West Indies introduces new contract system based on cricket format

Starting July 1, Cricket West Indies will introduce a new system of different contracts for Test and ODI players. “The new retainer contracts aim to incentivise our players to play cricket for the WINDIES and be contracted to CWI,” said Chief Executive Officer of CWI, Johnny Grave in a post shared by Cricket West Indies. “All the new contracts offer increased remuneration to our WINDIES Men’s team as well as enhanced medical and insurance policies.”

As part of the new system, there will be three contracts: all-format contracts, red-ball contracts, and white-ball contracts.

Better Pay Day for Windies Players https://t.co/dstUxD0bK7 - historic contract agreement pic.twitter.com/uF3l73P2qj

— CricketWestIndies (@westindies) January 29, 2018

Only five players - Jason Holder, Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Devendra Bishoo - have been contracted for all formats, while six have been given red-ball contracts and five others white-ball contracts.

"The new retainer contracts aim to incentivise our players to play cricket for the WINDIES and be contracted to CWI," Grave added. "All the new contracts offer increased remuneration to our WINDIES men's team as well as enhanced medical and insurance policies. All future contracts for all of our professional cricketers will start on the same date, July 1, which will become the start of our cricketing year."

Under the new arrangement, a maximum of 11 all-format contracts can be awarded. For red-ball and white-ball contracts, the aggregate can go up to 11, and the total number of contracts is capped at 18.

Up to four new development contracts can also be offered to players in both red and white ball categories for those who are yet to fully establish themselves in the starting XIs and, therefore, not secured a full retainer contract, but are likely to be selected in the year ahead.