HEADLINE: Kraigg Brathwaite steps down as Test captain and Shai Hope takes over white-ball leadership

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – As the West Indies Senior Men’s team prepares for a new chapter, Cricket West Indies (CWI) announces leadership transitions across formats ahead of a crucial home season. The upcoming home series will mark the start of the new ICC World Test Championship cycle with Test matches against Australia, while the tour to England and Ireland will see a new T20 captain settle into the role ahead of the campaign for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

Kraigg Brathwaite has officially stepped down as Test captain, having first indicated his intention to do so to CWI leadership earlier this year ahead of the completion of the West Indies’ successful tour of Pakistan. Understanding the importance of continuity, Brathwaite wanted to ensure the team had a period of transition before his departure. As a result, he has submitted his resignation ahead of the home series against Australia, giving the new leadership time to establish itself. This series will be particularly special, allowing Brathwaite, who is two matches shy of 100 test matches, to double down on his batting without added responsibility.

Brathwaite’s official tenure as Test captain, which began in March 2021, has been defined by historic achievements. Under his leadership, the West Indies secured their first Test victory in Australia in 27 years with a thrilling eight-run win in Brisbane in 2024. Earlier this year, he led the team to a landmark test victory over Pakistan in Pakistan to level the series, the first in 34 years. His captaincy also saw West Indies defeat England at home in 2022 and claim a 2-0 series win over Bangladesh in challenging conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.

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They suggesting that a player who in the last 2 years averages 22 with the bat is somehow a sure pick to continue playing on the test team??

Meanwhile, players like Blackwood get dropped while averaging more.

SMH

In reply to imusic

Looks like that's the deal made...

If Braffit is allowed to reach 100 tests then it further confirms that Shiv was given the boot because he is of a different hue.

In reply to WI_cricfan

good riddance
nice guy but his batting retarded our development as a team

Who would be the test openers. I cannot the the "sentimental" reasons for picking Mr Brathwaithe for two more tests, just so he can reach 100 tests played. That would do great injustice to Mr Chanderpaul, who should have played more,on merit. Mr Brathwaithe has to EARN his place in the squad, let alone the starting 11.

I agree with Mr Hope's appointment.

In reply to WI_cricfan





Not sure what you are talking about because when you put Kraigg and Shiv side by side, they look to be the same colour

An interesting development, but Kraigg will play for a while going forward, it is a different group of people who are in control of the cricket board at the moment so what was done to Chanderpaul would not be done to Kraigg, also there are not other players who have made a strong case to replace him as opener. Who will be named as captain will be interesting.

In reply to Prako

In reply to dayne


What strong case needs to be made to replace a player that averages 22 over the past 2 years?

In reply to Prako



WI_cricfan said that Shiv must have had a tan in that pic.

In reply to imusic

Well, Kraigg made a fifty in the last inning of the last Test he played, also he is in the top five in runs of the ongoing regional tournament, which other opener is doing better than that at this time?

Alzarri is the only option

In reply to VIX

Alazarri will cuss out the team every day, the players will be walking on pins and needles, too tense

to some crew in here brathwaithe was the reason why wi are in the position they are in and the reason why louis and the other young batsmen are failures because he bats to slow and puts pressure on them .that bs i heard for months in here.

Then who ever is the next captain should turn this around and louis ,hodge ,athanaze or who ever will suddenly be reeling off hundreds at a cantor like richards greenidge and haynes

Let me laugh and pray for the next captain and thank brathwaithe for his service

In reply to velo

And exactly the reason why this is a Rum Shop. I have been on this group for many years and it is obvious that few here know anything about the game. Most write from a point of view of ignorance and homeboyism. Insularity is Rum Shop talk. Some write with emotions clouded and influenced by the good old days. They refuse to appreciate that this is a different time. I have said it here many times and I will say it again - we expect standards from our cricketers that we demand from no other section of life or society - not our political, church or community leaders. In fact, not even of our children or family are held to these standards.
Get a dose of reality, people.

In reply to dayne


There are lies, damned lies, and statistics.

Yes….KB score a 50 in his last innings of the last test match WI played.

What were his scores in the 20 innings before that?

Yes….KB is in the top 5 run scorers in the regional FC competition.

He scored 212 runs in 1 innings against West Indies Academy.

What has he done the rest of the tournament?

SMH

In reply to imusic

A player who averages more,....
As per your question regarding a player to replace Kraigg.


Though I am happy he steps down I feel they could of left out the part of him playing his 100th test as that would bring uo topics like these.
I wanted Kraigg to be gone as I feel he's done very little last few years to warrant a place in the side, a sure place too.

Would be interested to see who takes up the reign, plus the composition of the test side. Cause I'm almost certain Braithwaite departure as captain won't be one of the biggest surprises come summer

In reply to dayne


The Alzarri Joseph boy deserved a life ban for walking off the field without permission turning the game into a farce leaving ten men fielding. Making him captain will be end of West Indies test cricket which has been on the road to nowhere for a very long time. Joseph as many pundits state isn't worthy of a place in the test side much less being made captain.

In reply to dayne


That sounds great to me!

INTERESTING DISCUSSION

The Bajans run things!

In reply to cricketmad



Agreed - and rightly so. They are the best Administrators in the region which is a testament to why they are the most developed country in the WI.

Every one of us has a goal. Kraigg's goal was to play 100 test matches, and to all you younger posters, his idol was the Great Shiv Chanderpaul.



There is life after cricket, enjoy your visit to England with your Wanderers youngsters, Coach Kraigg.