As the contract was announced by the West Indies Cricket Board for both men and women, three big names of the men’s team opted not to engage with the central contract. Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers and Nicholas Pooran were the players who were not part of it.
However they will continue playing for the team in the T20 format in 2023-24. Due to their busy schedule in the various league franchises they have taken this decision. Holder played his last Test against South Africa on 8th March 2023 while his last ODI match was against USA on 18th June 2023.
Pooran played his last ODI match against USA on 18th June 2023 whereas he didn’t play a single Test match for his team. Kyle Mayers played his last Test match against South Africa on 8th March 2023 and his last ODI was against India on 29th July 2023.
Some new names were added in the contract – Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Gudakesh Motie. Whereas in the women’s department Zaida James and Sheneta Grimmond were new faces in the contract.
Recently the addition of Andre Russell in the squad, boosted their lineup but he was also not included in the contract. He might also be seen in the T20 World Cup which will be hosted by the Caribbean and the USA.
West Indies Men’s chief selector, Desmond Haynes said, “With a busy year of cricket ahead, in all three formats, we have held several detailed discussions with the head coaches on the brand of cricket they want to play. We are very clear on 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.
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.”
While West Indies Women’s chief selector, Ann Browne-John, said, “The selectors have identified a cadre of players who we believe can drive West Indies cricket fornward. We have emphasized the development of the younger players, which we view as pivotal in the pathway to the international level. We have several high profile bi-lateral series and major global events on the horizon and with this in mind, we want to have our players prepared and ready for every occasion.”
West Indies Contracted players:
Men-
Alick Athanaze, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shai Hope, Joshua de Silva, Keacy Carty, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Brandon King, Rovman Powell, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Jayden Seales, Kemar Roach.
Women-
Aaliyah Alleyne, Shermaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Jannillea Glasgow, Sheneta Grimmond, Karishma Ramharack, Mandy Mangru, Rashada Williams, Chenille Henry, Stefanie Taylor, Zaida James, Hayley Mattews.