CWI invite legends for emergency meetings following West Indies’ embarrassing 27 all out against Australia.
CWI calls for emergency meeting with legends after ‘deeply hurting’ loss.
Three former players, Brian Lara, Clive Lloyd, and Viv Richards, have been invited by Cricket West Indies (CWI) to attend an urgent meeting in the wake of the West Indies’ 3-0 series defeat at home to Australia. In order to assess the team’s “deeply disappointing” performances over the last few weeks, the West Indies greats will join Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Desmond Haynes, and Ian Bradshaw on the Cricket Strategy and Officiating Committee.
Although the West Indies also lost badly in the first two Test matches, they kept the worst humiliation for last, losing to 27 in 14.3 overs in Kingston.
The tally fell 20 runs shy of the previous worst total of 47 for the West Indies, however it was just one run over the Test record low of 26 set by New Zealand in 1955. The six runs scored by the top six batsmen in the West Indies was the fewest in any Test innings, and it was the first time a team had seven ducks in one innings.
The West Indies cricket fraternity will have a number of “sleepless nights” after the defeats, according to Dr. Kishore Shallow, president of CWI. However, he urged patience as they attempt to “rebuild and start investing in the next generation.”
“Like every West Indian cricket fan, I felt the pain of our recent Test defeat to Australia,” he said. “There will be some sleepless nights ahead for many of us, including the players, who I know feel this loss just as heavily. But while disappointment is natural, we must not allow this moment to define our journey. We are in a rebuilding phase, steadily investing in the next generation, and reigniting the spirit that has long made West Indies cricket a force in the world.
“Progress is rarely straightforward. It takes time, perseverance, and belief, especially in our most difficult moments. The road ahead will test us, but I have faith in the talent and commitment of our players when they apply themselves. We have already seen encouraging signs, particularly with the ball. Our batters are keen, but now must be even more deliberate as they work to improve.”
Shallow said the involvement of Lara, Richards and Lloyd wasn’t purely “ceremonial”, and that they would be actively involved in West Indies’ “next phase of cricket development”.
“These are men who helped define our golden eras, and their perspectives will be invaluable. We intend for this gathering to result in tangible, actionable recommendations.
“Consistent with my message over the last weeks, this is a moment that calls for collaboration, not division. We need everyone on board: fans, players, coaches, legends, and administrators, if we are to truly move forward. There is much work to be done. But we must do it with purpose, and we must do it together.”