Prominent white-ball players Nicholas Pooran, Jason Holder, and Kyle Mayers have chosen not to accept central contracts for the West Indies roster during the 2023-24 season.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) revealed in a recent media release that the three had declined central contracts but expressed their availability to play T20 Internationals (T20Is) for the West Indies throughout the next season. With their decision, Pooran, Holder, and Mayers join an increasing number of cricket players who have chosen to avoid the nation’s central contract system. The three players have pledged to play T20 cricket for the West Indies even though their names are not on the central contract list.
“We are very clear in the direction we want to go,” said WI men’s cricket chief selector Desmond Haynes, offering insight into the team’s direction. We plan to field a number of the players who have been awarded contracts as we work to position ourselves to contend for first place when we host and participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 on home soil.”
Haynes emphasised the significance of upcoming assignments, including away Test series in Australia and England. Additionally, the focus is on building a cohesive group of players for the 50-over format, with an eye on the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
Former captain Jason Holder’s last appearance for the West Indies dates back to July, participating in Tests and T20Is against India at home and ODIs against Scotland during the ICC World Cup qualifiers in Harare.
Nicholas Pooran, another former captain in white-ball formats, played his last T20I against India in August, while Kyle Mayers’ recent appearances were in T20Is and ODIs against India in the same month and a Test match against South Africa in March.
As the West Indies navigates the upcoming season, the absence of these premier players from central contracts raises questions about the evolving dynamics within the team and the broader landscape of international cricket contracts.
Alick Athanaze, Kraigg Brathwaite, Keacy Carty, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd.
