CMC – The CARICOM Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee (PMSC) on Cricket has issued a strong call for sweeping reforms in West Indies cricket, expressing deep concern over the sport’s current state and demanding immediate action from Cricket West Indies (CWI).
The statement follows a virtual meeting of the CARICOM Bureau on July 21, chaired by Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Dr. Andrew Holness, alongside outgoing Chair Mia Mottley of Barbados and incoming Chair Dr. Terrance Drew of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Guyana’s President and PMSC Cricket Chair, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, led discussions on the critical state of West Indies cricket.
The PMSC emphasised cricket’s immense economic, cultural, and emotional significance to the region, calling it a “public good” that has long elevated Caribbean nations on the global stage.
However, the committee voiced alarm over the sport’s decline, particularly in Test cricket, citing failures in youth development, governance, and long-term planning.
“The team’s recent performances are a wake-up call,” the statement read. “Every match our West Indies team plays carries weight far beyond the boundary ropes.”
CARICOM leaders highlighted years of inaction on major reform proposals, including the 2007 Patterson Report on governance, the 2015 Eudine Barriteau Report, and the 2020 Wehby Report on CWI restructuring.
“We are troubled by the lack of real progress,” the PMSC stated, urging CWI to finally implement the overdue recommendations.
To break the cycle of stagnation, the PMSC will convene a special committee featuring cricket legends, private-sector leaders, and academics.
This group will review past reports, consolidate key recommendations, and draft an action plan, with CWI and national associations invited to participate.
CARICOM reaffirmed its commitment to working with CWI and regional stakeholders to enact bold reforms, restore public trust, and return West Indies cricket to world dominance across all formats.
“The time for talk is over,” the statement concluded. “The Caribbean deserves a cricket team that reflects its passion and pride.”