Four Saint Lucians have been offered Cricket West Indies (CWI) retainer contracts, according to a release from that organisation on September 30th. Senior men’s T20 player Ackeem Auguste, senior women’s players Qiana Joseph and Zaida James, and women’s Under-19 player Selena Ross were all included in the list for the 2025-2026 season, which commenced on October 1.
CWI announced that the board of directors had approved the recommendations for International Retainer Contracts, to be offered to both West Indies men’s and women’s players following the 2024-25 evaluation period, with selections based on performance and projected involvement in upcoming fixtures. This contract cycle also includes the continuation and expansion of multi-year agreements, designed to reward consistent performers, provide greater security, and strengthen CWI’s ability to retain top talent.
“We have placed a premium on both current performance and long-term potential, while keeping a close eye on our broader strategy of building towards major global tournaments, in addition to ensuring stability for our top performers, and aligning our pathways with long-term success for West Indies cricket,” said CWI’s Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe.
One of the most recent senior West Indies debutants, Auguste is in receipt of a Men’s Academy contract. Just turned 22, the classy top-order batter is fresh off a strong season with Saint Lucia Kings in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League, which led to his selection for a three-match T20 International series against Nepal. He ended the series with an unbeaten knock of 41, and was the second-leading run-scorer for an inexperienced regional team.
Left-handed all-rounders Joseph and James have been offered Senior Women’s deals. Both were given one-year deals in 2024. Joseph recently won the Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League with the Barbados Royals. She has hit five international half-centuries this year, as she grows into her role as a hard-hitting opener. James, just 20, has been able to fulfill various positions with bat and ball for the senior team, whilst providing a spark in the field.
Left-arm fast bowler Ross is one of 14 players retained under the rubric of the Women’s Academy. Between the CWI T20 Blaze, the CG United Women’s Super50 Cup, and the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup, the 19-year-old Ross has taken nine wickets in 13 matches this year.
