Kraigg Brathwaite Resigns as Windies Test Captain; Shai Hope Takes Charge of White-Ball Team
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Synopsis
Kraigg Brathwaite has stepped down as West Indies Test captain as Shai Hope takes over the white-ball captaincy. The successor for Brathwaite will be announced soon, marking a new era for the team.
Key Takeaways
- Kraigg Brathwaite resigns as Test captain.
- Shai Hope appointed white-ball captain.
- New Test captain to be announced shortly.
- Brathwaite led historic wins against Australia and Pakistan.
- Hope's leadership expected to advance the team's evolution.
Antigua, March 31 (NationPress) - Cricket West Indies (CWI) has confirmed that Kraigg Brathwaite has stepped down from his role as Test captain, with an announcement of his successor expected in the upcoming weeks. In a significant move, Shai Hope has been appointed as the captain for the white-ball formats.
The forthcoming home series will initiate the new ICC World Test Championship cycle, featuring Test matches against Australia. Meanwhile, the tour to England and Ireland will see a new T20 captain assume the position in preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Brathwaite had communicated his intention to resign to the CWI leadership earlier this year, before the conclusion of the successful West Indies tour in Pakistan. Recognizing the need for continuity, he aimed to provide a transition period for the team prior to his exit. His resignation comes ahead of the home series against Australia, allowing the new leadership ample time to establish itself. This series is particularly meaningful as Brathwaite is just two matches away from reaching 100 Test appearances, enabling him to focus on his batting without the weight of captaincy.
During his tenure, the West Indies achieved their first Test victory on Australian soil in 27 years, clinching a thrilling eight-run win in Brisbane in 2024. Earlier this year, he guided the team to a historic Test victory against Pakistan, leveling the series for the first time in 34 years.
His captaincy also saw the West Indies triumph over England at home in 2022 and secure a 2-0 series victory against Bangladesh in challenging conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
“Kraigg Brathwaite has been an exceptional leader for our Test squad, steering the team with discipline, resilience, and a profound understanding of the game. His contributions have been vital, and we have experienced historic moments under his leadership that will be cherished for years. We express our gratitude to Kraigg for his service as captain and look forward to his ongoing influence as a senior player,” stated CWI Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe.
On the other hand, the white-ball team enters a new chapter as Hope takes on the role of T20I captain in addition to his current ODI captaincy. He succeeds Rovman Powell, who has led the T20 side commendably since May 2023.
Under Powell’s stewardship, the West Indies experienced a revival in T20 cricket, achieving home series victories against India, England, and South Africa. He also led the team to the Super 8 stage at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and was instrumental in the team's rise from 9th to 5th position in the ICC T20I rankings.
“Shai Hope’s appointment represents a progressive shift in West Indies cricket, reflecting his success with the 50-over team over the past 18 months. As the team evolves, Hope combines instinctive decision-making with analytical insight, utilizing extensive match data and player performance evaluations to guide strategy.
“Shai is a firm advocate for team collaboration, and his thorough preparation, along with his calm demeanor under pressure, makes him an exemplary leader at this critical juncture,” commented head coach Daren Sammy.
