On a sunny afternoon in Antigua, news rolled out from the headquarters of Cricket West Indies CWI which brought a sense of immense gratitude and a touch of melancholy. The esteemed contracts of Dr. Desmond Haynes (in picture) and Mrs. Ann Browne-John, the lead selectors of CWI, came to a conclusion effective June 30, 2024. #WestIndies
The cricketing fraternity of the West Indies and beyond would remember the day Dr. Haynes and Mrs. Browne-John stepped into their roles as lead selectors. Dr. Haynes, a legendary cricketing figure, began his tenure in January 2022, while the equally respected Mrs. Browne-John took charge in October 2019. Their contributions to the organization have been nothing short of significant.
Miles Bascombe, the Director of Cricket at CWI, took a moment to express his heartfelt gratitude for their services, "We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Haynes and Mrs. Browne-John for their dedicated service as Lead Selectors. Their insights and commitment have been invaluable to our cricketing endeavors."
As their roles as lead selectors come to an end, CWI remains optimistic about their contributions in other spheres of the sport. Additionally, the organization is looking forward to improving and restructuring the selection system by implementing new processes.
Under the leadership of Dr. Haynes and Mrs. Browne-John, the West Indies teams have seen significant improvement in their ICC rankings for both Men and Women. This achievement can be attributed to their unwavering dedication and a deep understanding of the dynamics of cricket.
This transition phase will see the introduction of a new system post its ratification at the upcoming CWI Board of Directors meeting scheduled for later this month.
As for the fixtures, a series of thrilling matches are lined up for the week, featuring a mix of men's, women's, and under-19 teams. The excitement continues into the next week and the following month with matches ranging from Test series to T20Is.
In conclusion, the journey of Dr. Haynes and Mrs. Browne-John with CWI is a testament to their dedication and love for the sport. As we bid them adieu from their roles as lead selectors, we also look forward to the new changes and improvements that lie ahead for West Indies cricket.
As always, the heart of cricket continues to beat, pulsating with the passion and dedication of those who serve the sport on and off the field.
Picture credit: CC BY-SA 4.0, via Flickr
