WI vs AUS 2025: 'This loss hurts deeply' - CWI call legends to guide Windies in rebuilding phase

Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Kishore Shallow stated that they are having plans to include cricket greats such as Sir Viv Richards and Brian Lara to improve the West Indies line-up that were bundled out for 27 runs in its second innings against Australia. This now stands as the second-lowest total in red-ball internationals, and the lowest in Pink-Ball Tests' history, something that the Roston Chase-led side wouldn't be proud of.

The Caribbeans struggled throughout their batting in the three-match Test series and has not won a Test series since 2022-23, when it defeated Zimbabwe in their own territory. Since then, they have drawn three and lost five series, which is disappointing to say the least.

“The result hurts deeply, not only because of how we lost, but because of what West Indies Cricket has always represented to our people: pride, identity, and possibility. There will be some sleepless nights ahead for many of us, including the players, who I know feel this loss just as heavily. We are in a rebuilding phase, steadily investing in the next generation, and reigniting the spirit that has long made West Indies cricket a force in the world,” Shallow said in a statement as quoted by NDTV Sports.

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During the late 1970s, the Caribbean side was recognized as world champions, a title they held on to them throughout the 1980s, with the help of players like Richards, Curtly Ambrose. Now, Richards will be part of the West Indies rescue package and Shallow called for an emergency meeting to review the Australian Test series loss.

The engagement is not ceremonial, says CWI

West Indies' bowling were on top-notch which almost resembled the days when the pacers dominated the world of cricket, but batting has gone down which led the team badly in several situations.

“To strengthen the discussions, I have extended invitations to three of our greatest batsmen ever: Clive Lloyd, Vivian Richards and Brian Lara. They will join past greats Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Desmond Haynes and Ian Bradshaw,” Shallow further said.

However, it remains uncertain whether the support group will prove effective in the shorter formats of ODI and Twenty-20 cricket. The West Indies lost both series in England earlier this year. On the positive side, however, the Caribbean team managed to draw an ODI series and secured a win in Ireland.

“This engagement is not ceremonial. These are men who helped define our golden eras, and their perspectives will be invaluable as we shape the next phase of our cricket development,” he said.