West Indies cricket 'will cease to exist, if...' - Report

Two-time T20 World Cup winner, West Indies' cricket future is in peril, according to a Cricket West Indies commissioned review.

The board appointed a 3-member panel consisting of former cricketers Brian Lara, Mickey Arthur, and a senior judge Patrick Thomson to probe the Windies' early exit from last year's T20 World Cup.

The report of the review group which was made public on Thursday pointed out that West Indies cricket will cease to exist if players represent the nation on an optional basis and instead take part in lucrative T20 leagues across the world.

Nicholas Pooran-led side began their campaign Down Under with losses to Scotland and Ireland. This was their 2nd poor performance on the World stage 2021 T20 WC.

The review group highlighted how the players who had appreciable performances in franchise T20 leagues were constantly not making themselves available for the national team selection. Andre Russell and Sunil Narine did not make themselves available for the T20 World Cup. Shimron Hetmyer's absence, the review report noted 'was a significant loss to the batting unit'

'In this group's view there is significant distrust between the players and administration and this distrust is inimical to ensuring that the best 11 players turn out for the Windies team in every match', the report said.

The report that laid out a strategic short-term goal also suggested the board shortlist a pool of players for each format which would help them in the next edition of the T20 World Cup in 2024.