Cricket West Indies (CWI) has launched a groundbreaking data-driven scouting system aimed at identifying and nurturing local cricket talent. This marks a pivotal shift from traditional scouting methods, introducing a more analytical and structured approach to talent identification.
The initiative features a new network of Senior Talent Managers, Territorial Talent Identifiers (TTIDs), and regional scouts who will collaborate to evaluate players comprehensively. The West Indies Championship serves as the first major platform for this system, where performances will be closely monitored beyond just scorecards and statistics. Skill sets, tactical acumen, and game awareness are now key focus areas.
Leading the effort are two Senior Talent Managers: Jamal Smith (Male) and Ann Browne-John (Female). They will oversee player data and work with analysts to assist in selection decisions. Supporting them are six TTIDs assigned to different regions: Henderson Broomes (Barbados), Ramnaresh Sarwan (Guyana), Delroy Morgan (Jamaica), Samuel Spencer (Leeward Islands), Gibran Mohammed (Trinidad & Tobago), and Craig Emmanuel (Windward Islands). Additionally, four regional scouts—Fernix Thomas (Dominica), Stacy-Ann Adams (St. Vincent), Anthony Gray (Trinidad & Tobago), and Shane Jeffers (St. Kitts)—will play a vital role in evaluating talent during the championship.
Miles Bascombe, CWI Director of Cricket, emphasized the importance of this shift. “We are moving beyond relying solely on scorecards,” he said. “This system ensures performances are analyzed with context, focusing on skill sets, tactical awareness, and game intelligence. By collecting real-time data and conducting consistent analysis, we are making informed decisions about player development.”
For more details on the West Indies Championship, visit CWI’s Official Website.
A Strategic Approach to Talent Identification
The TTIDs have been tasked with attending matches and training sessions to assess players’ technical skills, physical attributes, and mental resilience. Their responsibilities also include compiling detailed scouting reports, maintaining performance records, and collaborating with coaches, selectors, and high-performance staff to refine development pathways.
Bascombe highlighted that this approach is not just about numbers but also qualitative assessments. “Players will now be evaluated by multiple talent operatives, ensuring no talent goes unnoticed,” he added.
This initiative comes at a critical time for West Indies cricket, as both the men’s and women’s teams have struggled with consistency in recent years. While there have been highlights like Shamar Joseph’s Test win over Australia in Brisbane and the victory against Pakistan in Multan, overall results have been lackluster. The men’s team finished near the bottom in the latest World Test Championship cycle and failed to qualify for the upcoming ODI Champions Trophy. Meanwhile, the women’s team, once T20 world champions, now ranks outside the top five in both ICC ODI and T20I standings.
To stay updated on global cricket rankings and team performances, check out the ICC’s Official Rankings Page.
A Step Toward Restoring Glory
With this new framework, CWI aims to rebuild its talent pipeline and restore West Indies cricket to its former glory. Fans can follow live updates and analysis of the West Indies Championship on platforms like ESPNcricinfo.
This data-driven approach reflects CWI’s commitment to modernizing its systems and ensuring that the next generation of cricketers is equipped to compete at the highest level.
