Cricket West Indies has announced its international retainer contracts for the 2026–27 season, confirming a combination of established internationals, returning players and emerging talent. The announcement, made on November 5, 2026, includes 15 senior men’s contracts, 15 senior women’s contracts and three men’s development contracts.
The new agreements cover October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027. They arrive at an important point for West Indies cricket, with both national teams preparing for major qualification challenges.
John Campbell returns to the men’s contracted group for the first time since 2019, while Matthew Forde, Amir Jangoo and Mandy Mangru receive their first senior international retainers. The decisions reward recent performances while maintaining experienced leadership across the teams.
West Indies Confirm 33 International Contracts
The new contract structure includes 30 senior players and three men on development agreements. Cricket West Indies has retained several experienced names while introducing players who have strengthened their positions through international performances.
| Contract category | Number of players | Key details |
|---|---|---|
| Senior men’s contracts | 15 | Includes Hope, Chase, Campbell and Jangoo |
| Senior women’s contracts | 15 | Includes Matthews, Dottin, Taylor and Mangru |
| Men’s development contracts | 3 | Andrew, Auguste and Lawes |
| Total | 33 | Contracts for the 2026–27 season |
The agreements cover a defined 12-month period, but the announcement does not disclose individual salaries or contract values.
Cricket West Indies has connected its selections to the immediate competitive demands facing both teams. The men’s squad is preparing for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier, while the women’s team faces an important ODI series against Pakistan.
Full West Indies Men’s Central Contract List
The senior men’s group contains a mixture of specialist batters, all-rounders and bowlers across different international formats.
| Player | Contract status |
|---|---|
| John Campbell | Senior |
| Keacy Carty | Senior |
| Roston Chase | Senior — Test captain |
| Matthew Forde | Senior — first retainer |
| Justin Greaves | Senior |
| Shai Hope | Senior — ODI and T20I captain |
| Akeal Hosein | Senior |
| Amir Jangoo | Senior — first retainer |
| Alzarri Joseph | Senior |
| Shamar Joseph | Senior |
| Gudakesh Motie | Senior |
| Rovman Powell | Senior |
| Sherfane Rutherford | Senior |
| Jayden Seales | Senior |
| Jomel Warrican | Senior |
The selection preserves continuity in several important areas. Shai Hope remains responsible for the ODI and T20I teams, while Roston Chase continues as Test captain. Keacy Carty, Chase, Justin Greaves and Jomel Warrican are entering the final year of their existing two-year agreements.
John Campbell Returns After Six Years
John Campbell’s return is one of the most notable developments in the announcement. The opening batter has received an international retainer for the first time since 2019 after producing important performances across formats.
Campbell scored his maiden Test century against India in Delhi in October 2025, making 115. He also returned to ODI cricket after a six-year absence and marked the occasion with a 68-ball century against India in Guwahati in September 2026.
His inclusion provides another experienced option at the top of the batting order. It also shows that players outside the contracted group can work their way back through performances. For West Indies, strengthening batting consistency will be particularly important during the next World Cup qualification campaign.
Matthew Forde and Amir Jangoo Earn First Retainers
Matthew Forde and Amir Jangoo have secured their first senior international retainer contracts following impressive contributions. Forde has become an important option with the new ball. Over the previous year, he took 10 wickets during the powerplay in T20 internationals and six in ODIs, making him West Indies’ leading powerplay wicket-taker across the two white-ball formats.
Jangoo has made his strongest impression in Test cricket. He scored a career-best 233 against Sri Lanka in Antigua in June 2026 and shared a 401-run sixth-wicket partnership with Roston Chase, establishing a new Test record for that wicket.
His recent form continued against Bangladesh, where he reached an unbeaten century on the opening day of the second World Test Championship Test. Both players strengthen areas that will matter during the coming international schedule. Forde offers early wickets in limited-overs cricket, while Jangoo adds another substantial batting option.
Three Players Receive Development Contracts
Cricket West Indies has also named three players on men’s development contracts:
- Jewel Andrew: A young international player included in the development group.
- Ackeem Auguste: Receives his first international contract.
- Vitel Lawes: Also receives his first international contract.
All three have already represented West Indies internationally, so these agreements are not simply rewards for domestic promise. The development category gives the board a separate mechanism for supporting players who may become more prominent in future international squads.
For Auguste and Lawes, the announcement represents an important step in their professional careers. Their progress will be worth following as West Indies balances immediate qualification objectives with longer-term squad development.
Full West Indies Women’s Central Contract List
The women’s contracted group contains 15 players, with Hayley Matthews continuing as captain.
| Player | Contract status |
|---|---|
| Aaliyah Alleyne | Senior |
| Shemaine Campbelle | Senior |
| Jahzara Claxton | Senior |
| Deandra Dottin | Senior |
| Afy Fletcher | Senior |
| Jannillea Glasgow | Senior |
| Realeanna Grimmond | Senior |
| Shawnisha Hector | Senior |
| Chinelle Henry | Senior |
| Zaida James | Senior |
| Mandy Mangru | Senior — first retainer |
| Hayley Matthews | Senior — captain |
| Ashmini Munisar | Senior |
| Karishma Ramharack | Senior |
| Stafanie Taylor | Senior |
The selection retains several experienced international performers while recognizing newer players.
Deandra Dottin and Chinelle Henry are entering the final year of their two-year contracts. Matthews remains the central figure in the team’s leadership structure. The squad’s immediate attention will turn to its December ODI series against Pakistan, a competition with significant implications for World Cup qualification.
Mandy Mangru Receives Her First Senior Contract
Mandy Mangru is the new addition attracting attention in the women’s contracted group. She receives her first international retainer after being part of the West Indies squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Her selection reflects the board’s recognition of players who have contributed to the national team’s recent progress. The women’s group also includes established names such as Matthews, Dottin and Taylor, maintaining a foundation of international experience.
That balance will be important as the team prepares for upcoming ODI assignments, where consistency across multiple matches can determine qualification outcomes.
Why the 2026–27 Contracts Matter for World Cup Qualification
The timing of the announcement is significant because both teams face qualification objectives during the contract period. Cricket West Indies has identified two immediate priorities: the men’s World Cup Qualifier in February and the women’s ODI series against Pakistan in December.
| Team | Upcoming priority | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| West Indies Men | ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier, February 2027 | Opportunity to secure a place at the 2027 tournament |
| West Indies Women | Three ODIs against Pakistan, December 2026 | Important for automatic World Cup qualification |
| Men’s development group | Continued international development | Builds options for future selection |
The men’s objective is particularly important because West Indies must navigate the qualification pathway rather than relying on automatic entry.
For the women’s side, the Pakistan series provides a chance to improve its position in the qualification race. Results in these matches will carry greater significance than ordinary bilateral series performances. The contracts provide a clearer picture of which players the board expects to contribute during these assignments.
What the New Contracts Reveal About West Indies’ Plans
The 2026–27 announcement combines three priorities: maintaining experienced leadership, rewarding strong recent performances and supporting emerging players.
Campbell’s return demonstrates the value placed on international form. Forde and Jangoo have earned recognition through contributions in different formats, while Mangru’s first retainer follows her involvement in a successful T20 World Cup campaign.
The development agreements for Andrew, Auguste and Lawes add another dimension, creating a pathway for players who may take on larger roles in future seasons.
However, receiving a contract does not guarantee selection for every match. Final squads will still depend on form, fitness, format requirements and team balance.
For West Indies cricket, the next measure of progress will come on the field. The December women’s ODIs and February men’s qualification campaign will test whether the contracted groups can deliver when tournament places are at stake.
The new agreements establish the personnel framework. The coming international fixtures will show how effectively that framework supports the teams’ ambitions.