West Indies will begin the next World Test Championship cycle under a new captain after Cricket West Indies announced Kraigg Brathwaite’s decision to step down from leadership duties. The board revealed that Brathwaite had already expressed his intention to leave the position at the end of the Pakistan tour this year.
The opener has relinquished the role with three months left for his side’s next assignment, at home against Australia. The series will also see Brathwaite earn his 100th Test cap. Under his tenure, West Indies defeated England at home in 2022, created history by securing an exhilarating win on Australian soil for the first time in 27 years and most recently drew level in a series in Pakistan. In all, Brathwaite was at the helm of West Indies in 39 Tests, winning ten of those.
WEST INDIES WIN!
ONE OF THE BIGGEST UPSETS IN TEST MATCH HISTORY!#AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/V2IYEt3y2P
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 28, 2024
CWI confirmed that the new Test captain will be appointed in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, in the white-ball set up, ODI skipper Shai Hope will now assume the responsibility of the T20I side too. The board revealed that the decision was taken following advice from head coach Daren Sammy.
“Kraigg Brathwaite has been an outstanding leader for our Test team, guiding the squad with discipline, resilience, and a deep understanding of the game,” Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe said. “His contributions have been invaluable, and under his leadership, we have witnessed historic moments that will be remembered for years to come. We thank Kraigg for his service as captain and look forward to his continued impact as a senior player.”
Sammy lavished praise on the new white-ball skipper Hope following the development. “Shai Hope’s appointment signals a progressive shift for West Indies cricket, given his success with the 50 over team in the last 18 months,” Sammy said. “As the team continues its evolution, Hope blends instinctive decision-making with analytical precision, using in-depth match data and player performance insights to shape strategy. Shai is a strong believer in team performances and his meticulous preparation, coupled with his calm and composed demeanor under pressure, makes him an ideal leader at this stage.”
