CWI unveils West Indies players' central contract offers; Pooran, Mayers and Holder decline offer

In the recently concluded evaluations for the 2023-2024 cricket season, Cricket West Indies (CWI) has revealed its freshly contracted players. The selections were based on a thorough assessment of performances from the 2022-2023 period, following recommendations from Selection Panels and the Board of Directors' endorsement.

Notably, four talented additions marked the Men's roster: Gudakesh Motie, a left-arm spinner, along with right-handed batter Keacy Carty, and left-handed batters Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze. The Women's team saw two new faces securing contracts for the first time: all-rounders Zaida James and Sheneta Grimmond have earned their well-deserved spots.

“With a busy year of cricket ahead, in all three formats, we have held several detailed discussions with the two Head Coaches on the brand of cricket they want to play. We are very clear in the direction we want to go. The players who have been offered contracts are among those who we expect to feature, as we look to build towards challenging for the top spot when we host and compete in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 on home soil,” said Desmond Haynes, Men’s chief selector was quoted as saying by Cricket West Indies.

“We also have away Test Series in Australia and England – these are two major assignments whilst in the 50-over format we look to build a nucleus of players aimed towards the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027,” he added. 

West Indies Cricket going through a financial turmoil

The altered ICC structure favouring the Big Three—ECB, BCCI, and Cricket Australia—has notably diminished the allure of West Indian cricket. Coupled with internal strife, the financial state worsened. As reported by Forbes, a 2020 independent report on the West Indies Cricket Board unearthed substantial financial discrepancies. 

Before the pandemic hit, Cricket West Indies (CWI) admitted non-payment of match fees to players for the white-ball series against Ireland and Sri Lanka. This financial turmoil had raised concerns about the stability of West Indies cricket, posing challenges for player remuneration and the overall health of the sport in the region.