Tensions between Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), and Dr. Kishore Shallow, President of Cricket West Indies (CWI), have reached a boiling point this week. Gonsalves expressed his dissatisfaction over SVG’s exclusion from hosting any matches during Australia’s tour of the Caribbean later this year. The upcoming series will feature three Test matches hosted in Barbados, Grenada, and Dominica, followed by a five-match T20I series in Jamaica and St. Kitts. The summer will culminate with T20Is against Pakistan in Florida and ODIs in Trinidad.

The decision to omit SVG from the schedule has drawn sharp criticism from Gonsalves, who has voiced his concerns in several media appearances across the Eastern Caribbean. He has accused Dr. Shallow of not ensuring that his home country was included in the international cricket calendar. During a recent appearance on the Mason & Guest radio show in Barbados, Gonsalves stated, “Given the poisoned state of relations between the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines and Cricket West Indies, how can there be any proper ongoing co-operation and collaboration between one of the member states of Cricket West Indies and Cricket West Indies in this current leadership?”

In response, Dr. Shallow, who is also a candidate for the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) in the upcoming general elections, has defended the decision to exclude SVG. He clarified that the choice of host venues was made based on factors like cost efficiency and cricketing strategy, not political motives. “In the case of SVG hosting Australia in 2025, securing affordable accommodation and suitable playing conditions were not favourable,” Shallow explained. He pointed out that St. Kitts offers better accommodation options and hosting infrastructure.

Despite missing out on the Australia tour, Shallow mentioned that SVG has been given other opportunities to host international matches this year, including two First-Class matches in the regional four-day tournament, the West Indies Women’s Blaze, and the South Africa Men’s A team’s tour, which includes two Tests and three One-Day matches. He also noted that SVG had turned down the chance to host South Africa A matches due to the Arnos Vale playing field’s unavailability. Additionally, Shallow assured the public that international cricket would return to SVG next year, with plans to host West Indies vs. New Zealand Men’s T20Is in July 2026, and three T20Is between West Indies Women and England Women in May 2027.

The ongoing dispute comes at a politically charged time in SVG, where Gonsalves’ Unity Labour Party (ULP) is vying for a sixth consecutive term in office. Dr. Shallow, as a candidate for the opposition, has become a significant figure in both political and sporting discussions in the country. With CWI presidential elections approaching in March, Dr. Shallow has indicated he will seek input from CWI directors and stakeholders before deciding on his re-election bid. As the conflict continues, cricket enthusiasts in St Vincent and the Grenadines are left pondering the potential impacts on the nation’s future role in hosting regional and international cricket events.