Tue 21 Oct ’25 by KRISSANIA YOUNG
“I’m trying to understand your question,” Daren Sammy said, cracking his head. The reporter he was addressing had spent the previous sixty seconds laying the groundwork for a very poignant question. “Do you think the idea of the West Indies is fading among the next generation of players?” he asked.
It’s a question that has been thrown around quite callously over the past decade. Some may argue that the current state of West Indian cricket warrants this. However, the West Indies coach is not one of them.
“I think the ‘idea’ of West Indies, probably in history, entails the most successful brand in cricket,” the two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain began his speech. “That is what the ‘idea’ of the West Indies represents.”
Shall we do the same, just as Sammy tested the theory by repeating the word in his answer? Essentially, the people of the Caribbean are not asked whether West Indian cricket has served its purpose. A decade and a half of dominance with the red ball and seven white ball titles (among the men’s, women’s and age-group teams) will justify that. The question we are asked, however, is whether this goal has achieved its purpose. Is there a fundamental reason why the institution still exists? Sammy insists it is. “The idea of West Indies will never be a failure because I understand the history we bring to this game.”
He continued by pointing out what is a common phenomenon in any sport, but so easily forgotten in relation to the West Indies. “All teams go through their cycles, [and] we are going through it now.” A cycle caused by external factors, like most others. The infrastructure in the region is hanging by a thread and will, at best, continue to do so as long as the financial resources are lacking.
West Indies receive 4.58% of revenue under the current International Cricket Council distribution model. They are one of eight full member states to receive less than 5%, with India retaining the lion’s share (38.50%), followed by England (6.89%) and Australia (6.25%).
The game’s governing body is also creeping towards a two-tiered testing system, which, most significantly, would separate the so-called ‘big three’ from the smaller teams. This step would make the barrier between the classification of nations more visible. Has anyone wondered if the idea of the ICC is fading in the governance of international cricket?
Of course, monetary factors are not the only reason why cricket is stagnant in the region. An insularity exists, and politics contribute to this, as do administrative ignorance and rival franchise leagues. And coach Sammy is aware. “Yes, we have some challenges [bringing back the glory days]whether it’s financial or anything like that [other] things we talked about.” Yet he remains challenging; the Caribbean side has earned its place in international cricket. “But the idea of the West Indies never fails. It is one that carries with it a great history and legacy.”
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