Revitalising West Indies Cricket in Two Bold Steps
West Indies cricket has long symbolised flair, passion, and raw talent. However, in recent years, inconsistent performances, financial struggles, and a lack of infrastructure have hindered its growth. It is time for bold initiatives to reshape West Indies cricket and revitalise its flagging reputation, and I suggest two key areas for development: venues and tourism.
Venues
To maximise team performance and improve the region’s cricketing infrastructure, CWI should designate a primary stadium for each format and develop it into a specialised venue that caters to the needs of players, coaches, and staff. You might have ideas for suitable venues, but here are my suggestions.
Test Cricket: Kensington Oval, Barbados
Rich in history and tradition, Kensington Oval is the spiritual home of West Indies cricket. It has hosted some of the most iconic Test matches and provides conditions that favour both pace and spin bowling, making it an ideal battleground for the longest format.
Development Plan: Upgrade training facilities, including state-of-the-art indoor nets and fitness centres. Establish a high-performance academy for Test specialists to develop patience and technical skills. Improve spectator experience with better seating, hospitality suites, and fan zones. Enhance pitch and outfield maintenance to ensure consistent playing conditions.
One Day International: Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad & Tobago
Queen’s Park Oval has historically been a fortress for the West Indies in ODIs, offering lively pitches that support exciting contests. It is also one of the most picturesque venues in world cricket, adding to the appeal for fans and broadcasters.
Development Plan: Build specialised training areas focusing on ODI skills such as power-hitting and death bowling. Improve dressing room and recovery facilities to support player performance. Install modern floodlights for better day-night match experiences. Expand seating and hospitality options to accommodate larger crowds.
T20: Sabina Park, Jamaica
T20 cricket thrives in an electric atmosphere, and Sabina Park, with its passionate fans and fast outfield, is the perfect venue for this format. Jamaica has also produced many of the region’s top T20 players, making it a fitting home for the shortest version of the game.
Development Plan: Upgrade the stadium with bigger stands, party zones, and entertainment areas to match the energy of T20 cricket. Build cutting-edge analytics and coaching centres to prepare players for high-intensity matches. Introduce interactive fan experiences like player meet-and-greets and live DJ performances. Improve transport and access to the venue to make it more tourist-friendly.
Tourism
The Caribbean has world-renowned tourist appeal, and it feels like the region’s cricket set-up is missing out by not tapping into that. To make West Indies cricket more financially sustainable and globally attractive, CWI should partner with hotels, airlines, and tourism boards to offer all-inclusive cricket packages. This would allow fans from around the world to experience Caribbean cricket while enjoying the best of the region’s hospitality.
Package Suggestions: ✔ Round-trip airfare with discounted rates for cricket travellers. ✔ Luxury and budget-friendly hotel accommodation near the match venues. ✔ All-inclusive food and drink options featuring Caribbean cuisine and local beverages. ✔ Match tickets with exclusive seating options, VIP access, and meet-the-players events. ✔ Guided tours and excursions showcasing the beauty of each host island.
This would have four key benefits:
Increased Fan Attendance: More international fans will travel to the Caribbean for matches, boosting ticket sales.
Tourism and Economic Growth: Local businesses, restaurants, and transport services will benefit from cricket tourism.
Financial Stability for CWI: Revenue from partnerships with airlines, hotels, and tourism boards will provide long-term funding.
Enhanced Team Morale: A packed stadium with passionate fans can inspire better team performances.
A bold future for West Indies Cricket
By developing specialised venues for Test, ODI, and T20 cricket and launching an all-inclusive fan experience, CWI can create a sustainable model that strengthens both team performance and financial stability. This initiative would not only help the West Indies reclaim their dominance in world cricket but also turn Caribbean cricket into a must-see global attraction.
This all costs money, of course, but if CWI are serious about revitalising West Indies cricket, the time has come to invest. Fail to do so, and it risks being left behind.
Thank you to Kamal Huggins for his article.
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You make some good comments, but I don't think you have gone far enough.
These are some of my own thoughts about strengthening West Indies cricket.
In terms of the Breakout League, I would of added a different dimension to it, rather than doing the same old things (in terms of regions). I would of invited all nations within the Caribbean region to participate (e.g. Cuba, Belize, Domician Republic, Puerto Rico, Cayman Islands, Dutch Caribbean, Suriname, to name a few) for a cost, this competition would be set up in a group format, and also be a talent scouting opportunity. This competition would generate more interest and investment.
The other competition I would introduce is a regional school cricket competition in both the t20 and 4-day formats, with the best schools in Jamaica, Guyana, Barbados, Windward Islands, Leeward Islands and Trinidad and Tobago playing each other for a regional competition. This will improve our competition at a lower age group and develop the student's skills and experiences.
These are just a couple of innovative ideas I would like to see introduced, that I feel will make a difference to Cricket West Indies.
Kamal, just asking, the Antigua Stanford ground could be then used for all the regional List A games or be used as a only 'A' games venue?