Cricket West Indies (CWI) has created a new selection system to feature team-specific panels, selection analysts and a new policy aimed at creating transparency and efficiency in the process.
In a departure from the current system, the men, women and junior squads will now benefit from separate selection panels headed by an executive selector, and comprising another selector and the head coach.
The changes were recently announced at a CWI media conference, resulted from recommendations put forward by a CWI selection task force headed by Vice President, Dr. Kishore Shallow and including Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams.
CWI President, Ricky Skerritt, who said selection panels would be staffed shortly, explained the new changes were aimed at creating the “best possible practices that could lead to the best possible outcomes.”
A selection analyst will be attached to the panels while the men’s panel will benefit from three scouts who will undertake the role of monitoring players throughout the region.
Dr. Shallow said in the past there had been little analytical approach to the selection of players and it had not augured well for player development or performance.
The captain, along with the head coach and the executive director, will choose the final player XI, but while the captain will be involved in squad selection, he will not have a vote.
Despite this, Skerritt said the captain still remained a key role in the selection process.
