West Indies bowled out for 27 as calls for change growCEFR B1
23 Jul 2025
Adapted from Guest Contributor, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Swapnil Bhagwat, Unsplash
On July 14, 2025 the West Indies were bowled out for 27 in the final Test against Australia, the second‑lowest total in Test history. The team lost all three Tests in the series, and the collapse prompted intense public anger and urgent calls for change across the region.
Former players and administrators reacted immediately. Carl Hooper said he was "angry and upset" and said Daren Sammy, who is both head coach and the only selector, must be held accountable. Andy Roberts called for leadership resignations, and Jeffery Dujon questioned Sammy's experience while he holds all coaching responsibilities and the sole selector role.
Cricket West Indies said it would take remedial action and invited legends to join a new committee chaired by Enoch Lewis. On the field, Mitchell Starc took six wickets and Scott Boland took three, including a hat‑trick. Political and media issues added pressure, and some people demanded major structural reform for West Indies cricket.
Difficult words
- bowl out — to get all opposing batters out in cricketbowled out
- collapse — a sudden and complete failure or breakdown
- selector — person who chooses players for a team
- accountable — expected to explain actions and accept responsibility
- remedial — action intended to correct a problem or improve
- resignation — formal act of leaving a job or officeresignations
- prompt — to cause something to happen quicklyprompted
- legend — very famous past players in a sportlegends
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Should one person be both head coach and sole selector for a national team? Why or why not?
- If a national team has a very bad defeat, what two or three changes would you suggest first?
- How can media and politics affect a team's recovery after a public sporting collapse?
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