Cricket West Indies has shuffled its deck for the coming year, confirming 15 men’s and 13 women’s central contracts that begin on 1 October 2025. The headline is the omission of former Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite, wicketkeeper-batter Joshua Da Silva and all-rounder Kavem Hodge. Their places go to Justin Greaves, Sherfane Rutherford and left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican.
Among the women, new-ball pair Jannillea Glasgow and Shawnisha Hector graduate to full retainers, while Shamilia Connell, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Chedean Nation and Rashada Williams drop off the list. The core, led by Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor, remains untouched.
Director of cricket Miles Bascombe explained the thinking. “The retainers reflect current performance and long-term potential, while keeping a close eye on our broader strategy of building towards major global tournaments,” he said. “These decisions align with the pathways we’ve designed for West Indies cricket’s long-term success.”
Short-term form has clearly weighed heavily. Brathwaite’s lean year at the top of the Test order, Da Silva’s patchy returns and Hodge’s stop-start run of opportunities all counted against them. Greaves forced the selectors’ hands by averaging 57 in the four-day championship, Rutherford’s power-hitting lit up the CPL, and Warrican’s left-arm spin gives balance in Asia.
Starter (development) contracts have been offered to teenage keeper-batter Jewel Andrew, quick Jediah Blades and seamer Johann Layne. On the women’s side, all-rounder Jahzara Claxton and spinner Realeanna Grimmond pick up similar deals. A further 29 academy contracts are split across the men’s and women’s programmes.
The board hopes the structure can halt an all-too-familiar slide. The women missed out on this year’s ODI World Cup, a bruising experience softened only slightly by T20I success in South Africa. The men were whitewashed by Australia at home – the infamous 27 all out in Trinidad still stings – before a 2-1 T20I loss in Nepal added to a frustrating tour cycle. A 2-1 ODI victory over Pakistan offered a glimpse of progress, but consistency remains elusive.
Alzarri Joseph, Shai Hope and rising quick Shamar Joseph keep their top-tier status, as do off-spinner Gudakesh Motie and all-rounder Rovman Powell. For the women, Matthews, Taylor, Deandra Dottin and Shemaine Campbelle anchor the list.
The full retainers:
Men – Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Jomel Warrican.
Women – Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Jannillea Glasgow, Shawnisha Hector, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Hayley Matthews, Ashmini Munisar, Stafanie Taylor, Karishma Ramharack.
Whether the reshuffle sparks the revival both teams crave will become clear soon enough. For now, the message is simple: perform, or make way for those who do.
