The Contract System That Could Transform West Indies Cricket | PowettPlay Podcast

Jordan Shannon and West Indies international Kieran Powell return on the PowettPlay Podcast to discuss a bold new proposal for the future of West Indies cricket, centred around a comprehensive three-tier player contract system designed to create greater structure, accountability and long-term development across the region.

The conversation begins with Tier One, which would be reserved for the West Indies’ leading multi-format players those who consistently represent the international side across Test, ODI and T20 cricket. Jordan and Kieran discuss why these players should sit at the top of the structure, with contracts reflecting both their value to the team and the responsibility that comes with representing the West Indies across multiple formats.

Tier Two would then focus on players who are established specialists in one format or who regularly fill the remaining places within West Indies squads. The hosts explore how this could give single-format players greater security while still creating healthy competition for progression into the highest contract tier.

The most important long-term element of the proposal comes through Tier Three, which would be designed specifically for high-potential players identified for future international cricket. Rather than simply selecting young players for occasional camps or A-team tours, Jordan and Kieran propose placing these prospects into a structured two-to-three-year development cycle with dedicated coaching, physical preparation, technical support and regular monitoring.

Under the proposed system, those Tier Three players could spend significant time working with specialist staff based at Cricket West Indies headquarters, giving them a consistent development environment rather than relying solely on short domestic seasons to improve their game.

The aim is to create a clear and visible player pathway from regional cricket to West Indies international cricket, allowing players to understand exactly what is required to move from domestic competition into the development system, then into specialist international roles and ultimately towards becoming established multi-format players.

Jordan and Kieran also discuss the need to reconsider how regional contracts are structured. By reviewing salary levels and potentially redistributing resources more effectively, the hosts believe Cricket West Indies could create a more competitive environment while ensuring the players with genuine international potential receive the support required to progress.

Regular training camps would form another major part of the system, bringing contracted players together more frequently throughout the year to work on technical development, fitness, tactical understanding and team culture.

The wider goal is simple: create a West Indies cricket structure where selection, development and contracts are connected rather than operating as separate parts of the system.

Could a three-tier contract model help Cricket West Indies retain its best players? Would a dedicated two-to-three-year development programme produce more international-ready cricketers? And does the regional contract system need to change to create stronger competition for places?

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