By Eboni Brandon
West Indies cricket is in turmoil after its second-lowest Test score ever—being bowled out for just 27—triggered urgent demands for accountability and structural overhaul. At the centre of the storm is Cricket West Indies (CWI) President Dr. Kishore Shallow, whose leadership is now under intense scrutiny from cricketing legends and regional leaders alike.
Former fast bowler Sir Andy Roberts, speaking following the humiliating defeat, called for the resignation of Dr. Shallow, Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe, and head coach Daren Sammy. Roberts criticised the alarming concentration of power in CWI and warned that “odd meetings” will not address deep-rooted issues, pointing to a need for comprehensive youth development and proper coaching frameworks.
Brian Lara, another towering figure in West Indies cricket, also issued sharp criticism, attributing team decline to weakened domestic structures and the lure of lucrative global T20 leagues. Lara lamented that the board has failed to cultivate player loyalty and urged a return to strong regional first-class competitions, which once served as the backbone of West Indies cricket.
CWI has responded by convening an emergency Cricket Strategy Committee, inviting legends Sir Clive Lloyd, Sir Viv Richards, and Lara to participate alongside former greats Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Desmond Haynes. According to Reuters, this engagement aims to drive actionable reforms rather than symbolic gestures.
CARICOM and its political allies have also intensified pressure. Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, has called for full accountability, while Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, has demanded the resignation of the entire CWI board and a forensic audit into the organisation’s operations. Dr. Gonsalves also strongly criticised President Kishore Shallow’s description of the SVG Emancipation Cricket Festival as a “circus,” labelling him “immature and unfit” for leadership.
Regional editorials, such as The Gleaner, have questioned the sincerity of Shallow’s promises of rebuilding, citing over 30 years of unmet commitments to reform and transparency. The paper highlighted ignored recommendations, including the establishment of a consultative Stakeholders Council and reduction of board politicisation.
Underlying structural failures are evident: a fractured island-based administrative system, crumbling first-class infrastructure, and players drawn away by overseas franchise cricket. As lively conversation across several social media platforms have noted, the West Indies’ decline isn’t due to a lack of talent, but due to a fragmented domestic system and lack of player incentives at national level.
Clive Lloyd emphasised the urgency of the moment, stating that West Indies cricket is an institutional legacy that requires preservation through bold, decisive action in rebuilding its foundations.
With fans, politicians, and cricketing icons aligned in their demand for change, CWI stands at a crossroads. Will the invitation extended to Lloyd, Richards, and Lara yield meaningful reform—and will Dr. Shallow heed calls for leadership change? For now, West Indies cricket confronts one of its most pivotal moments.
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