Kraigg Brathwaite Steps Down as West Indies Test Captain; Hope To Lead T20 Team

The West Indies Men’s team is entering a new chapter in its storied history with a major leadership transition across formats, beginning with Kraigg Brathwaite officially stepping down as Test captain. The change comes ahead of the team’s upcoming home series against Australia, which marks the start of a new ICC World Test Championship cycle.

Brathwaite, who has served as captain since March 2021, informed Cricket West Indies (CWI) leadership of his intentions earlier this year, prior to the conclusion of the team’s successful tour of Pakistan. His decision was made with an eye on continuity and ensuring a smooth transition for the incoming leadership.

In a statement, CWI confirmed, “Brathwaite wanted to ensure the team had a period of transition before his departure. As a result, he has submitted his resignation ahead of the home series against Australia, giving the new leadership time to establish itself. This series will be particularly special, allowing Brathwaite, who is two matches shy of 100 test matches, to double down on his batting without added responsibility.”

Brathwaite’s tenure will be remembered for several historic achievements. Most notably, he led the West Indies to their first Test victory in Australia in 27 years, a thrilling eight-run win in Brisbane in 2024. Earlier this year, he also captained the team to a landmark win in Pakistan, levelling the series with a victory that ended a 34-year drought in that country.

Under his stewardship, the team also defeated England at home in 2022 and recorded a 2-0 series win over Bangladesh in tough conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.

CWI expressed its appreciation for Brathwaite’s contribution, stating, “CWI extends its deepest gratitude to Kraigg Brathwaite for his years of service as captain, recognizing his dedication to West Indies cricket and his leadership in guiding the Test team to significant milestones. A new captain will be named in the coming weeks.”

The leadership shake-up continues beyond the red-ball game, with Shai Hope appointed as the new T20I captain, in addition to his current role leading the ODI team. He replaces Rovman Powell, who had held the position since May 2023.

Under Powell, the West Indies saw a significant T20 revival, winning home series against India, England, and South Africa, and advancing to the Super 8 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. During his tenure, the team climbed from ninth to fifth in the ICC T20I rankings.

In recognizing Powell’s contribution, CWI said, “CWI thanks Rovman Powell for his leadership and for elevating the team to new heights. His efforts have set a strong foundation for the future, and his contributions to West Indies cricket remain invaluable. This will include optimizing the chances of Powell contributing in a more defined way to the team as one of the leading batsmen in T20 cricket.”

CWI Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, lauded both Brathwaite and Powell while endorsing the leadership shift.

“Kraigg Brathwaite has been an outstanding leader for our Test team, guiding the squad with discipline, resilience, and a deep understanding of the game. His contributions have been invaluable, and under his leadership, we have witnessed historic moments that will be remembered for years to come. We thank Kraigg for his service as captain and look forward to his continued impact as a senior player.

“In terms of our white-ball leadership, after receiving the advice of Head Coach Daren Sammy on the intention to transition to Shai Hope, we spoke to Rovman Powell, who received the decision with professionalism and grace. I have expressed to him that he ought to feel dignified by his contributions to West Indies cricket, as he has played a crucial role in elevating our T20 team to new heights. His leadership has left a strong foundation, and we are grateful for his efforts.”

Head Coach Daren Sammy added his support for Hope’s appointment, pointing to the ODI captain’s temperament and tactical acumen.

“Shai Hope’s appointment signals a progressive shift for West Indies cricket, given his success with the 50 over team in the last 18 months. As the team continues its evolution, Hope blends instinctive decision-making with analytical precision, using in-depth match data and player performance insights to shape strategy. Shai is a strong believer in team performances and his meticulous preparation, coupled with his calm and composed demeanor under pressure, makes him an ideal leader at this stage.”

As the West Indies prepare for their home Test series against Australia and upcoming white-ball tours to England and Ireland, CWI believes these leadership changes will usher in a new era of competitiveness and consistency across all formats.

“CWI is confident that this transition will provide stability and direction, ensuring West Indies cricket continues its upward trajectory,” the release concluded.