19-point plan for West Indies' return to No.1 spot

Port of Spain, March 26 (IANS/CMC) A 19-point plan that aims to establish the West Indies as the No.1 performing team in world cricket, has been approved by the country’s governing Board.

The plan includes the implementation of a captain’s council, professionalisation of first class cricket, doubling of matches in the regional four day tournament, appointment of a coaching manager to implement the regional coaching programme and an elite coaching programme targeting current and former players, reports Xinhua of the plan approved by the Board of Directors of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

Under the plan, the West Indies Head Coach will be added to the Selection Panel and will have full voting rights while the captains will be added to the Selection Panel as non-voting members.

The programme also calls for structured year round cricket programme for all West Indies and all first class contracted players, 15 full time annually contracted players to each territorial board and professional administrative and coaching staff for each first class team.

The recommendations formed part of a comprehensive report on the West Indies Cricket system prepared and presented by Director of Cricket Richard Pybus.

The 33-page Pybus report follows a three month, region-wide study which he conducted between November 2013 and January 2014.

WICB Directors approved the recommendations during a meeting in Port of Spain over the weekend.