“I think it is a clear indication from CWI that Barbados is being ostracised.”- Philo Wallace

Cricket West Indies director, Conde Riley, and former West Indies opener Philo Wallace both expressed displeasure over Barbados not being selected to host any matches in the 2023 CWI Four-Day Championship.

Barbados Cricket Association president De Riley said he doesn’t buy the reasoning behind the problematic decision to schedule flights to the island.

“When things like this happen, I realize why CWI is where it is. But I know that if you want to get to Barbados, it is the same way you can get to Antigua or Grenada or St Vincent, you can get to Barbados.” Riley told listeners of the Mason & Guest program on Tuesday.

Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) president De Riley said he doesn’t buy the reasoning behind the problematic decision to schedule flights to the island.

“No. You know why? It makes no sense. You say that the problem is travel, so how do they get down to the other islands? I never went to school in August and when I hear that ignorance, I just smile.”

Also, former opening batsman Philo Wallace also disagreed with this decision taken by CWI and said that he was surprised by the treatment of the current champions of the first class. He explained further,

“I was surprised that the defending champions of first-class cricket has not been given any first-class games in Barbados… I think it is a clear indication from CWI that Barbados is being ostracised…

“You cannot have Barbados as champions not being able to have home games and host other matches as well. I would like to hear from CWI who sets out the fixtures and who decides where these games are being played.”

Ahead of the 2023 edition of the West Indies Championship, there will be five rounds of four-day action featuring the six teams in the regional bracket – the defending champions Barbados Pride, Guyana Harpy Eagles, Jamaica Scorpions, Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Trinidad and Tobago Red Forces.

The first two rounds will be held from February 1 to 11 in Grenada (National Stadium) and Antigua (CCG and SVRS). There will then be a break for the final three rounds from March 15 to April 1 before the tournament resumes, after which the champions will be crowned and presented with the Headley-Weeks Trophy.

The matches will be played at Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA), Queen’s Park Oval (QPO), and Diego Martin Sports Complex (DMSC).

West Indies Championship 2023 Schedule: February 1-4: Round 1 in Grenada/Antigua, February 8-11: Round 2 in Grenada/Antigua, March 15-18: Round 3 in Trinidad, March 22-25: Round 4 in Trinidad, March 29- April 1: Round 5 in Trinidad