Cricket West Indies (CWI) has asked Brian Lara, Clive Lloyd and Viv Richards to attend an urgent strategy meeting in the wake of the 3–0 home series loss to Australia. The trio will sit alongside Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Desmond Haynes and Ian Bradshaw on the board’s Cricket Strategy and Officiating Committee, tasked with dissecting what CWI president Dr Kishore Shallow called a “deeply disappointing” fortnight.
The trigger for the review was the third Test in Kingston, where West Indies were skittled for 27 in 14.3 overs—just one run clear of New Zealand’s 1955 record low, and 20 short of their own previous nadir. Seven ducks appeared on the scorecard, a first in Test history; the top six combined for six runs, also an unwanted record.
Shallow did not disguise the scale of the setback. “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.”
The president urged supporters to stay patient. “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.”
Inviting Lara, Richards and Lloyd is more than a public-relations gesture, Shallow insisted. “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.”
Analysis
Having legends in the room may provide hard-earned experience, yet the immediate issues sit with technique and temperament. The bowling group created chances throughout the series—Kemar Roach’s new-ball bursts and Alzarri Joseph’s pace were notable—so workload management and skill refinement look manageable. Batting, though, remains a puzzle. The line-up cycled through five openers in three Tests, none passing fifty, while shot selection under pressure has grown increasingly frantic.
Selectors are expected to weigh specialist red-ball contracts for emerging players; names such as Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kevlon Anderson have been mentioned privately. Coaching staff, too, face review, with whispers of split roles to mirror Australia’s and England’s set-ups.
Short-term, attention switches to white-ball cricket. A five-match T20I series against Australia starts on 21 July, followed by Pakistan’s visit in August. That schedule offers little room for introspection, yet the format change could ease some mental baggage. A handful of players—especially Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell—will try to translate recent franchise form into national runs, keeping one eye on next year’s T20 World Cup.
For now, the Kingston collapse stands as both statistic and symbol. None inside West Indies cricket denies the hurt; the question is whether the combined wisdom of Lara, Lloyd, Richards and a new-look committee can convert that pain into genuine progress.
