Cricket West Indies (CWI) has introduced a data-driven scouting system to identify and develop local talent, marking a significant shift from traditional scouting methods. A newly established network of Senior Talent Managers, Territorial Talent Identifiers (TTIDs), and scouts will now work in tandem to bring a more analytical and structured approach to talent identification.

With the West Indies Championship serving as the first major assignment for this system, performances will be closely tracked and assessed. This new methodology moves beyond just scorecards and statistics, taking into account skill sets, tactical acumen, and game awareness.

Two senior talent managers, Jamal Smith (Male) and Ann Browne-John (Female), have been appointed to oversee player data and collaborate with analysts to assist in selection decisions.

They will work alongside six TTIDs assigned to different regions: Henderson Broomes (Barbados), Ramnaresh Sarwan (Guyana), Delroy Morgan (Jamaica), Samuel Spencer (Leeward Islands), Gibran Mohammed (Trinidad & Tobago), and Craig Emmanuel (Windward Islands).

Additionally, four regional scouts—Fernix Thomas (Dominica), Stacy-Ann Adams (St. Vincent), Anthony Gray (Trinidad & Tobago), and Shane Jeffers (St. Kitts)—will assist in evaluating talent during the West Indies Championship.

CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe emphasised the significance of this shift, stating that the new system ensures fairer and more informed talent identification.

“We are moving beyond just relying on what we see on scorecards. This system ensures that performances are seen with context and with a focus on the skill sets displayed, tactical acumen and game awareness. We are collecting real-time data, analysing performances consistently, and making informed decisions about player development.”

The TTIDs have been tasked with responsibilities such as attending matches and training sessions to assess players’ technical skills, physical attributes, and mental resilience.

• Scouting: Attending matches and training sessions to assess players’ technical skills, physical attributes, and mental strength.
• Analysis: Compiling detailed scouting reports and maintaining player performance records.
• Collaboration: Working closely with coaches, selectors, and high-performance staff to refine the development pathway.

Bascombe stressed that this data-driven approach is not solely about numbers but also about qualitative assessments that ensure a targeted approach to player development.

“Players in the region will now be seen and evaluated by multiple talent identification operatives, resulting in more information gathering, and better-balanced data on performances. With this accountability metric in place, our network of scouts ensures that no talent goes unnoticed.”

The introduction of this new scouting framework comes at a crucial time for West Indies cricket, as both the senior men’s and women’s teams have struggled to maintain consistent performances in recent years. While there have been occasional bright spots, such as the Shamar Joseph-inspired Test win over Australia in Brisbane and the victory over Pakistan in Multan, overall results have been disappointing.

The men finished near the bottom in the latest World Test Championship cycle and failed to qualify for the upcoming ODI Champions Trophy. The women’s team, once T20 world champions, now finds itself outside the top five in both the ICC’s ODI and T20I rankings.