Cricket West Indies convenes emergency strategy meeting, inviting batting legends to help rebuild team following second-lowest Test total in history
Kingston, July 16, 2025 – Cricket West Indies (CWI) President Dr Kishore Shallow has called an urgent session of the Cricket Strategy and Officiating Committee after the Windies were bowled out for just 27 runs in their second innings of the third Test against Australia – marking the second-lowest Test total ever.
“As an immediate step, I have advised the Chair… to convene an emergency meeting to review the recent Test series against Australia, particularly the final match,” stated Shallow.
In a significant move to chart a recovery path, Shallow extended invitations to three of the Caribbean’s batting greats:
Sir Clive Lloyd
Sir Vivian Richards
Brian Lara
They are set to join current committee members Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Desmond Haynes, and Ian Bradshaw.
“This engagement is not ceremonial. These are men who helped define our golden eras,” emphasised Shallow, adding that the goal is to generate tangible, actionable recommendations.
The shocking 27 all-out unfolded at Sabina Park, Kingston, on July 14, when Australia’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Mitchell Starc (6/9) and Scott Boland’s hat-trick, dismantled the batting lineup – falling just one run short of the all-time lowest innings of 26 by New Zealand in 1955.
Shallow admitted the result was “painful,” but appealed for unity and patience. “We must not allow this moment to define our journey. We are in a rebuilding phase… reigniting the spirit that has long made West Indies cricket a force in the world,” he said.
Why This Matters
The inclusion of Lloyd, Richards, and Lara signals serious leadership intent, not just symbolic gestures. The collapse reinforces concerns about the batting department’s struggles, despite a potent bowling attack. CWI’s plan could determine West Indies’ long-term competitiveness in Test cricket.
This historic moment marks a defining inflection point, as West Indies reach deep into their cricketing heritage to seek solutions from their most celebrated sons in the hope of reigniting past glory.
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