The CARICOM Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on Cricket (PMSC), chaired by His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana, has issued a strong call for urgent reform in West Indies cricket. In a statement released today, the PMSC urged the regional governing body, Cricket West Indies (CWI), to undertake a thorough and transparent review of its governance, leadership, management, economic models, and development frameworks.

The statement follows a virtual meeting of the Bureau of the Caribbean Community on Monday, which included incumbent CARICOM Chair, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness of Jamaica; outgoing Chair, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados; and incoming Chair, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew of St. Kitts and Nevis. The leaders gathered to deliberate on a range of regional issues, including the current state of West Indies cricket.

The PMSC emphasized cricket’s profound economic, emotional, developmental, and cultural significance to the people of the Caribbean. The sport, the statement noted, has for generations served as a powerful symbol of Caribbean unity and excellence, enabling the region’s small nations to stand tall on the global stage.

However, the Committee expressed deep concern—echoing the sentiments of many across the Caribbean—about the current state of the game, especially in its traditional long format. The issues identified range from youth development and talent retention to outdated governance structures and the absence of a cohesive long-term strategy.

“The Team’s recent performance is a moment of reckoning for this cherished Caribbean institution,” the statement read. “Every cricket match in which our West Indies Team competes, resonates far beyond the boundary.”

To that end, the PMSC is once again urging Cricket West Indies to take concrete steps based on recommendations from previous major reviews, including the 2007 Patterson Report, the 2015 V. Eudine Barriteau Report, and the 2020 Wehby Report—all of which proposed governance reforms critical to the sport’s revitalization.

In a bold new move, the PMSC also announced the formation of a special committee comprising a diverse group of stakeholders—including former cricket legends, private sector leaders, and members of the academic community. This committee will review the existing high-level reports, synthesize their recommendations, and propose a comprehensive action plan for the future of West Indies cricket.

Cricket West Indies, along with national cricket associations, will be invited to participate in the consultation and review process to ensure a collaborative and inclusive approach to reform.