team’s once-proud legacy.
Prime Minister Gonsalves’ remarks highlight a deep yearning across the region for visionary leadership capable of restoring the pride and competitive edge of West Indies cricket. His critique serves as a clarion call for tangible action, not only from CWI but also from regional governments and other stakeholders invested in the future of the sport.
 President Dr. Kishore Shallow){kind=link}