ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The winds of change are sweeping through West Indies cricket, and at the heart of this transformation is a deliberate, unprecedented approach to selecting the next leader of the Test team.
According to Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Dr. Kishore Shallow, the region’s new Test captain will be named by next weekend, capping off a rigorous and reflective selection process that has captivated cricket circles across the Caribbean.
“This is the very first time we are going through this sort of process of identifying a Test captain,” Dr. Shallow revealed during a recent appearance on WESN TV’s Face of Sports. “It is commendable of the cricket heads to come up with this type of approach.”
The shortlist: Six contenders, one destiny
The announcement comes in the wake of news that six players have been shortlisted for the prestigious role: Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva, John Campbell, Jomel Warrican, Tevin Imlach, and Justin Greaves. Each candidate has undergone a structured interview process designed not just to assess their leadership potential, but also to offer them a rare window into the full spectrum of expectations that come with captaining the West Indies Test team.
“It is no secret, we are looking at about six players,” Dr. Shallow confirmed. “What I want the public to understand is it’s not just done with eyes on the Test captaincy only—it’s actually a process where these people who are identified as potential leaders will get a level of exposure to the requirements and criteria we look for in a player to appoint them as captain.”
A leadership laboratory: The minds behind the mission
At the helm of this historic process is a leadership collective composed of CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, head coach Daren Sammy, CEO Chris Dehring, and Chairman of the Cricket Committee Enoch Lewis. Bascombe and Sammy, both former cricketers with an intimate understanding of the modern game, are tasked with making the final recommendations.
“The last update that I got from the Director of Cricket is that the process is going pretty well,” Dr. Shallow said. “We are hopeful that by the end of next week the Board will receive recommendations for the Test captain.”
Beyond the boundary: A role that demands more
But this is no ordinary captaincy. This is a position that requires not only technical acumen on the pitch but also strength of character, strategic insight, and the ability to embody the spirit of the Caribbean across global stages.
“The Test captain is a significant role. It’s not just cricket on the field—they are representing the entire region off the field as well,” Dr. Shallow emphasized. “We want to give them an insight as to what is required of them when they are considered. There is even a psychometric test as one of the components of this whole process.”
The use of such sophisticated evaluation tools underscores CWI’s commitment to identifying a leader capable of navigating both the pressures of international cricket and the broader expectations of a passionate fan base.
Setting a new standard
Dr. Shallow concluded with optimism, expressing confidence in the integrity and foresight of the process.
“It is really impressive stuff by the technical team, and hopefully, it can produce a very successful Test captain for us,” he said. “And hopefully, put the others who are up for consideration on a path that they would know what they need to do to be a captain in the future or whenever the opportunity arises.”
As West Indies cricket stands on the cusp of a pivotal leadership decision, all eyes are now on the next announcement. The game may be played on the field, but the future is being shaped in the boardrooms, interviews, and psychological evaluations that now define the path to Test captaincy.
 president Dr. Kishore Shallow, the region’s new Test captain will be named by next weekend.){kind=link}