Cricket West Indies awards multi-year contracts to top players

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has introduced multi-year contracts for its leading cricketers, both men and women, marking a significant shift in how the board handles player commitments. Among those receiving these contracts are men’s ODI captain Shai Hope and women’s white-ball captain Hayley Matthews. This development follows the signing of a new four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in January 2024 between CWI and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA).

The newly awarded contracts, effective from October 1, 2024, will span varying durations. Players with one-year contracts will remain contracted until September 30, 2025, while those awarded multi-year contracts will have them extended until September 30, 2026. A total of 15 men’s players have secured central contracts, with six earning two-year deals, while several top women cricketers have also been awarded multi-year contracts.

Among the men’s team, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, and Jayden Seales join Shai Hope on the list of those with two-year contracts. For the women’s team, star players Stafanie Taylor and Shemaine Campbelle are alongside Matthews on the multi-year list, underscoring their critical roles in West Indies cricket.

Miles Bascombe, CWI's director of cricket, expressed optimism about the future of West Indies cricket with this step, saying, "CWI has committed to maintaining open and honest dialogue with players, and being practical about the realities of the modern game."

"The players have responded in kind, and the acceptance of multi-year contracts is an indication of clarity, confidence and commitment on both sides. I'd like to congratulate the entire contracted cohort on their performances in the last assessment period, and I look forward to them building on those in next one."

Notably absent from the list is senior fast bowler Kemar Roach, who is currently in discussions about transitioning to a dual role combining playing and mentoring as he nears the end of his career. Meanwhile, batter Kavem Hodge earned his first-ever central contract following a pivotal performance in West Indies’ first Test victory in Australia in nearly three decades, scoring 71 runs in the first innings. Hodge also recorded his maiden Test century against England earlier this year at Trent Bridge.

Roston Chase also made his way back onto the contracts list following his key performances in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where West Indies made it to the Super Eight. However, Tagenarine Chanderpaul missed out on a central contract and will take up a franchise retainer contract with the Guyana Harpy Eagles.

Among the women’s team, young allrounder Ashmini Munisar secured her first West Indies contract, marking her rise within the ranks of Caribbean cricket.

WI men's contracts:

Two-year deals: Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie and Jayden Seales
One-year deals: Alick Athanaze, Kraigg Brathwaite, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva, Kavem Hodge, Akeal Hosein, Romario Shepherd and Rovman Powell

WI women's contracts:

Two-year deals: Shemaine Campbelle, Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor
One-year deals: Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Rashada Williams and Ashmini