Cricket West Indies openly challenges Jay Shah-led ICC amidst Olympics qualification
Published - 16 May 2025, 12:07 PM | Updated - 16 May 2025, 12:15 PM
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to grant it the authority to decide who will represent the Caribbean at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, should the West Indies qualify. The Windies cricket team features players from multiple sovereign Caribbean nations.
The qualification process for cricket at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is not yet decided, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and organisers. Both the men's and women's events will feature six teams each. It is yet to be determined whether qualification will be based on team rankings.
Committed to Constructive Dialogue with the ICC - CWI CEO
Only independent nations are allowed to participate in the Olympics. CWI CEO Chris Dehring stated that the board wants the right to select which individual Caribbean nation, such as Jamaica or Barbados, will represent the region.
"Essentially, if the methodology of rankings is used by ICC (e.g. Top 6), and WI (men) is ranked 5, we get to choose which of our countries (e.g. Jamaica, Barbados, etc) get to represent the WI at the Olympics and we are not just simply left out because 'West Indies' as a team can't participate," Chris Dehring told Cricbuzz.
"The CWI is committed to constructive dialogue with the ICC and welcomes the opportunity to work together in shaping a qualification process that respects both the Olympic ethos and the realities of cricket in the Caribbean," the West Indies board said.
West Indies Cricket Team Comprises Players from 15 Caribbean Nations and Territories
The Windies cricket team is made up of players from 15 different Caribbean nations and territories, such as Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Saint Lucia.
For multi-sport events like the Commonwealth Games, the region selects a representative based on intra-Caribbean competition results. Barbados competed independently at the 2022 Games in Birmingham.
A similar challenge now arises for the United Kingdom, whose cricket structure includes separate entities like England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, which could complicate Olympic representation under current rules.
Cricket has only appeared once in the Olympics, during the 1900 Paris Games, when Great Britain defeated France in a two-day match.
Must Not Exclude Our Young Cricketers - CWI President Dr. Kishore Shallow
The CWI proposed two ways for Caribbean nations to qualify for Olympic cricket. CWI president Dr. Kishore Shallow stated West Indies cricket deserves a clear and fair path to compete at the Games.
"The Caribbean has always punched above its weight at the Olympics, inspiring the world with our athletic brilliance. Cricket's return to the Games in 2028 must not exclude our young cricketers from the same dream that has inspired our athletes."
"The Olympic Charter emphasizes fairness, transparency, and universality. We are simply asking that these principles be upheld - not just in spirit, but in structure. West Indies cricket must have a pathway, and fully deserve an opportunity to compete."
The Windies men's cricket team is at fifth position in the ICC T20I rankings, while the women's team is ranked sixth. If Olympic qualification is determined by rankings, both teams are likely to secure their spots in the tournament.
About the Author
Sai Vaitla is an author at Cricketaddictor and he has been working since September 2022. Sai Vaitla... Read more
