Lara, Richards, and Lloyd asked to join Cricket West Indies emergency review after Australia whitewash

The West Indies cricket team stooped to new lows recently when they were bowled out for their lowest-ever total of 27 in the first pink ball Test on Caribbean soil, at Kingston against Australia. The collapse marked the end of a 3-0 clean sweep by the visitors with the Windies managing to surpass 250 only once in their six batting innings, losing by margins of 159, 133, and 176 runs respectively. To help mitigate the damage, an emergency review meeting has been convened, as was announced in a press release by board President Dr Kishore Shallow. Apart from committee members Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Desmond Haynes, and Ian Bradshaw, three formers greats Brian Lara, Vivian Richards, and Clive Lloyd might also be present after being invited to join the proceedings.  

‌"Like every West Indian cricket fan, I felt the pain of our recent Test defeat to Australia. "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," Shallow said.

Having dominated the cricket world through the 1970s and 80s, West Indies are currently ranked eighth in Test cricket and have finished all three completed editions of the World Test Championship so far in second-last place. Their last series win against a top-five side came over three years ago and while the Windies have had their moments since, such as handing Australia a first-ever pink ball defeat at the Gabba in 2024 and managing to take all 60 wickets against the same side in the recently concluded series, none of it has culminated in or shown signs of sustained success.

"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," Shallow's statement further read.

Windies even dropped 100 caps holder and skipper until earlier this year Kraigg Brathwaite for the Sabrina Park Test, only to register a record seven ducks in the second innings. The side has the lowest home batting average of any side in the ongoing decade, with Roston Chase and Shai Hope the only members of their latest top-seven to have played over 25 Tests. Head coach Darren Sammy has spoken about the need to overhaul the domestic structure and create decks around the country true enough to allow batters to trust their shots and technique while the likes of Carl Hooper have heavily criticized the board for bringing about the downfall of red-ball cricket in the country. 

Shallow is hopeful the inputs from Lara (11,953 Test runs at 52.88), Richards (8,540 at 50.23), and Lloyd (7,515 at 46.67) can help inspire a turnaround.     

"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," Shallow wrote.

"There is much work to be done. But we must do it with purpose, and we must do it together."