In a historic first, nine West Indies cricketers, including six from the men’s team have been handed multi-year international contracts by Cricket West Indies (CWI). The multi-year contracts have been given for the next two years.
ODI vice-captain Alzarri Joseph, pace sensation Shamar Joseph, women’s T20I skipper Hayley Matthews and her deputy Shemaine Campbelle, were awarded multi-year contracts for the next two years, the CWI announced.
However, big names such as Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer and Andre Russell, who featured in the T20 World Cup 2024, are missing from the latest 15-player list of contracted West Indies men’s players.
The Cricket West Indies offered contracts to 15 men’s cricketers and with six among them received multi-year deals based on their performances during the 2023-2024 evaluation period.
The announcement comes amid growing participation of the West Indies cricketers in lucrative franchise leagues across the globe, which has long undermined the stability of the national teams.
The talent drain to global T20 leagues has considerably weakened West Indies’ international squads, prompting the CWI to offer multi-year contracts as a strategy to provide financial security and retain players longer for national duty.
The development follows a four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in January 2024 between CWI and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA).
“CWI has committed to maintaining open and honest dialogue with players and being practical about the realities of the modern game,” CWI director of cricket Miles Bascombe has stated.
“The players have responded in kind and the acceptance of multi-year contracts is an indication of clarity, confidence, and commitment on both sides.
“I’d like to congratulate the entire contracted cohort on their performances in the last assessment period and I look forward to them building on those in the next one.” The WI men’s contracted pool of international players is relatively stable, with only two changes in the 15-member group.
Kavem Hodge, who made his Test debut this year against Australia, received his first-ever international contract, along with Roston Chase.
Hodge played a pivotal role in Windies’ first Test win in Australia in 28 years in Brisbane and then followed that up with a maiden Test century against England at Trent Bridge. He was also the leading run-scorer in the series for the West Indies.
Chase averaged 60.25 with the bat for the year in T20Is at a strike rate of 141.76 in eight innings where he notched 241 runs. He also bagged 12 wickets in the format with an economy rate of 6.43. The experienced all-rounder also averaged 32.85 with the bat in eight ODIs for the last 12 months.
Tagenerine Chanderpaul, son of legendary former captain Shivnarine, will take up a franchise retainer contract with the Guyana Harpy Eagles for the upcoming year whilst Kemar Roach is in discussions regarding a new dual playing and mentorship/coaching role as he begins to plan for the next stage of his career.
West Indies men’s player with multi-year international contract: Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie and Jayden Seales.
West Indies men’s players with one-year contract: Alick Athanaze, Kraigg Brathwaite, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva, Kavem Hodge, Akeal Hosein, Romario Shepherd, Rovman Powell.
West Indies women’s player with multi-year international contract: Shemaine Campbelle, Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor.
West Indies women’s player with multi-year international contract: Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Ashmini Munisar,, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack and Rashada Williams.
