Saint Lucian cricketers Ackeem Auguste and Zaida James have earned Cricket West Indies (CWI) contracts, with Auguste receiving a men’s development contract and James retaining her place among the senior women’s contracted players for the 2026-2027 season.
The announcement was made in an official statement released by CWI on November 5.
James, a mainstay in the West Indies Women’s setup, returns as a centrally contracted player for the fourth consecutive time, having first been awarded a contract in the 2023-2024 season.
Auguste is among three Caribbean-based cricketers, the others being Jewel Andrew and Vitel Lawes, to receive development contract awards.
“Development contracts bring players into the international set-up, where we can support them most closely and guide their progress,” said Cricket West Indies Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe in the official statement.
“They are in contention for selection now. This gives them the best environment to keep growing while they compete for places.”
A stylish left-hander, Auguste has played nine ODIs and 10 T20 Internationals, amassing a half-century in a T20 against Bangladesh in October 2025 (50 off 25 balls) in Chattogram to help the West Indies complete a series sweep. The Gros Islet native was also signed by the Pretoria Capitals for R200 000 during the SA20 auction in October 2026.
Meanwhile, James has primarily played as a bowling all-rounder or lower-order batter. She has taken 13 wickets in 21 Women’s ODIs and 10 wickets in 24 Women’s T20 Internationals.
CWI also revealed several other players who earned international retainer contracts, including Saint Lucia Kings bowler Matthew Forde, Trinidadian Amir Jangoo, and Guyanese women’s international Mandy Mangru.
CWI has awarded senior retainer contracts to 15 men and 15 women, while three men have received development contracts. The agreements cover the period October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027.
The full list of contracted players is as follows:
Senior Men’s Retainer Contracts
John Campbell
Keacy Carty
Roston Chase (Test captain)
Matthew Forde
Justin Greaves
Shai Hope (ODI and T20I captain)
Akeal Hosein
Amir Jangoo
Alzarri Joseph
Shamar Joseph
Gudakesh Motie
Rovman Powell
Sherfane Rutherford
Jayden Seales
Jomel Warrican
Men’s Development Contracts
Jewel Andrew
Ackeem Auguste
Vitel Lawes
Senior Women’s Retainer Contracts
Aaliyah Alleyne
Shemaine Campbelle
Jahzara Claxton
Deandra Dottin
Afy Fletcher
Jannillea Glasgow
Realeanna Grimmond
Shawnisha Hector
Chinelle Henry
Zaida James
Mandy Mangru
Hayley Matthews (captain)
Ashmini Munisar
Karishma Ramharack
Stafanie Taylor
