(Cricket News) Cricket West Indies indicated that the three will still be available for T20I series in the upcoming year, along with the announcement of 14 men’s and 15 women’s contracts.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced in a statement that 14 men’s contracts and 15 women’s contracts were awarded. The men’s list featured four new faces in batters Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, and left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie.
The women’s list included allrounders Zaida James and Sheneta Grimmond for the first time. Former captains Jason Holder and Nicholas Pooran, as well as allrounder Kyle Mayers, have declined West Indies central contracts for 2023–24. Nevertheless, the trio will be available for T20I series throughout the year in Cricket West Indies.
This is not the first time that important players have declined contracts from the West Indies. Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, and Chris Gayle did so as recently as 2010. Trent Boult, the speedster from New Zealand, gave up his central contract in August of last year but still played for his country at the 2023 World Cup.
In October of this year, Ben Stokes declined a three-year contract from England, opting instead to sign for a one-year contract. This is an era where players can find some financial stability by participating in T20 franchise leagues.
Though Pooran has not played Test cricket, he has captained his side in 17 ODIs with 61 caps in the format; Mayers has played 28 ODIs and 18 Tests, most notably hitting a double-hundred on Test debut to lead a weakened West Indies side to a stirring win chasing 395 against Bangladesh in Chattogram.
It is unclear if this means Holder, who captained West Indies in 37 of his 64 Tests and 86 of his 138 ODIs, is done with the longer formats altogether.
Mayers and Pooran were signed by Lucknow Super Giants for the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). Holder, on the other hand, was released by the Rajasthan Royals and will be seeking a new contract at the December 19 auction.
Pooran will have a busy T20 season ahead of him, as he will be playing for Durban Super Giants in the SA20 in January and then traveling to the UAE after being signed by MI Emirates for the ILT20.
In addition, there is the IPL, which comes before the Men’s T20 World Cup in June, which the West Indies and the United States will co-host. According to CWI, the contracts list was created by considering “player performance during the 2022 to 2023 evaluation period” and suggestions from the selection panels.
“We have held several in-depth discussions with the head coaches on the brand of cricket they want to play, 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,” West Indies men’s lead 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.”
In addition, we have two significant away Test series in Australia and England. In the 50-over format, we want to develop a core group of players who will compete in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2027.”
West Indies men’s contracts for 2023-24
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, Romario Shepherd.
Out: Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Nicholas Pooran, Odean Smith, Hayden Walsh Jr.
In: Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Gudakesh Motie.
West Indies women’s contracts for 2023-24
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, Rashada Williams.
See more: West Indies Announce T20I Squad to Face England: Latest Updates.
