Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on Cricket

For the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), cricket is not merely a sport; it is a major integrating factor and a platform through which the region’s small nations have collectively stood tall on the global stage for decades. Recognized by Heads of Government as a “public good,” the management and development of West Indies cricket are central to the region's emotional, cultural, and economic well-being.

History and Evolution
The Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee (PMSC) on Cricket was established in 1996. Its creation was prompted by a dramatic decline in the performance of West Indies teams, with a mandate to support a rebuilding process for both team performance and the regional organization of the sport.

The role of the PMSC expanded significantly during the region’s successful bid to host the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup 2007, which saw Caribbean governments invest substantially in large-scale infrastructure and stadia. In 2016, to streamline efforts, CARICOM merged two separate committees (one focused on governance and another on general cricket matters) into a single Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on Cricket with a broad mandate to examine all matters related to the development of the game.

Leadership and Governance
The PMSC is an open-ended committee, though its core membership has historically included the Prime Ministers of Barbados, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Leadership of the sub-committee has transitioned between several regional heads, including:

   Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves (St. Vincent and the Grenadines)
   Dr. the Hon. Keith Mitchell (Grenada)
   Dr. the Hon. Keith Rowley (Trinidad and Tobago), appointed Chairman in July 2023
   His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali (Guyana), who led discussions for the sub-committee in 2025

Strategic Reform and Reports
A primary focus of the PMSC is restoring the image and status of West Indies cricket regionally and internationally. To achieve this, the committee has overseen and reviewed multiple high-level governance reports, including:

   The Patterson Report (2007): On the governance of West Indies Cricket.
   The V. Eudine Barriteau Report (2015): From a review panel that recommended the immediate dissolution of the then West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).
   The Wehby Report (2020): On governance reform of Cricket West Indies (CWI).

Current Mandate and Action Plan
The PMSC continues to urge Cricket West Indies (CWI) to undertake thorough and transparent reviews of its leadership, management, and economic models. Recent initiatives include:

   Stakeholder Engagement: Convening meetings with players (WIPA), CWI, and the regional public to resolve industrial relations and selection criteria.
   New Special Committee: As of 2025, the PMSC is establishing a committee comprising Cricket Legends, the private sector, and academia to synthesize past reports into a concrete Action Plan.
   Economic Growth: Leveraging cricket to inspire a new generation and unlock fresh avenues for economic growth across the CARICOM region.

CARICOM remains committed to bold, strategic reforms designed to rebuild public confidence and restore West Indies cricket to the pinnacle of global excellence in all formats