Wallace questions players downtime ahead of grueling series next month

May 07, 2026 Sports

– Bascombe says CWI wants key players in shape ahead of home series

By Clifton Ross

Kaieteur Sports – Ex-West Indies opener Philo Wallace questioned why players are being afforded so much rest ahead of a busy international schedule in just a month’s time, during his recent appearance on the Mason and Guest show this past Tuesday.

During another weekly episode hosted by Bajan Journalist Andrew Mason, Wallace, who in recent times highlighted a number of good areas to which the CWI may still or could have done better as it relates to the current model and direction of cricket at the regional and international levels, has raised equally good concerns as to why players have not been more active ahead of next month’s international home series.

Wallace questions players downtime ahead of grueling series next month

Philo Wallace (right) during a coaching session.

“All we’re hearing is that we’re are resting players, Shamar Joseph is dealing with an issue, so that’s more downtime. We have Sri Lanka on our doorsteps but yet our main players are given downtime.”

The former batsman said that it is crucial for key players to have as much playing time as possible ahead of the forthcoming series; which is expected to be some stiff competition for the Caribbean side for the first time.

Windies will host the Sri Lankans starting June 3rd with 3 ODI’s followed by 3 T20Is, and 2 Test matches in Antigua, mapping out an extensive road filled with action to Kickstart the summer.

“We play six matches in Jamaica against Sri Lanka, then they come down to Antigua for two Test matches. So, it’s a lot of cricket and the guys’ muscles need to work into that, ” said Wallace.

He maintained that while the Windies system affords a good strength and conditioning structure to help keep players maintaining their peak playing shape, it is still not enough to help one get into the right match-ready shape.

“All the strength and conditioning will help to condition them, but the actual condition will come from playing time,” Wallace stated; as using tournament’s like the ongoing West Indies 4-Day Championships is an excellent means of players getting back to peak playing shape ahead of any international assignment.

Ottis Gibson

Meanwhile, CWI Director Miles Bascombe during the same programme, gave some insight into preparations revolving around a few of the West Indies’ key pieces who are being prepped ahead of the series ahead.

“Shai Hope is the only player not to feature so far. Alzarri (Joseph) I think returned at the end of the first round, so we will work with him and ensure he is ready ahead of the international series,” the CWI Director of Cricket pointed out.

Miles Bascombe

The Director believed that having all the key elements at their disposal but in great shape is one of the key endeavors of CWI with just weeks basically left until the Sri Lankan skirmish is set to bowl off.

“Remember what we are looking at is ensuring that we have all the players for the start of the international home series and Shai Hope has a huge role to play in that.”

Bascombe also cleared the air on former West Indies player and Head Coach Ottis Gibson, who has a new role within CWI as it relates to players development while acting as somewhat of a talent scout for international prospects.

“Ravi Rampaul is the bowling coach who is with the team so he will go on tour and he will support camps and so on. But Ottis’ role is to support camps and work with the next line of players who did not make the squad or identify players who have potential to play international cricket,” Bascombe ended.

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CWI, Miles Bascombe, Ottis Gibson, Philo Wallace, West Indies

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