Barbados cricket enters new era with pay for three-day players

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

In a landmark move for domestic cricket in the region, the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) has confirmed that elite-level cricketers participating in the upcoming three-day competition will receive payment for their services.

The revelation was made by Wendell Coppin, the manager of cricket operations at the BCA, during an appearance on the popular “Mason and Guest” radio talk show in Barbados.

Coppin outlined the association’s plans to professionalise the longest format of the domestic game, signalling a significant shift in how players are compensated.

“We are looking at paying players at the elite level, only elite and only the three-day competition,” Coppin stated on air.

He clarified that the remuneration would be strictly targeted, focusing on the highest tier of performers in the multi-day format, which is set to bowl off on April 4, 2026.

While the announcement has been met with widespread approval from the cricketing fraternity, Coppin stressed that the BCA is still finalising the financial structure. He noted that the board is diligently working through the logistics to ensure a sustainable and fair model.

“The board is still looking around all the parameters as to how that would work with prize money and the obligations to the teams, clubs and players, as well as our obligations,” Coppin explained.

The comments suggest a complex balancing act for the BCA, which must navigate its commitments to individual players, the clubs that develop them, and the overall financial health of the association.

This move is widely seen as an effort to elevate the standard of the three-day game, traditionally considered the bedrock of cricketing development.

By offering direct payment, the BCA aims to incentivise performance, allow players to focus more intently on the craft, and potentially slow the exodus of talent to other leagues or professions.

Coppin also took the opportunity to outline the remainder of the domestic calendar. Following the conclusion of the three-day competition, attention will shift to the limited-overs formats.

The 50-over and Shield competition is scheduled to commence on April 19, 2026. Later in the year, the popular T20 tournament is set to provide fireworks, with a planned start in September.