West Indies selectors name Kieron Pollard as white-ball skipper

This follows a comprehensive review by CWI’s Selection Task Force into the selection process and system for all West Indies cricket, with all the recommendations approved by the CWI Board of Directors at the quarterly meeting, held for the first time in Tobago on September 7 and 8.

The Selection Task Force’s four- month review benchmarked cricket selection systems around the world and incorporated feedback and contributions from current and former players, coaches, administrators, franchise CEOs and nearly 2,700 fans across the Caribbean.

As a result, CWI announced that they will be advertising the Men’s Head Coach role with immediate effect inviting applications before the September 20 with the aim of having a permanent Head Coach in place for the forthcoming away tour against Afghanistan.

The new CWI selection system will introduce new team-specific selection panels for the West Indies men’s and women’s and Youth teams.

This will comprise an Executive Selector (lead selector), a selector and head coach.

These full-time selectors will be supported by a selection analyst to provide performance data to support selection considerations plus a minimum of three scouts to ensure cricketers throughout the region are closely watched and evaluated.

A modernised, transparent selection policy will see players selected against six criteria: form and performance, fitness (based on a new approved fitness and conditioning policy), team balance, mental capacity, technical ability and commitment. The playing XIs will then be selected by the Executive Selector, Head Coach and Captain.

The Selection Task Force also recommended the immediate introduction of “red ball”and “white ball” captains to support a long-term strategy to focus on the different formats of international cricket.

Kieron Pollard is being appointed “white ball” captain for both the ODI and T20I teams with Jason Holder continuing as “red ball” captain for the Test team as CWI seeks to see an improvement in performances and therefore ICC World Rankings as part of the long-term development strategy. 

On his appointment as West Indies white ball Captain, Kieron Pollard said, “I’m truly honoured to be appointed Captain of the West Indies and I would like to thank Cricket West Indies’ Board of Directors for placing their faith and confidence in me. I can’t wait to work with the coaching staff and players as we start building to2wards future World Cups and give the fans more reasons to get behind the team.”