(Saint Lucia Daily Post – June 1, 2025) — Cricket West Indies (CWI) has rolled out a sweeping series of reforms recently, designed to modernize its operations, implement data-driven decision-making, and align West Indies Cricket with international best practices. However, the rollout has stirred debate across the Caribbean, with critics questioning the rationale and effectiveness of the new processes—many without full understanding of the strategic direction.
The reforms come after years of expert reviews and consultancy reports, many of which had previously gone unheeded. Now, CWI has begun implementing long-recommended changes, most notably in how decisions such as player selection are made. Moving away from subjective “eye test” assessments by a small selection panel, CWI has introduced systems that rely on rigorous data analysis and structured evaluation criteria. These changes are part of a broader overhaul that includes constitutional amendments, the restructuring of selection and governance committees, implementation of formal performance management systems, and the adoption of digital tools to streamline cricket operations and improve accountability and transparency.
Despite the modernization, segments of the public remain skeptical. Some question whether the new systems will be effective or are too complex, while others point to a lack of clarity in how the changes have been communicated. The confusion has sparked broader questions about the adequacy of CWI’s public outreach and engagement strategy.
Speaking with Elijah Williams on Vybe Radio’s popular morning talk show—“The Banter” in Saint Lucia on Thursday morning (May 29, 2025), Cricket West Indies CEO Chris Dehring when quizzed on the effectiveness of CWI’s communication, responded:
“Communication is definitely one of the great challenges of the Caribbean that goes even beyond cricket as a sport. But the fact that we don’t have a single media outlet that covers the entire region for instance, is always going to be a challenge and therefore it is a two-way street. We know that Cricket West Indies has to improve its own communication, but at the same time, you know, we also expect media houses, media personnel, commentators, journalists to reach out directly to Cricket West Indies, to myself, other team members to get clarification if there’s any confusion.”
He also referenced a personal experience from the 2007 Cricket World Cup to highlight longstanding media gaps:
“I recall for Cricket World Cup in 2007, you know, we had journalists writing articles day after day and there was one particular journalist who I confronted and said look, for 10 years that I pulled together this Cricket World Cup, you did not ask me a single question. I never got a single phone call from you asking for any clarification, any updates as to where we were with the development of our stadia, the operations etcetera for Cricket World Cup. Yet you wrote copious journal articles and copious notes and made many comments on television and radio. Yet you never asked me a single question for 10 years. And therefore, you know, you then question whether or not as a journalist, you’re actually trying to seek the truth, trying to write a balanced article, or you simply just want to criticize for sensationalism sake. And that can’t be, you know, healthy for West Indies Cricket.”
The CWI chief’s comments underscore a deeper issue facing Caribbean institutions: the need for a stronger, more collaborative relationship between media and public organizations. While the reforms represent a significant step forward for West Indies cricket, the challenge ahead lies not only in implementation—but in ensuring that the public understands and trusts the transformation taking place.
