The decline of West Indies cricket is not a natural fall from grace but the product of decades of mismanagement, incompetence, and misplaced priorities by Cricket West Indies (CWI). Once the most feared and respected cricketing force in the world, the West Indies now languish near the bottom of the international ladder. This collapse cannot be blamed on talent, for the Caribbean still produces cricketers of skill and promise. Instead, it is the governing body’s failure to manage, nurture, and respect that talent which has brought West Indies cricket to its knees.
At the core of this failure lies chronic incompetence. Rather than instituting structures to rebuild the game at all levels, CWI has often operated like a private club, riddled with nepotism and favoritism. Decisions about selection, administration, and coaching appointments frequently appear to be made not on merit but on personal ties and political considerations. A glaring example is the repeated appointment of unqualified coaches. Instead of hiring experienced individuals with proven records in red-ball cricket or international management, CWI has installed coaches lacking both the credentials and the gravitas to command a professional dressing room. Worse still, the current coach has been handed sweeping authority over selection and strategy, operating with almost no accountability. Such unchecked power has resulted in inconsistent team policies, poor man-management, and a steady erosion of discipline and structure within the squad.