Nicholas Pooran, Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers opt out as WICB announces central contracts for 2023-24

14 men’s and 15 women cricketers have been awarded central contract by WICB.

West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) announced the list of centrally contracted players for men’s and women’s cricket teams. WICB announced the central contract list for the upcoming season 2023-24. In a big development, former skippers Jason Holder, Nicholas Pooran and all-rounder Kyle Mayers have declined the central contract from WICB. All these three players have followed the lines of Trent Boult, Jimmy Neesham, and a few other players. 

The trio will be available for selection on the national side in the shortest format of the game. The trio will be focusing more on playing league cricket around the world. This is a new growing trend among players around the world as the players are more interested in playing franchise T20 leagues. Franchises around the world also offer a great amount of deals for these players. A few players have also announced their retirement from selected formats. 

Desmong Haynes planning for the future

West Indies chief selector Desmond Haynes said he looks to invest in players who get the best result possible in the upcoming T20 World Cup. West Indies will play as a host of the tournament along with USA. Haynes said, “With a busy year of cricket ahead, in all three formats, we have held several detailed discussions with the two Head Coaches on the brand of cricket they want to play. We are very clear in the direction we want to go.” 

He also added that they have made a decision looking at the next Cricket World Cup in 2027. He added, “The players who have been offered contracts are among those who we expect to feature, as we look to build towards challenging for the top spot when we host and compete in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 on home soil…whilst in the 50-over format we look to build a nucleus of players aimed towards the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.” 

A few new entries in the contract

Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Gudakesh Motie, and Jayden Seales are the few youngsters who have been awarded the central contract for the first time. Senior pros like Kraigg Brathwaite, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, and Kemar Roach have been on the central contract list. Jason Holder will be the big fish to catch in the upcoming IPL 2024 auction. He was released by Rajasthan Royals before the auction. 

West Indies men’s central contract list

1. Alick Athanaze, 2. Kraigg Brathwaite, 3. Keacy Carty, 4. Tagenarine Chanderpaul, 5. Joshua Da Silva, 6. Shai Hope, 7. Akeal Hosein, 8. Alzarri Joseph, 9. Brandon King, 10. Gudakesh Motie, 11. Rovman Powell, 12. Kemar Roach, 13. Jayden Seales, 14. Romario Shepherd

West Indies women’s central contract list 

1. Aaliyah Alleyne, 2. Shemaine Campbelle, 3. Shamilia Connell, 4. Afy Fletcher, 5. Cherry-Ann Fraser, 6. Shabika Gajnabi, 7. Jannillea Glasgow, 8. Sheneta Grimmond, 9. Chinelle Henry, 10. Zaida James, 11. Mandy Mangru, 12. Hayley Matthews, 13. Karishma Ramharack, 14. Stafanie Taylor, 15. Rashada Williams

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