The West Indies have undergone some turmoil in recent years, from failing to advance into the main tournament of the ICC World Cup 2023 to a humiliating exit from their home tournament of the ICC T20 World Cup as well.
Recently, they recorded the unwanted record of the second-lowest team total in a Test innings, as they were bowled out for 27 runs against Australia in the final Test match at Sabina Park.
The West Indies have also failed to be promising in the T20 format, a format they are known to excel. The main concern has been that most of the high-value West Indies players featuring in franchise leagues around the world have not played significantly for their country.
Brian Lara blasts Cricket West Indies for Nicholas Pooran’s retirement
Recently, legendary West Indies cricketer Brian Lara stepped up to slam Cricket West Indies for the early retirement of their most in-form and devastating batter, Nicholas Pooran. Brian Lara shared views that the non-participation of such quality players is what has led to the decline of the West Indies’ status at the international level.
Brian Lara has mentioned that the growth of global T20 leagues has allowed players to make an ample amount of money without playing international cricket.
“You have a lot of guys who are deciding on what to do with their careers. You have your aggressive players like Pooran, who retired at 29. And honestly, it’s pretty clear why they did. There are five or six leagues around the world, and they’re able to make a substantial amount of money playing in them,” said Brian Lara on a podcast named ‘Stick to Cricket.’
“I have no problem with that. The truth is, I don’t think the West Indies Cricket Board or the administration has done anything meaningful to keep players loyal to West Indies cricket, unlike what boards in countries like England, Australia, or even India have done,” Brian Lara added.
“So naturally, our players are going to look elsewhere. And when you see players like Kane Williamson or even South Africans making similar choices, you understand that these guys are just trying to provide for their families,” added the West Indies legend Brian Lara.
Nicholas Pooran recently led MI New York to the title in MLC 2025
The West Indies wicket-keeper batsman showed some fine calibre in the Indian Premier League after being retained for a huge INR 21 crore and has now led the MI franchise to a title win for the second time in the Major League Cricket.
He is seen as the skipper of the MI New York this time as he led them to their second title in the history of MLC. This is just the third edition, as despite having a weak showing in the league stage games, they excelled in the playoffs, maintaining an unbeaten streak into the finals and then claiming the title.
Pooran had a huge impact while also scoring a stunning hundred in this edition of the MLC.
Many Players have kept aside internationals to feature in leagues
Other than Nicholas Pooran, there are other players like South African superstar Heinrich Klaasen, who has shown great form for the Proteas in white-ball cricket in recent times and has also retired from international cricket to feature in global leagues.
New Zealand legend Kane Williamson has also opted out of central contracts for the same reason. He has decided to participate in several Global T20 tournaments, which include the SA20, and will be a part of ‘The Hundred’ in England after playing a part in the Vitality Blast.
Recently, Andre Russell has also made his intentions clear on announcing his international retirement after the conclusion of the first two T20Is against Australia at Kingston.