ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — Cricket West Indies (CWI) President Dr Kishore Shallow has called an emergency meeting to address critical challenges facing West Indies cricket and implement immediate structural reforms.

The two-day meeting will be held today and tomorrow at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, as the team is now in that country preparing for its second One-Day International against Pakistan at 8:30 am Jamaica time. The meeting will bring together the Cricket Strategy & Officiating Committee along with former West Indies players Dr Desmond Haynes, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ian Bradshaw, as well as special invitees Sir Clive Lloyd and Sir Vivian Richards.

West Indies Head Coach Daren Sammy, along with senior men’s players and coaching staff, will also be in attendance.

CWI’s Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe described the meeting as a “turning point” for West Indies cricket.

“This summit represents a critical turning point for West Indies cricket,” he says. “We hope to engage in frank, honest and solutions-oriented discussions with coaches, former and current players, and administrators.

“What we hope will emerge is a unified vision and a clearly defined, comprehensive framework designed to correct systemic inadequacies and close the performance gap at the elite level.

“This is not about quick fixes but [rather] identifying the structural reforms necessary across our development and high-performance systems, and strategic short- and long-term initiatives required to drive the necessary change.”

The first day of talks will focus on High Performance Strategy and Structural Reform. Wide-ranging panel discussions will examine current team performance challenges and identify immediate improvement strategies.

The focus on day-two will shift to Player-Centered High-Performance Solutions, with direct input from current senior players and coaching staff about performance gaps and team ambitions.

Sammy will lead a coaching staff feedback session to address the team’s brand of cricket as well as any immediate difficulties, while players will be able to speak candidly about their experiences.

This meeting is CWI’s response to ongoing performance concerns to ensure swift action on critical areas identified during the two-day strategic review.

Implementation of the meeting’s outcomes is expected to begin immediately, and progress updates will be provided as restructuring is deployed across all levels of West Indies cricket.

CWI’s Chief Executive Officer Chris Dehring also highlighted the significance of the think tank.

“This emergency strategic meeting is not simply a reaction but a necessary intervention,” he says. “The performance of our senior men’s team has raised legitimate concerns among our fans, stakeholders and partners and we could not afford to continue with business as usual.

“We expect deep, transparent conversations with the people closest to the action such as our players, coaches and selectors, and what we hope to emerge is a serious, organisation-wide commitment to change.

“As administrators we are determined to support these reforms with the necessary resources, infrastructure and leadership. West Indies cricket deserves no less.”

BASCOMBE…this is not about quick fixes but [rather] identifying the structural reforms necessary across our development and high-performance systems, and strategic short- and long-term initiatives required to drive the necessary change

DEHRING…the performance of our senior men’s team has raised legitimate concerns among our fans, stakeholders and partners and we could not afford to continue with business as usual