Windies

Graeme West departs Cricket West Indies after 12 years of service

By Sports Desk September 06, 2024
Graeme West departs Cricket West Indies after 12 years of service

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced the departure of Graeme West, who will step down from his role as High Performance Manager on September 30, 2024, after 12 years of distinguished service. West, who joined CWI on June 1, 2012, as the Head Coach of the High Performance Centre at Cave Hill, Barbados, leaves behind a lasting legacy of development and success within West Indies cricket.

During his tenure, West oversaw several critical initiatives aimed at building the future of West Indies cricket. From his time as Head Coach of the West Indies Under-19 Men’s team, where he led them to World Cup glory in 2016, to his leadership in creating the Men’s and Women’s Academy programs at Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) in Antigua, West has been a key figure in nurturing emerging talent. He also played a pivotal role in launching the 12-month U19 Pathway Programmes, which are vital in the continuous development of the region’s youth players.

CWI Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, expressed his gratitude for West's years of service: “I sincerely thank Graeme for his 12 years of service to West Indies cricket. He has contributed significantly to the development of our High Performance system and has overseen many initiatives that we will continue to grow after he departs. We are grateful for his years of commitment and wish him the best as he turns the page to a new chapter in his career.”

Reflecting on his time with CWI, West spoke about the impact the organization and the region have had on him and his family. “I would like to thank CWI for the opportunities provided to me and my family over the last twelve years. I leave the organization as a more experienced coach, a more rounded leader, and a World Cup winner," he said. "Equally important to me are the relationships I have developed with players, coaches and the staff that have supported me throughout my time at CWI and I am sure will continue to do so in the future. My time spent in the Caribbean will forever hold a special place in my heart. My wife and I have raised our children on the beaches of Barbados and Antigua and we have thoroughly enjoyed and embraced the many cultures and diversity across the region.”

West's 12 years of service saw him based for five years at the High Performance Centre in Barbados and another seven years at CWI’s headquarters in Antigua. Beyond his success with the Under-19 Men’s team, West also served as the Head Coach of the West Indies ‘A’ Team from 2016 to 2018, where he led the team to series victories against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

As High Performance Manager, West has been instrumental in the creation of new pathways for young cricketers, both male and female, laying a foundation for future success in West Indies cricket. His departure marks the end of an era, but his influence will continue to shape the development of talent within the Caribbean for years to come.

 
 

 
 
Tags
« Rupert Hunter appointed Chief Commercial Officer at Cricket West Indies CWI begins search for new Chief Executive Officer »

Related items

  • Windies women eye vital win against Bangladesh to keep semi-final hopes alive at T20 World Cup Windies women eye vital win against Bangladesh to keep semi-final hopes alive at T20 World Cup

    After an impressive six-wicket win over Scotland, West Indies women will seek to build on that momentum when they take on Bangladesh in a crucial encounter that could define their campaign at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

    The Caribbean side will enter Thursday’s contest knowing that another win would keep their semi-final hopes alive, as they currently sit in third position on two points, two behind leaders South Africa and England on four points each.

    The first ball is 9:00am Jamaica time.

    West Indies’ victory over Scotland was a much-needed confidence boost for the team, especially after a crushing 10-wicket loss to South Africa in their opening match. The win not only lifted their spirits but also boosted their net run rate, a key factor in determining the semi-final spots should multiple teams finish level on points.

    Assistant coach Ryan Austin emphasized the Hayley Matthews-led team’s readiness to handle what promises to be a tricky challenge, as Bangladesh bowlers, particularly their spinners, have proven to be formidable opponents.

    “The team is pretty prepared. We obviously know that Bangladesh is basically a spin-based unit, but with our philosophies, we are more focused on what we can control. Having said that, we still have that element of power within our batting that could counter the spin as well,” Austin said in a pre-game press conference.

    “If you look at the wicket, they are playing pretty slow at the moment. South Africa today (Wednesday) actually had a good total on the wicket, and if you watch how they batted, they actually used their feet a lot to the spin. So we are looking to obviously go into the game with that sort of temperament mindset with respect to their spin bowling attack as well. Sharjah has almost kind of a two-paced kind of wicket because during the day it's very low and slow, but in the evenings it kind of changes and comes alive,” he added.

    Austin exuded confidence in his team’s batting prowess, with the likes of Matthews, Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin, and Shemaine Campbelle expected to play pivotal roles, especially with the group being poised for a tight finish.

    Though those proverbial big guns are yet to really fire, Austin believes their true potential should come to the fore in Thursday’s game, as well as the decisive fixture against England. West Indies currently have a positive net run rate of 1.154, only bettered by leaders South Africa, who have 1.527.

    “If you look at how our group is set up, net run-rate is really going to be a big factor later down, especially, if we win both games against Bangladesh and England. So one of the things that we really have to look at is how we go about executing, especially in this game against Bangladesh. So our game plan is to at least probably both first and then try to get to our target as fast as possible,” Austin reasoned.