- By Manik Sharma
- Sun, 10 Dec 2023 10:25 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Not too long ago, West Indies faced a historic setback as they failed to qualify for the Cricket World Cup for the first time, suffering a humbling defeat to Scotland in the World Cup Qualifiers. The recent decision by senior players to decline central contracts raises concerns, especially with the home T20I World Cup looming on the horizon in 2024.
West Indies recently revealed their latest Central Contract list for both Men's and Women's sides for the upcoming 2023-24 season, eyeing rebuilding Windies cricket ahead of major tournaments. The contracts have been awarded based on player performances during the evaluation period from 2022 to 2023.
Some key West Indies veterans, including Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers, and Nicholas Pooran, declined the offer of central contracts. However, they confirmed their availability for all West Indies T20 Internationals during the contract year, keeping the possibility of being included in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad open.
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Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, right-handed batter Keacy Carty, and left-handed batters Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze have been granted central contracts for the first time on the Men's list. On the Women's list, all-rounders Zaida James and Sheneta Grimmond are the newcomers.
West Indies Men’s Lead Selector, Desmond Haynes, highlighted the team's focus on the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which they will co-host with the USA.
“With a busy year of cricket ahead, in all three formats, we have held several detailed discussions with the two Head Coaches on the brand of cricket they want to play. We are very clear in the direction we want to go,” ICC quoted Haynes as saying.
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“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,” he added.
Meanwhile, West Indies Women’s Lead Selector, Ann Browne-John, stressed the importance of identifying and nurturing young talent to propel West Indies cricket forward.
The Central Contract lists include prominent names such as Kraigg Brathwaite, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Stafanie Taylor, and Hayley Matthews. The selectors aim to prepare and ready the players for the upcoming challenges, emphasizing the development of younger talents as a crucial part of the pathway to international success.
List of players:
West Indies Men: Alick Athanaze, Kraigg Brathwaite, Keacy Carty, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, and Romario Shepherd.
West Indies Women: Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Jannillea Glasgow, Sheneta Grimmond, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Mandy Mangru, Hayley Matthews, Karishma Ramharack, Stafanie Taylor, and Rashada Williams.