During the emergency meeting, called by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), after their side rolled over for 27 runs during the third pink-ball Test against Australia in Jamaica, in the presence of Brian Lara, Clive Lloyd, Viv Richards, Desmond Haynes, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and current head coach, Darren Sammy, the future roadmap to success was discussed.

Since the end of the Test series, West Indies lost their five-match T20I series at home against Australia by 0-5 margin before losing the T20I series against Pakistan. However, they won the ODI series against the Mohammed Rizwan-led side by a margin of 2-1. Lara questioned whether the players still have the same motivation to play for the national side, apart from all the franchise T20 leagues.

See Also: Is Mohammed Rizwan's captaincy is the reason for Pakistan's downfall?

“It's been that case for years, where we are not on the same level-playing field as other playing countries. Back in the days when skill was the prominent factor, we excelled; we were the best team in the world. But the game has evolved, and technology and analytics, and we now have to see a new way of finding ourselves back to being very competitive.” The former West Indies captain expressed.

Brian Lara questions West Indies players’ motivation between franchise leagues and national side

It’s not a new issue among the modern-day West Indies players, who, on many occasions, have prioritized the T20 leagues around the world over the chance to represent their national side. That’s where they missed several key figures and suffered as a team.

“What motivates youngsters today? It might not be just representing the West Indies 365 days of the year. It might be playing in an IPL, a BBL, or something else. We have to find out those interests and see where West Indies cricket can still benefit from the youngsters. It's a long road; it's not going to happen tomorrow.” Brian Lara addressed.

“West Indies cricket is still very important in the minds of all youngsters, male and female, and when looking at cricket as a career. I think you have to understand that in different eras and decades, there are different motivational factors. In the '50s and early part of the '60s, we were thinking about independence; we can govern ourselves.” The Trinidad-born shed light.

It was just after the last ball of the 17th over, when Roston Chase, a veteran West Indies batter and the captain of the Test side, walked off the field. He was struggling with 15 runs in 12 deliveries in the huge run chase, where the required run-rate for the home side was getting over 15, as on a slow and low surface, the right-handed batter lacked rhythm.

Chase has become the first batter to retire out during the men’s T20Is featuring two full-member teams. They failed to chase the target of 190 runs in the deciding contest of the three-match T20I series against Pakistan at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Florida.

See Also: Australia star provides his game plan for AUS vs SA 2025 ODI series

The Shai Hope-led side went off to a flying start with Alick Athanaze smashing 60 runs in 40 balls at a strike rate of 150, but slowed down in the middle overs once the spinners came into the attack. When Alick was dismissed, the scoreboard read 110/3 with 80 runs required in seven overs of the encounter.

Roston Chase becomes first full-member team batter to retire out in T20Is

There had been only one instance previously where a batter decided to retire out in a men’s T20I featuring a full-member team. It occurred during the 2024 T20 World Cup clash when Namibia’s opening batter, Nikolaas Davin, returned out after getting just 18 runs in 16 balls during their chase of 126 runs in ten overs against England in North Sound, Antigua.

All ten other dismissals have a record in games involving the associate nations. It was coincidental that Chase had been retired out once in the shortest format. During the International League T20 at the start of the team, his franchise, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, were facing the MI Emirates when Chase, even after scoring 20 in 13 balls, retired out. He walked out to bat in the 12th over and left the field in the 18th.

West Indies, who lost this T20I series by a 2-1 margin, will now shift their focus to the ODI leg against Pakistan, starting from August 08 at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad.

After the defeat in the opening T20I clash between West Indies and Pakistan at the Centra Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida, the pressure was immense on the Caribbean side to make a strong comeback to keep the series alive. It’s noteworthy that they lost their last eight games at home against Australia in the longest and shortest formats of the game.

The Shai Hope-led side made a strong comeback in the fixture with a two-wicket victory. However, it was a memorable clash for Jason Holder, the former captain, who scripted a new record in the T20Is for the Caribbean team. The Barbados-born went past Dwayne Bravo to become the new leading wicket-taker of the West Indies side in the shortest format with 81 scalps.

See Also: [WATCH] Sunil Gavaskar’s special gift for Shubman Gill during ENG vs IND 5th Test

Bravo finished with 78 wickets in 77 innings during his tenure at an average of 26.10 and a strike rate of 19.29 with an economy rate of just over eight. Holder now has bagged 81 T20I scalps in 71 innings at an average of nearly 30 and an economy rate of under nine.

Jason Holder becomes West Indies’ leading T20I wicket-taker during WI vs PAK 2nd T20I

Batting first, the visitors put 133/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Both openers had a poor and silent game with the bat as Fakhar Zaman struggled for his 20 runs in 19 balls at number three. Hasan Nawaz smashed 40 runs in 23 balls with the help of one boundary and four sixes at a strike rate of 173.91. Holder finished with figures of 4/19 in four overs.

West Indies kept losing wickets at regular intervals in the chase, as the skipper had the hardest time in the middle for his 21 runs in 30 balls. Gudakesh Motie got 28 runs in 20 balls, but the pressure was on to chase the low score.

Again, it was Holder, who creamed a boundary on the last delivery of the second innings to remain unbeaten on 16 runs in 10 balls and shoulder them over the line by two wickets. The third fixture of the series will take place in less than 24 hours.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has penalized the West Indies side with a 10% cut of their match fee for being two overs short after the time allowances were taken into consideration during the fourth T20I of the five-match series against Australia on July 26 at Warner Park in St. Kitts. 

By Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for the players and player support personnel, which is related to the minimum over-rate offences. The West Indies players have been fined five percent of their match fee for every single over that the side failed to bowl in the allotted time.

See Also: CSK star betrays club to leave England to cut short his County Championship 2025 deal

Shai Hope, the captain of the side, has accepted the sanction that was proposed by the ICC match officials, avoiding the need for a formal hearing. The home side had already lost the three-match Test series by a margin of 0-3 with three huge defeats in Barbados, Grenada, and Jamaica.

West Indies fined over slow over rate during T20I series against Australia

The opening game of the five-match series in the shortest format was played at Sabina Park. West Indies smashed 189/8 in their allotted 20 overs thanks to half-centuries from captain Hope and Roston Chase. But the home side was way too powerful to chase the target by three wickets in hand and seven balls to spare, thanks to half-centuries from Mitchell Owen and Cameron Green.

The second fixture of the series ended in the same manner. Only Brandon King smashed fifty to get 172/8 in their 20 overs before the 131-run stand for the third wicket helped the visitors to take a 2-0 lead. The action moved to Warner Park, where Hope’s unbeaten century fired them over the 200-run mark. However, another poor bowling show and Tim David’s 102* sealed the deal for the Mitchell Marsh-led side.

The fourth game saw the hosts putting 205/9 on the board, shouldering on several starts. But in reply, Josh Inglis and Cameron Green smacked two fifties while Aaron Hardie drilled 23 runs to chase the 206 runs in 19.2 overs. The fifth and final fixture of the series will take place on July 29 at the same venue as Australia aim for an entire-trip whitewash.

West Indies, a few weeks ago, suffered a heavy 0-3 series defeat at home against Australia, including their unwanted record of getting rolled over for 27 in the second innings of the third Test at Sabina Park in Jamaica. The road won’t be easy for the side, which called for an urgent emergency meeting along with some of the notable members of the side.

Ahead of their two-match Test trip in October this year to India, the team will hold a week-long camp and is also likely to play a warm-up contest at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The request has come from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

See Also: [WATCH] Jasprit Bumrah to retire from Tests after ENG vs IND 2025 Series? Former India star predicts

The opening game of the series, which will also kick off India’s 2025-26 home season, is scheduled to happen at the same venue before the action shifts to the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi from October 10-14. In the home season, the Blue Brigade will also host South Africa and New Zealand.

Know West Indies’ special request to BCCI for preparation of Ind vs WI 2025 Tests

The BCCI has agreed to the request from the WICB after checking with the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA), as their secretary, Anil Patel, revealed in an interaction with the Times of India (TOI). ‘The West Indies Cricket Board requested the BCCI if the Caribbean team could hold a one-week camp and play a practice match in Ahmedabad to prepare for the series.’

It’s not clear against which side the international team will play the warm-up game, but it’s likely to be the local Gujarat team or could perhaps be an all-state side, picked by the BCCI, where they can also look at a few of their upcoming stars. The pressure is currently extreme on the captain, Roston Chase, and their coach, Darren Sammy.

Losing to Australia by that margin didn’t come in a good manner at home. The game is anyway losing attention in the Caribbean, and if they don’t develop their performance in this tour, hard decisions are expected to be made. Their next trip after India won’t be easy either in New Zealand, where they will be tested by seam and swing movement.

Steven Smith opened up about his back problem after a fine injury-returning knock of 71 runs in the second innings of the second Grenada Test against the West Indies. He didn’t participate in the first game of the series in Barbados after getting ruled out of the finger injury that he picked up at Lord’s during the WTC 2023-25 final against South Africa.

The former Australia captain reckoned that he was trying to bat on the middle stump and jam down the bat for the deliveries that kept low. He addressed that when the bounce wasn’t consistent, he could not trust the balls in the stump-line.

SEE ALSO: WTC Final Stars and Nissanka Nominated for ICC Player of the Month – June 2025

“When I go across my stumps normally, that's when the bounce is pretty consistent and I can trust the balls aren't going to shoot (low). When the balls are shooting, I want to try and keep my bat as straight as possible and access that one as much as you can when it stays low.” The veteran expressed, as quoted by Cricket.com.au.

Steven Smith opens up on T20 fix to solve injured finger

It was an unfamiliar challenge for the experienced campaigner to bat wearing a splint on his right little finger after dislocation. He revealed that after the end of the game, the splint promoted another change, switching his T20 grip in Grenada. He was forced to use his top hand more than usual due to the heavy strapping.

“It was a little bit different (from normal) because I can't bend it really, it's stuck straight almost. But I felt good out there; I had to change a couple of things with my grip going from first innings to second innings with my finger, and it took me a little while to just get my placement.” Smith revealed. Reaching the half-century from 79 balls and finishing with a strike rate of nearly 60, the right-handed batter celebrated his sixth fastest innings of 50 or better since Jun 2020.

It will be incredibly important for him to continue the purple patch, with the top order lacking runs in a year of the home Ashes three months later. The third Jamaica Test of the series will be a new challenge for the star batter. It will also be Australia’s first day-night red-ball fixture abroad as the pink Dukes ball will have more challenge than the Kookaburra they use in the home Test matches. But he should be confident, having scored 199 in the first innings of the Test at that venue during the 2015 trip.

After the disappointing tour of the England Women's team in the Ashes series against the hosts, the Australia Women's team lost the 3-match ODI series in a clean sweep, followed by another clean sweep in the 3-match T20 series. They also lost the one-match Test series.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed the fixtures for the England Women's cricket team, who will host the West Indies Women's team for a 3-match ODI and a 3-match T20 series, starting from May 21st to end June 7th, 2025.

This series will be the next major tour for the England Women's team after the Ashes, as some players will be participating in the Women's Premier League (WPL), which starts on February 14th. Following that, the English women's side will focus on this series.

Also Read: India vs. England ODI Series 2025: Schedule, Squads, Probable Playing XI, When & Where to Watch

West Indies Women Tour of England 2025 Schedule

Squads for West Indies Women Tour of England 2025

England Women vs. West Indies Women 2025 Series: Live Streaming Details

The West Indies Women vs. England Women 2025 series will be aired live on the Sony Sports Network in India, while the live streaming will be available on Sony LIV.

How to Buy Tickets

Tickets for the matches can be purchased online through official platforms like the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) website or via other authorized ticket vendors. These sites and authorized vendors open their windows for a limited time, so it's important to purchase tickets once they go on sale.

The highly anticipated five-match T20I series between England and the West Indies ended in a 3-1 victory for England, with the final match being abandoned due to rain. England’s dominance was driven by standout performances from both bat and ball. Saqib Mahmood and Jamie Overton were exceptional with the ball, consistently dismantling the West Indies' batting order, while Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell shone in the batting department, anchoring England’s victories. The series also marked a triumphant return for Jos Buttler, who came back from injury and provided stability as a leader and batsman, underlining England's depth and resilience in white-ball cricket.  

For the West Indies, the series was marred by inconsistency and the absence of key players. Losing Andre Russell at the outset was a significant blow, and their experienced batters—Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran, Shai Hope, and Shimron Hetmyer—failed to deliver. Despite this, Rovman Powell and Evin Lewis showed glimpses of form, offering some respite in an otherwise lackluster batting performance. In the bowling department, Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie were relatively effective, but Alzarri Joseph and Romario Shepherd struggled to find consistency. Ultimately, the West Indies were outplayed by a well-rounded England side, leaving them with much to ponder ahead of their next series.

See Also: Tilak Varma's consecutive centuries secure series victory for India against South Africa (3-1)

Analyzing the Top 6 batters from this series 

The England vs. West Indies T20I series saw some exceptional performances with the bat, and Phil Salt emerged as a standout player for England. In four innings, Salt amassed 162 runs at an impressive strike rate of 165.31, including a brilliant century with a highest score of 103. His boundary percentage of 71.6% reflects his dominance in power-hitting, as he smashed 14 fours and 10 sixes. Salt's ability to combine power with precision was instrumental in England's success, setting the tone for their victories.  

Rovman Powell was the bright spot for the West Indies, scoring 153 runs in four innings. With a strike rate of 133.04 and an average of 38.25, Powell showcased his ability to anchor innings while accelerating when needed. His innings of 54 stood out as a measured yet impactful contribution. Powell's boundary percentage of 64.05%, combined with 11 sixes, highlighted his knack for clearing the ropes, offering a glimmer of hope for the West Indies amidst a disappointing series.  

Jacob Bethell's performances for England were equally remarkable. In just four innings, he scored 127 runs at a phenomenal average of 127 and a strike rate of 173.97. His two half-centuries, with a top score of 62, emphasized his consistency and maturity. Bethell's boundary percentage of 64.56%, complemented by 10 fours and 7 sixes, showcased his ability to find gaps and clear boundaries at will, making him a key contributor to England's batting success.  

England skipper Jos Buttler, making a comeback from injury, delivered a strong performance with 125 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 168.92. His unbeaten 83 demonstrated his trademark aggression and timing, as he smashed 10 fours and 9 sixes. Buttler's boundary percentage of 75.2% was among the highest in the series, proving that he had not lost his touch despite a long injury layoff. His leadership, coupled with his batting form, provided England with a significant edge.  

Evin Lewis and Will Jacks also contributed to their respective sides but with contrasting styles. Lewis scored 121 runs for the West Indies at a strike rate of 161.33, relying heavily on boundaries, with 80.99% of his runs coming from fours and sixes. In contrast, Jacks managed 112 runs for England, with a focus on strike rotation, achieving a strike rotation rate of 41.07—the highest among the top performers. Their contributions, though overshadowed by their teammates, were valuable in adding depth to their lineups and maintaining the competitive edge throughout the series.

See Also: Marco Jansen’s fiery knock gives South Africa hope but falls Just 11 runs short

West Indies captain Shai Hope hit his 17th ODI century as the hosts set a big total against England in the second ODI of the series.

Trailing the three-match ODI series by 1-0, England captain Liam Livingstone chose to field first in the second ODI at Antigua. West Indies scored 328/6 in 50 overs. 

Although both the openers were dismissed in single digits [Brandon King (7) and Evin Lewis (4)], Keacy Carty, captain Shai Hope, and Sherfane Rutherford set up the hosts' strong standing in the game. 

Carty and Hope had a 143-run partnership for the third wicket, and Hope had a quick-fire 79-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Rutherford. Carty scored 71 off 77 balls (five fours and one six), while Rutherford scored 54 off 36 balls (four fours and three sixes).

Shai Hope completed his century in 118 balls

Captain Hope completed his fifty runs in 66 balls and reached the three-figure mark in 118 balls. With the help of eight fours and four sixes, Hope scored 117 off 127 balls before Jofra Archer dismissed him in the 47th over. 

Shimron Hetmyer (24 off 11 balls), Roston Chase (20 not out off 22 balls), and Matthew Forde (23 not out off 11 balls) had some useful cameos that helped the hosts set up a target of 329 runs. 

In the final over of the innings, Forde hit three consecutive sixes to Saqib Mahmood.   

Here are some crucial stats on Shai Hope’s batting in the match. 

Shai Hope scored his second ODI century at home as a West Indies captain.

• While Hope is the second West Indies ODI captain to score a century at home, he equalled the record for most home centuries by a West Indies ODI captain with Brian Lara, as both have scored two centuries each as ODI captains.  
  

It was Hope’s fourth century as an ODI captain.

• Hope became the third Caribbean ODI captain to hit at least four centuries. 

Hope completed 1000 ODI runs as a captain. 

• Hope became the eighth West Indies ODI captain to score 1000+ runs. 

Hope recorded his 17th ODI century.

• Hope equalled the third-most ODI centuries record by a West Indies cricketer.
  

The West Indies cricket team has faced a significant setback as veteran all-rounder Jason Holder has been ruled out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 due to an injury. This unexpected development has led to the inclusion of left-arm fast bowler Obed McCoy as his replacement.

Jason Holder’s Injury

Jason Holder, the experienced stalwart of the West Indies team, sustained an injury during the County Championship 2024. The injury was severe enough to require a substantial recovery period, effectively ruling him out of participating in the T20 World Cup. Holder’s absence is a considerable loss for the West Indies, given his experience and influence on the field.

See Also: Watch: “Jeetne Ke Baad Cake Khayenge”, Rohit Sharma’s heart-touching chat with Pant ahead of T20 World Cup departure

Obed McCoy: The Replacement

Obed McCoy, who steps in to replace Holder, is a promising left-arm fast bowler. McCoy’s cricketing journey has been impressive, marked by his ability to deliver under pressure. Recently, he was the leading wicket-taker during the West Indies A’s tour to Nepal, where he grabbed eight wickets in five matches. His selection is a testament to his growing prowess and potential to shine internationally.

Desmond Haynes’ Statement

Desmond Haynes, the Lead Selector for West Indies, expressed his thoughts on Holder’s injury and McCoy’s selection. “Jason is an experienced player in our set-up. His absence will undoubtedly be felt both on and off the field. We look forward to having a fully fit Jason with us again soon,” Haynes said. He also expressed confidence in McCoy’s abilities, highlighting his remarkable skill and promise.

Reserve Players

In preparation for further contingencies, West Indies has named five reserve players: Kyle Mayers, Matthew Forde, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh, and Andre Fletcher. Each player brings unique skills and has proven their capabilities in various game formats. Their readiness to step in if needed adds depth to the squad.

Coach Daren Sammy’s Views

Daren Sammy, the head coach and two-time T20 World Cup winner, expressed his confidence in the team and the reserves. “We are fortunate to have such depth and quality in our ranks. Our reserve players are all A-class talents who have proven their abilities in various game formats, but certainly T20. Each of them is fully capable of slotting into the team seamlessly should the situation arise,” Sammy stated.

West Indies Updated Squad: Rovman Powell (c), Alzarri Joseph (vc), Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd. Reserves: Kyle Mayers, Matthew Forde, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh, and Andre Fletcher