Cricket West Indies (CWI) has unveiled a groundbreaking player development initiative, sending seven of the region’s most promising young cricketers to a specialized training camp at the prestigious Chennai Harika Kings Academy in India. The two-week program, running from December 1 to 14, represents a significant investment in the future of West Indies cricket and aims to equip the players with vital skills to excel in challenging overseas conditions.
The selected players include three contracted franchise talents — Kirk McKenzie, Matthew Nandu, and Kevin Wickham — alongside current and former West Indies Academy players Teddy Bishop and Jewel Andrew, and ex-West Indies Under-19 standouts Jordan Johnson and Ackeem Auguste. All have showcased impressive potential in regional cricket, earning this opportunity to refine their abilities against spin bowling, a critical area for success in subcontinental conditions.
Accompanied by West Indies Academy head coach Ramesh Subasinghe and assistant coach Rohan Nurse, the group departs for India on November 29. The program will feature a mix of technical training, including specific focus on spin, and match practice, with participants competing in a two-day game and three white-ball fixtures against local teams.
CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe expressed the importance of the initiative, highlighting its value for the players and the broader West Indies cricket community.
“CWI is committed to providing opportunities for our emerging players in overseas conditions. In this case, the Chennai Academy will host these seven batsmen and aim to equip them with skills and experience in navigating spinning conditions,” Bascombe said. “Our coaches will be on hand to ensure that the learnings in the period can be consolidated and extended to other players in the region through the academy.”
The program offers a comprehensive approach to player development, incorporating input from renowned coaches, including Academy Director Sriram Krishnamurthy and his expert team. Beyond honing technical skills, the camp emphasizes mental resilience and cultural adaptation, preparing players for the demands of international cricket.
The initiative reflects a commitment by CWI to modernize its development pathways, drawing inspiration from successful programs like those undertaken by the New Zealand Test team. The players will also serve as ambassadors upon their return, sharing their experiences and insights with territorial coaches and peers across the Caribbean.
This marks the first time CWI has deployed contracted academy players for such specialized overseas training, signaling a strategic shift towards holistic development. With plans to make this an annual feature of the cricket calendar, CWI continues to invest in the next generation of West Indies stars, ensuring the region remains competitive on the küresel stage.