CWI’s 2025 schedule excludes Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, sparking outrage in Saint Lucia
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has unveiled its international match schedule for 2025, but one glaring omission has sparked outrage among Saint Lucian cricket fans—the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground (DSCG) has been completely left out of the calendar.
The exclusion is particularly shocking given that the ICC ranked Daren Sammy Cricket Ground (DSCG) among the top venues in last year’s T20 World Cup, commending its high-quality pitch and excellent facilities. Despite this recognition, no international fixtures will be played at DSCG in 2025 for either the West Indies men’s or women’s teams.
CWI Releases 2025 Schedule Without Saint Lucia
CWI’s 2025 schedule outlines a full slate of home and away fixtures for the West Indies men’s and women’s teams, featuring Test matches, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20 Internationals (T20Is). Yet, DSCG, one of the premier venues in the Caribbean, has been excluded from the list of host stadiums.
This decision has raised serious questions about how Cricket West Indies determines host venues, especially given that DSCG was among the highest-rated grounds in the ICC’s assessment of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
West Indies Men’s Cricket Schedule for 2025
Despite DSCG’s absence, the West Indies men’s team has a busy 2025 ahead, beginning with a UK tour against Ireland and England from May to June. The squad will play T20 and ODI series in preparation for upcoming global tournaments, including the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka and the 2027 ICC 50-Over World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Upon their return home in June, the West Indies will commence their ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 campaign with a three-match Test series against Australia. This series is particularly significant as it will be the first time head coach Daren Sammy takes charge of the Test squad.
Additionally, Sabina Park in Jamaica will host its first international Test match since 2022 during this series. The Australian tour will conclude with a five-match T20I series, with games set for Jamaica and St. Kitts.
The West Indies will then face Pakistan in a white-ball series, including T20Is in Florida and ODIs in Trinidad and Tobago. Following this, the team will embark on away tours to India, Bangladesh, and New Zealand between September and December, covering all formats.
West Indies Women’s Cricket Calendar
The West Indies women’s team, captained by Hayley Matthews, will also have a defining year. The squad failed to qualify automatically for the ICC 50-over World Cup and must now earn their place via a qualification tournament in Pakistan this April.
Following their qualification efforts, the team will compete in:
- A white-ball series against England, including ODIs and T20Is.
- A historic home series against South Africa at the 3Ws Oval in Barbados, marking the first-ever international white-ball matches at that venue.
Despite an eventful calendar, Saint Lucia’s premier cricket ground remains absent from the schedule, raising concerns about whether DSCG will host any international matches in the near future.
Why Was DSCG Snubbed?
The absence of DSCG from CWI’s 2025 schedule has sparked backlash among fans, players, and local stakeholders. The stadium, named after West Indies legend Daren Sammy, has been a key venue for Caribbean cricket and was widely expected to remain a crucial location for regional and international matches.
Critics argue that CWI’s venue selection process lacks transparency, as DSCG received some of the highest ratings from the ICC during the 2024 T20 World Cup. The pitch and outfield were rated “very good”—the highest possible classification.
Some analysts speculate that financial factors or internal politics may have influenced the decision, while others believe that Saint Lucia’s cricket administrators may not have done enough to secure DSCG’s spot in the fixture list.
Economic and Sporting Impact on Saint Lucia
The exclusion of DSCG from the 2025 schedule is not just a cricketing disappointment but also a major economic setback for Saint Lucia.
International matches generate significant tourism revenue, attract sponsors, and stimulate local businesses, from hotels to restaurants. The lack of international fixtures at DSCG could result in lost economic opportunities and potentially affect the growth of cricket in Saint Lucia.
Many believe that the Saint Lucian government and local cricket officials must push harder for the venue’s inclusion in future schedules to preserve its reputation as a premier West Indies cricket stadium.
What’s Next for DSCG?
The snubbing of Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in CWI’s 2025 calendar has fueled growing concerns over the venue’s role in future tournaments. As it stands, no official reason has been given for its exclusion, and pressure is mounting on CWI to clarify its selection criteria.
Cricket fans across the region will be watching closely to see whether CWI reverses its stance in upcoming schedules. With Saint Lucia’s rich cricketing legacy and world-class stadium infrastructure, many hope that DSCG will soon reclaim its place on the international stage.
For the latest updates on this developing story, stay connected with Unitedpac St. Lucia News.
