With decades of struggles in West Indies cricket, Sports Minister Olivia Grange and former national batsman Mark Neita say grass-roots development will be key in the regional side’s resurgence on the world stage.

The level of scrutiny on the West Indies team intensified this month after their 3-0 Test series defeat to Australia. It was compounded by their 176-run defeat at Sabina Park last week when the Caribbean men were bowled out for 27 in their second innings, the second lowest total in Test cricket history.

Since that defeat, there have been calls for a complete overhaul to Cricket West Indies (CWI), to return to the success that the teams of the 1970s and 1980s brought.

Grange told the Jamaica Observer the Government will do its part by investing more in youth cricket.

“Yes, we’re disappointed with the performance of the players but sometimes you win, sometimes you lose,” she said. “It doesn’t discourage us from continuing to invest in the sport.

“We are investing in the development of youth in cricket who are the next generation. We’re hoping that investment will put us in a stronger position for having excellent players in the future. So we’re focusing on building on the young talent we have so we can restore our dignity as cricketers.”

Former national player Neita, who also serves as president of the Melbourne Cricket Club, says a greater focus on youth development could produce better players, particularly batsmen, for international cricket.

“I think the minister hit the nail on the head and I think that’s why you see players now who just don’t have the technical proficiency at this level. The fact of the matter is you can’t teach technique when people get to this stage, you need to be teaching technique in the formative years. When they start at high school, when they matriculate into the club system,” he told the Observer.

“We need to have a proper structure and coaching at that level that when they move on to play for Jamaica [and the West Indies], it’s not a technical issue. It’s either they have the temperament and the skill to perform at that level but certainly not lacking in the basic fundamentals of cricket.”

Neita, though, says Grange and CWI need to pump more resources into youth cricket to see substantial change.

“I just hope the minister, having said that, understands that it takes a lot of money to do these things,” he said. “At Melbourne, we struggle — we’re one of the top clubs in Jamaica, possibly the region, but for us to have a full-time coach, teaching these kids takes a lot of money. We’re fortunate enough that we can manage to do that now but for how long can we do this?

“It’s going to take a concerted effort from the Government and CWI to understand that it isn’t good enough to be pouring money into the top level — meaning paying the players, and all of that. I’m not against paying the players, but the money needs to filter down to the club structure and school structure so we can have development programmes so these players will be equipped and ready for the professional level to play for the West Indies.”

Grange announced in 2023 that the Government would invest $100 million over three years in youth cricket after choosing not to bid to host the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in Jamaica. She said in February that $40 million of this investment would be rolled out this year.

GRANGE… we’re focusing on building on the young talent we have so we can restore our dignity as cricketers.

West Indies’ Mikyle Louis walks after being bowled lbw for 4 by Australia’s Mitchell Starc at Sabina Park in Kingston on Monday, July 14, while Starc (second left) and his teammates celebrate on day three of the final Test in the three-game series. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

NEITA… the money needs to filter down to the club structure and school structure so we can have development programmes so these players will be equipped and ready for the professional level to play for the West Indies.

Jomel Warrican of West Indies is bowled by unseen Scott Boland of Australia during the third day of their third Test cricket match at Sabina Park in Kingston on Monday, July 14. (Photo: AFP)