Antigua & Barbuda - The home of Cricket West Indies

Cricket is truly the heart and soul of communities all around the West Indies, and, simply speaking, cricket matters much more to West Indians than most outsiders can understand. The sport brings incredible emotions of celebration, frustration, elation, pride, and anxiety to the people. But not only that, it brings economic benefit to islands, as was recently seen when thousands of British fans descended on Antigua for the international Test match. West Indies cricket is unique. It is the only team that represents a group of nations, not only in the cricket world but in all international sports. This gives rise to both national and regional pride as the islands are brought together with one goal and passion in mind.

West Indies cricket is unique. It is the only team that represents a group of nations, not only in the cricket world but in all international sports.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) is there to grow, guide and protect cricket throughout these 16 English-speaking Caribbean countries, which form the West Indies for the men’s, women’s and age-group teams. Its job is an important one as it isn’t an exaggeration to say that the onfield performance of these teams shapes the mood of the people of the region. West Indies cricket, at its best, has always been a representation of the hopes and aspirations of the people of the Caribbean and has demonstrated time and time again how small Caribbean nations can work together and achieve great things. Although each island has its own distinct personality and character, cricket has been one of the few areas of a common West Indian culture and experience where together they have been able to punch above their weight and achieve great things over a period of several generations. With the headquarters of CWI being based at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) in Antigua, cricket is literally at the heart of the twin-island nation. Already bringing much employment and career development to the island, this facility has advanced plans in place for the CCG to become the region’s centre for high-performance cricket academies, coaching education and sportainment. Not only will the facility tell the story of the rich legacy of West Indies cricket, but it will focus is on finding and developing the talent of young West Indies cricketers in whose hands this legacy falls for future generations.

By Nelecia Yeates, General Manager, Coolidge Cricket Ground