At the request of Cricket West Indies (CWI) President Kishore Shallow, an emergency meeting of the Cricket Strategy & Officiating Committee began in Trinidad to address pressing challenges in West Indies cricket and implement immediate structural reforms. The two-day summit, held at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, has brought together the committee’s members, including former West Indies greats Desmond Haynes, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ian Bradshaw, along with special invitees Sir Clive Lloyd and Sir Vivian Richards. Senior men’s players and coaching staff, led by head coach Daren Sammy, are also taking part. CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe underlined the significance of the gathering. “This summit represents a critical turning point for West Indies cricket. We hope to engage in frank, honest and solutions-oriented discussions with coaches, former and current players, and administrators,” he said. “This is not about quick fixes but identifying the structural reforms necessary… and strategic short and long-term initiatives required to drive the necessary change.” Day one is focused on “High Performance Strategy and Structural Reform,” with panel discussions on team performance challenges and immediate improvement strategies. Day two will shift to “Player-Centred High-Performance Solutions,” allowing current players and staff to speak candidly about gaps and ambitions. Sammy will lead a session addressing the team’s brand of cricket and short-term difficulties. CWI CEO Chris Dehring stressed the urgency of the move. “This emergency strategic meeting is not simply a reaction but a necessary intervention… We expect deep, transparent conversations… and what we hope to emerge is a serious, organisation-wide commitment to change,” he said, as quoted by ANI. “As administrators, we are determined to support these reforms with the necessary resources, infrastructure and leadership. West Indies cricket deserves no less.” A press briefing will be held at 3 PM on Monday at the Hyatt, broadcast live on the Windies Cricket YouTube channel. The panel will include Dehring, Bascombe, Lloyd and Committee Chair Enoch Lewis, with Bascombe detailing the strategic themes and long-term plans emerging from the discussions. CWI has said the implementation of outcomes from the summit will begin immediately, with progress updates provided as restructuring rolls out across all levels of West Indies cricket.In the recently concluded first ODI between West Indies and Pakistan, the visitors won by 5 wickets on Friday, August 8.
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Earlier in July, Kishore Shallow wrote a heartfelt letter after West Indies were bowled out for 26 against Australia in a 3-0 loss on home soil. The president called an emergency review meeting on the Australia Test series, bringing in legends Sir Clive Lloyd, Sir Vivian Richards, Brian Lara, and other past greats to join the committee’s discussions.
