In this two-part series from February, Selman talked about the state of the current Windies team as well as the challenges facing women’s cricket in the Caribbean
Following her retirement in 2024, Shakera Selman has become a staple voice in the commentary box for Cricket West Indies. The former seamer also holds an administrative position in the game, after undertaking the role of Women’s Cricket Officer with the Barbados Cricket Association that same year. She shared her perspective on the different issues facing the West Indies team as well as those plaguing the women’s game in the region.
What do you make of the West Indian seamers struggling to threaten with the new ball?
It is a worry, but they have quality. We've seen what Chinelle Henry can do. And Aaliyah Alleyne has taken at least one wicket in the last 12 ODIs she's bowled in (before Wednesday). So she's obviously a threat as well. I don't think the West Indies utilize her in the best way; I think there is an opportunity for her to bowl with the new ball. I really hope that the think tank eventually sees that.
Deandra Dottin has skill, but you don't want to rely on her too much. She is an all-rounder, and you don't want to step into a game expecting Deandra to bowl ten overs or to take four or three wickets every game. There is the odd occasion that she'll take a wicket, and she's done wondrous stuff for the West Indies over the years, but the plans can't be around Deandra as a seamer.
Deandra Dottin (BCCI)
So you're hoping that someone can partner with Henry from the other end. They identified Shawnisha Hector coming out of a good regional season, but it hasn't worked in these conditions (against Sri Lanka in Grenada). Jannillea Glasgow has not bowled for the series as yet. So there are options.
I think the bigger picture is that seamers need to be given more opportunities to bowl more overs. We've relied too much on our spinners across conditions, and the only way our seamers are going to get better is by being given more opportunities.
West Indies captain Hayley Matthews and all-rounder Justin Greaves have been named the ICC Women’s and Men’s Players of the Month for July.
Matthews says she is delighted to beat England's Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sri Lanka's Harshitha Samarawickrama to win the award for the fifth time.
“I am thrilled to win the ICC Player of the Month award once again. It is just as special as the previous ones, and I hope it inspires me to keep raising my standards, contributing to the West Indies, and winning more such awards in the future," she said.
Matthews scored back-to-back centuries in Windies’ three-match One Day international series against Ireland last month, averaging 132.5 with the bat, complemented by seven wickets at 17.57 apiece and an economy of 4.1 runs per over.
Twenty-two of the Caribbean’s promising young female cricketers have been given an immediate opportunity to build on their performances in the recently concluded Rising Stars Women’s Under-19 Championship, as Cricket West Indies (CWI) steps up preparations for the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in 2027.
The players have transitioned directly from the successful regional tournament into a two-week High-Performance Camp in Antigua, which began on August 17 and runs until August 29.
Bravo inducted as a player, Bishop in non-player category
The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) today confirmed Dwayne Bravo and Ian Bishop as the two inaugural inductees into the newly established CPL Hall of Fame. Bravo joins as the first player inducted, with Bishop recognised in the non-player category for his contribution to the tournament's success since its launch in 2013.
The launch of the CPL Hall of Fame marks a historic moment for Caribbean cricket: an honour created to celebrate the players and individuals who have shaped the tournament since its unforgettable beginnings in 2013. Bravo and Bishop will make history as the inaugural inductees, taking centre stage at a landmark Hall of Fame Gala Dinner at The Hilton Hotel in Barbados on Tuesday 15 September 2026.
The evening will bring together the biggest names in West Indies cricket to celebrate a tournament that has become a source of enormous regional pride, making it one of the unmissable nights on the Caribbean cricket calendar. Proceeds from the evening will go to The Sir Clive Lloyd Healthcare Foundation, supporting its work to raise awareness and improve testing for prostate cancer across the Caribbean.
Chief Executive Officer of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Sanjog Gupta, says the sport must provide a stronger backdrop for bilaterals in order to “sustain” the longer formats of the game.
"The era of randomly scheduled bilateral series has to come to an end, because countries will not be able to sustain cricket without context, culture, competition, and competitiveness, which require significant investment of resources, both financial and non-financial," Gupta told the Press Trust of India.
"It's important to stay focused on the four levers which drive attention and affiliation - context, culture, competition and competitiveness - and ODIs can continue not just to survive, but thrive,” Gupta, who was appointed to the position of CEO last July, continued.
“There is a place for the format in the product portfolio, which is inextricably linked to men's and women's World Cups. We need to look at what we want the format to stand for and how we want it to evolve, including the expanse of participation."
