Former captains Jason Holder and Nicholas Pooran, and allrounder Kyle Mayers, have turned down West Indies central contracts for 2023-24. However, CWI officials said the trio will still be available for T20I series during the year. CWI announced 14 men’s contracts and 15 women’s contracts.
The trend of key players opting out of West Indies contracts has become more common due to T20 franchise leagues providing players with financial security. Notable instances include Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and Chris Gayle doing so as far back as 2010. New Zealand’s Trent Boult and England’s Ben Stokes also made similar decisions in the past, indicating a growing trend among top players.
It is unclear if Holder (32), Pooran (28), and Mayers (31) turning down their contracts means they are done with the longer formats altogether. Mayers and Pooran have already secured contracts for IPL 2024, while Holder will be seeking a new deal at the upcoming auction. Pooran, in particular, has a busy T20 season ahead, with various commitments lined up.
The contracts list was based on player performance and recommendations from the selection panels, according to CWI. The contracts are aimed at preparing the team for upcoming tournaments, including the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup, as well as away Test series in Australia and England. The Women’s contracts emphasize the development of younger players, recognizing them as essential in the pathway to the international level.
The 2023-24 West Indies men’s contracts list includes only four new names, showing the organization’s commitment to retaining core players and building a strong team for future competitions.
