Special committee to be set up following West Indies' dismal performances

The CARICOM Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on Cricket (PMSC) is to establish a special committee of diverse stakeholders to address what it describes as a "moment of reckoning" following the West Indies Cricket team's recent dismal performances.

The move comes even as it urges Cricket West Indies to undertake a thorough and transparent review of its governance, leadership, management, economic models, and development frameworks.

A humiliating 27-run second innings at Sabina Park in Kingston against Australia recently is among the perils of the team, which fans and stakeholders believe extend beyond the players' performances into outdated governance and a resistance to reform. This has caused a steady erosion in the team, some pundits have argued.

Thursday morning, the PMSC had a similar take, noting that it is deeply concerned about all aspects of the current state of the game in the region, particularly over the long term, including youth development, talent retention, governance arrangements and strategy.

It notes that cricket is of economic, emotional, developmental, and cultural importance to the region and has for decades been a platform on which the region's small developing states have collectively stood on the world stage. It is very much a public good, the PMSC affirmed.

"The PMSC believes that the team's recent performance is a moment of reckoning for the cherished Caribbean institution. Every cricket match in which our West Indies team competes resonates far beyond the boundary," said the committee, extending unwavering interest in strengthening and planning the future of the West Indies cricket team.

In its release, the PMSC cited three reports that have been prepared over the years, noting that "We are troubled by a lack of real progress on the implementation of these recommendations... We will, with this committee, review the multiple high-level reports on West Indies Cricket, synthesise the various recommendations that they contain and propose an action plan."

"Cricket West Indies and the National Cricket Associations will be invited to be part of the consultation and review process," said the PMSC, which comprises Prime Ministers Andrew Holness of Jamaica, Mia Mottley of Barbados, and Terrence Drew, Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis.

Their decision followed a virtual meeting on Monday.

- Corey Robinson

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