PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Former West Indies cricketer Ricardo Powell has voiced strong opposition to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) potential decision to demote the West Indies cricket team, arguing that such a move would harm both the players and the game in the region.

The Jamaican, known for his explosive batting during his playing days, believes the West Indies still possess the talent to compete at the highest level but warns that systemic issues within Caribbean cricket must be addressed to ensure the best players are available for selection.

Speaking with host Andre Errol Baptiste on Face of Sports TV Show on WESN TV on Thursday, Powell expressed his concerns about the ICC’s rumoured decision, suggesting it would be financially motivated rather than based on the team’s potential.

“I don’t think West Indies should be demoted. I think it will definitely put a damper on the spirit of the players and also the region. I still think that West Indies have the talent necessary to compete at the highest level against all these teams — it’s just a matter of how much opportunity they are getting to play the better teams and how often.”

He also highlighted a recurring issue within West Indies cricket, which is the failure to consistently field the best available players.

“West Indies cricket has fluctuated over the years simply because West Indies have just never allowed the better players to play for the West Indies for some reason or another, and that thinking is something that, to me, needs to be changed. If it is that we have the best players, we need to put things in place to make sure that the best players are available for whatever format.”

The former cricketer, who now runs a cricket academy in the United States, called for greater collaboration between Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the region’s top players, emphasising the need for a more inclusive and strategic approach to team selection. He believes that with the right systems in place the West Indies can return to their former glory on the international stage.

Powell also threw his support behind the newly appointed all-format coach and sole selector Daren Sammy, urging fans and stakeholders to give the former West Indies captain time to implement his vision.

“I think people of the West Indies are always, I would say, afraid of change, but they’re always very sceptical of changes. For me, I’m always one not to judge immediately, and I always like to see. As the great Ted Lasso would say, ‘Be curious, not judgmental.’ ”

He encouraged the region to rally behind Sammy, who has taken on the dual role of coach and selector, and to allow the process to unfold before passing judgment.

“It is something that I would want to just have a look at and see how this unfolds, and see how it brings changes to West Indies cricket and how we can make it better. I think it is worth giving a shot to see exactly what happens.”