*St. John’s, Antigua** – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has taken a significant step in modernizing talent identification with the launch of a data-driven scouting system. Shane Jeffers has been appointed as the official CWI scout for St. Kitts and Nevis.
This initiative aims to provide a structured and analytical approach to talent identification, ensuring that emerging cricketers have a clear pathway to the highest levels of the sport. Jeffers, a former captain of the Leeward Islands and a player for the West Indies A team, will play a crucial role in assessing local talent and contributing to the talent identification process for the West Indies Championship.
**A Modernized Scouting Network**
As part of CWI’s revamped scouting strategy, Senior Talent Managers—Jamal Smith for Men’s cricket and Ann Browne-John for Women’s cricket—will collaborate with six Territorial Talent Identifiers (TTIDs) and a network of regional scouts to track and analyze performances in real-time.
Jeffers joins an elite scouting team that includes:
**TTIDs:**
– Barbados – Henderson Broomes
– Guyana – Ramnaresh Sarwan
– Jamaica – Delroy Morgan
– Leeward Islands – Samuel Spencer
– Trinidad & Tobago – Gibran Mohammed
– Windward Islands – Craig Emmanuel
**Regional Scouts:**
– Fernix Thomas (Dominica)
– Stacy-Ann Adams (St. Vincent)
– Anthony Gray (Trinidad & Tobago)
– Shane Jeffers (St. Kitts & Nevis)
**A Data-Driven Approach to Talent Identification**
Miles Bascombe, CWI Director of Cricket, emphasized that this new system goes beyond traditional scorecard-based assessments. “We are collecting real-time data, consistently analyzing performances, and making informed decisions about player development. This ensures that performances are placed in context, focusing on skill sets, tactical awareness, and game intelligence.”
Scouts will utilize the Athlete Management System (AMS) to maintain player depth charts, submit performance reports, and track player progression. This structured approach guarantees that no talent goes unnoticed while providing greater accountability and transparency in player selection.
**West Indies Championship: The First Major Test**
With the West Indies Championship currently underway, all eyes are on the new scouting system as it evaluates performances across the region. Jeffers, along with his fellow scouts, will closely monitor and report on standout performances, ensuring that deserving players are recognized and given opportunities to advance.
Bascombe reiterated the importance of this approach in shaping the future of West Indies cricket: “With this new system, we will have more eyes on players than ever before. Selection methods will be consistent over time, based on merit and data-backed insights.”
**Looking Ahead**
Cricket West Indies’ innovative scouting framework represents a significant step toward revitalizing the region’s cricket talent pipeline. By blending modern analytics with expert scouting, CWI aims to maintain the competitiveness of West Indies cricket on the global stage.
With Shane Jeffers officially scouting for St. Kitts and Nevis, young cricketers in the federation now have an exciting opportunity to make their mark and progress to the highest levels of the sport