Cricket West Indies CEO Jonny Grave has criticized the International Cricket Council and the top cricketing nation. In a passionate rant, Graves claimed that world cricket was doing everything in its power to ensure that the West Indies were never strong again.
Greve's comments came on the heels of West Indies' tour of Australia in January-February 2024. In the Test series, the inferior West Indies put up a sensational performance and won their first Test match on Australian soil in 27 years. Windies drew the Test series 1-1, courtesy of pacer Shamar Joseph, who was on his first tour.
“I think everyone is a bit tired of the phrase that world cricket needs a strong West Indies, but world cricket is trying to do everything possible at almost every level to make sure West Indies cricket doesn't get strong again. We definitely feel like we're doing that,” West Indies CEO Jonny Glave told Daniel Gallant on the podcast.
The failure of the ICC model: CWI CEO
Grave added that the ICC's revenue sharing model was wrong and only increased West Indies' profits on paper. Mr. Grave claimed that under the current model, the percentage of revenue he received has dropped from 7% to 5%.
“I think it's a result of frustration with that, as Ian Bishop himself said in his own words, this is a condescending tone. If you really want strong West Indies cricket, try a little harder. It's actually not that difficult to understand. ICC' headlines are bringing us more money, but their share of revenue has dropped from 7% to 5%. ,” Grave added.
“If we're all just thinking about ourselves, are we really acting as a community? Are we delivering the best product in the field?” says CWI CEO concluded.
AUS vs WI: Test series
It was an emotional Test series for West Indies, who were among the underdogs. In fact, former cricketer Rodney Hogg described the teams taking part in the series as pathetic and hopeless. Windies captain Kraigg Brathwaite faced his former player after winning the last Test match at the Gabba.
“I have to say there were two words that inspired us in this Test match. Rodney Hogg said we were 'pathetic and hopeless'. That was our inspiration. We wanted to show the world that we are not pathetic people. And I have to ask him, are these muscles big enough for him? [Shows his biceps]'' Mr Braithwaite said.
“We won a Test match in Australia. It makes a huge contribution to West Indies cricket. It means a lot. It's been years since we won a Test match here. But I think it's a huge contribution to West Indies cricket. The message is that this is a start. It's great. We're enjoying this, but this has to go on. We're very proud,” Braithwaite added. .
CWI is not profitable: CEO
Johnny Grave has also previously attacked the ICC. Mr Greve had claimed that West Indies did not benefit from the men's or women's Tour of Australia series as the majority of the revenue went to the Australian side.
“The revenue-sharing model is completely broken,” Mr. Glave said in January. “If we really want to operate as a cricket community, we are only as strong as our weakest team. We need to change the way we think about bilateral cricket.”
“CWI has spent over $2 million in the last four months sending teams to Australia, and CA has been receiving all the financial benefit from those series, but getting back zero dollars. That's really fair. And is it reasonable and sustainable?”
“We have a Test team, an ODI team, a T20I team there, and that's going to cost us over $1 million more in match fees and airfare. We spend more on airfare than any other team in the world. Spending,” Grave said. “I would like to refute any statement that West Indies are not interested in Test cricket because, percentage-wise, we spend more than anyone else on red-ball cricket.”
