Letter of the Day | West Indies cricket is in crisis

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Several weeks ago, I authored an editorial titled ‘Deep-rooted issues in WI cricket need to be addressed’ ( The Gleaner, May 5, 2025). In it, I highlighted long-standing structural deficiencies that have contributed to the steady decline of West Indies cricket that spans over three decades. That piece was published shortly after a wave of leadership changes at Cricket West Indies (CWI), which many hoped would spark genuine reform. Today, those hopes felt more distant than ever.

The West Indies were dismissed on Monday for a paltry 27 runs at Sabina Park, a scoreline that is embarrassing and historically grim. And while Australia’s quality is undeniable, what played out on the field was less about their brilliance and more about our own collapse, both technical and mental. Watching batters repeatedly misjudge straight deliveries, leave balls on the stumps, and walk off seemingly resigned to failure raises serious questions about our preparation, approach, and leadership.

The loss capped off a 3-0 series whitewash and further cemented a painful truth: we are no longer merely underperforming. We are in a crisis.

I am not asking a team that has struggled for over 30 years to suddenly start beating the world’s best sides overnight. What we can and should expect, however, is clear, measurable progress. ‘Progress’ in this context means being competitive. It means pushing matches into the final sessions. It means losing with fight, not folding within two days of a Test. If we cannot consistently compete, even when we lose, then we are not improving.

Much of the messaging from the current administration has centred on the need for ‘time’. That is understandable; any rebuilding effort takes patience. But what is troubling is the lack of visible direction. Time alone, without strategy or accountability, is not a plan. It’s a delay.

To be fair, there have been glimpses of promise, particularly from our bowlers. But cricket is a two-sided sport. The other area that demands urgent scrutiny is coaching and leadership. The selection of a head coach to oversee all formats is a decision of enormous consequence. Yet the process behind this appointment remains unclear. What is his coaching pedigree? Has he guided any team through a similar rebuild? Playing experience is important, but it is not synonymous with coaching credibility. At this stage, the fear is no longer that we have hit rock bottom, but that we may still be on the way down. Cricket West Indies must now treat this moment with the seriousness it demands.

JOHNOY J. DAVIS

Atlanta, Georgia