Cricket West Indies unveils women team’s central contracts for the 2025-26 season

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has officially unveiled the list of players awarded international retainer contracts for the 2025-26 season, marking a significant step in the board’s ongoing efforts to stabilize and strengthen the women’s team. The contracts, effective from October 1, 2025, were approved by the CWI Board of Directors following a comprehensive evaluation of performances and future strategic planning for global tournaments. A total of 13 senior women have been retained, with two development players receiving starter contracts, reflecting a balanced approach between rewarding experience and nurturing emerging talent.

Strategic retentions and new additions in the list

The senior women’s list features core performers such as Hayley Matthews, Stafanie Taylor, and Deandra Dottin, who continue to anchor the squad with their leadership and all-round capabilities. Notably, Jannillea Glasgow and Shawnisha Hector have been promoted to the senior retainer list after consistent performances, replacing Shamilia Connell, Cherry Ann Fraser, Chedean Nation, and Rashada Williams, who were not retained.

This shift underscores CWI’s focus on rewarding current form and long-term potential. The inclusion of development players Jahzara Claxton and Realeanna Grimmond under starter contracts highlights a structured pathway for young talent, aligning with CWI’s broader high-performance strategy. Additionally, 14 players have been awarded Women’s Academy contracts, ensuring a robust pipeline for future international duties.

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Multi-Year deals signal long-term vision of CWI

A landmark development in this contract cycle is the continuation of multi-year agreements, first introduced under the 2024 Memorandum of Understanding between CWI and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA). Taylor, and Campbelle are among the elite group of women awarded two-year contracts, providing financial security and incentivizing sustained excellence.

This initiative reflects CWI’s commitment to player retention and parity, with the board aiming to achieve equal match fees for men’s and women’s players by October 2027. Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe emphasized that the selections were based on both on-field performance and alignment with long-term goals, including preparation for major ICC events. The women’s team, despite missing the recent ODI World Cup, has shown promise with a T20I series win over South Africa, and these contracts aim to build momentum ahead of future challenges.