The Future is Fast: CWI Puts the Region's Emerging Pace Talents to the Test in Antigua
HIGHLIGHTS
- Twelve regional fast bowlers assemble in Antigua for a 10-day High-Performance Assessment Camp aimed at developing the next generation of impactful pace bowlers.
- Former West Indies fast bowler and recently appointed Fast Bowling Consultant will lead the intensive programme.
- Camp assessments will evaluate speed, skill execution, physical robustness, tactical awareness and problem-solving ability.
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Twelve of the region’s fast-bowling talents will take part in a High-Performance Fast Bowling Assessment Camp from June 1–11, 2026 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua as part of Cricket West Indies’ commitment to strengthening capacity and supporting player development across the Caribbean.
The primary objective of the programme is to identify and assess the region’s pool of resources across both red-ball and white-ball disciplines through structured challenges and measurable evaluation of speed, technique, skill execution, physical robustness, and problem-solving ability.
The camp will be led by former West Indies fast bowler and world-renowned bowling coach Ottis Gibson, who was recently appointed to the role of Fast Bowling Consultant. Supporting him will be former West Indies fast bowler Jerome Taylor, one of the region’s emerging coaching talents who continues to contribute to player development initiatives within the CWI system.
Gibson spoke on what he is seeking to achieve over the 10-day period:
“I’m excited and honoured to be working with this developing generation of fast bowlers across the region. The main objective is to enhance and maximise the potential of the players we have, which will ultimately benefit West Indies cricket in the long run.”
“I’ve been very impressed with the talent and resources I’ve seen so far during my time here. There are several promising players who stand out in terms of their physicality, height and strength. What they now need is the capacity, determination, and desire to consistently bowl fast,”
he added.
CWI High Performance Manager Dwain Gill said the camp represents an important step in strengthening the region’s bowling depth and future succession planning.
“This camp is a strategic component of our wider High-Performance strategy to strengthen the regional fast bowling pipeline and ensure we continue building depth across all formats of the game,”
Gill said.
“We want to identify bowlers who demonstrate the technical skill, physical capabilities, tactical awareness and mindset required to compete at the international level, while also providing targeted support to accelerate their development within the CWI system.”
The High-Performance Fast Bowling Assessment Camp underscores CWI’s ongoing investment in developing a sustainable pipeline of elite fast bowlers capable of succeeding across all formats at the international level.
High-Performance Fast Bowling Assessment Camp Participants
- Khari Campbell – Jamaica Scorpions
- Joshua Cepal – Saint Lucia High Performance Centre
- McKenny Clarke – Windward Volcanoes
- Joshua James – Trinidad & Tobago Red Force
- Anderson Phillip – Trinidad & Tobago Red Force
- Jakeem Pollard – West Indies Academy
- Ojay Shields – Jamaica Scorpions
- Ramon Simmons – Barbados Pride
- Nial Smith – Guyana Harpy Eagles
- Javier Spencer – Leeward Islands Hurricanes
- Oshane Thomas – Leeward Islands Hurricanes
- Gilon Tyson – Windward Volcanoes