Australia is due to host the men's T20 competition between October 18 and November 15 but the status of the tournament remains unclear due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, while the women's 50-over event is slated to take place in New Zealand from February 6 to March 7 next year.
Last month, the ICC denied reports a decision had been taken to move the T20 World Cup back to next year, although Cricket Australia said it was braced for the postponement.
Following an ICC Board meeting on Wednesday, the governing body said it will "continue to assess and evaluate the rapidly changing public health situation caused by COVID-19 working with key stakeholders including governments to explore how the events can be staged to protect the health and safety of everyone involved."
ICC chief executive Manu Sawhney said: "The situation surrounding the global pandemic is evolving rapidly and we want to give ourselves the best possible opportunity to make the right decision for the whole sport.
"The health and well-being of everyone involved is our priority and other considerations fall out from that.
"We will only get one chance to make this decision and it needs to be the right one and as such we will continue to consult with our Members, broadcasters, partners, governments and players and to ensure that we make a well informed decision."
CA stood down the vast majority of its staff on reduced pay from April 27 until the end of the financial year, with concerns over when international action will be able to resume.
Australia are due to stage the ICC T20 World Cup, as well as welcome India for a lucrative tour, yet their home schedule could be at risk because of the global health crisis.
Admitting it is disappointing how the situation has played out, Khawaja hopes CA and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) can work together to come through what he feels is a cash-flow problem that could have been avoided.
"I was very shocked. I knew our projections for revenue were still very high and I think they still are, depending on what happens with the India series," he told Fox Sports.
"It's a bit confusing. I don't have all the financial information in front of me, but it seems like it's more of a cash-flow problem at the moment.
"There's obviously a little bit of mismanagement there somewhere, with the portfolio and putting a lot of money into the share market.
"To me that's Business 101. To make sure you have enough cash reserves if c**p hits the fan.
"So I'm a little bit disappointed on that front... but what's been done is done now, so it's just our responsibility as CA and ACA to work through this."
Khawaja was absent from the list of players to be handed national contracts by CA this week, having not played a Test since being dropped during the 2019 Ashes in England.
The left-hander, who averages over 40 in the longest format, still believes he is one of the best six batsmen in the country and feels the criticism of his play against spin is unjustified.
"Without sounding arrogant, I still feel like I'm one of the top six batsmen in the country," Khawaja said.
"My playing against spin has been right up there as some of the best in the county. Bar maybe Steve Smith, who is an absolute genius.
"But the most important thing is to score runs."
The outbreak of COVID-19 has forced several countries into lockdown, with sporting events across the world postponed or cancelled.
With the cricket calendar usually so relentless, Australia coach Langer - who is still preparing for the Twenty20 World Cup in October - wants his players to take the opportunity to "recharge".
"I'm trying to encourage our players to find some silver lining," he said.
"We identified in South Africa a number of our players were physically and mentally exhausted.
"We had all winter [in England] with the World Cup and the Ashes then into our summer... it gives them a really good opportunity to recharge.
"We're looking at scenarios to make sure we'll be ready for whatever comes."
Speaking during a video call while in self-isolation, Langer confirmed he would proceed with his original schedule for telling players whether they would be centrally contracted for the 2020-21 season.
"I think we're sticking to the plan of April 2," he said. "Out of respect we'll talk to the players who have been contracted this year and who missed out on a contract."
Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed that fans will not be allowed into grounds to watch the three-match series, which starts on Friday at the SCG.
Ticket-holders will be given a full refund with no decision yet made over Australia's upcoming three-match Twenty20 international tour of New Zealand.
"Cricket Australia will continue to monitor the coronavirus situation at home and overseas before making a decision on Australian men's international matches beyond the Australian leg of the ODI tournament," said a statement.
It was also confirmed that Australia's World Cup-winning women's side's tour of South Africa has been suspended.
A series of three ODIs and three T20s was set to get under way in Durban on March 22.
"We have taken strong action today in the face of an unprecedented public health issue," said Kevin Roberts, CA's chief executive.
"We believe this is the right decision to minimise the risk of public exposure to the coronavirus, which the World Health Organisation declared a global pandemic on Thursday.
"We understand that these changes to our schedule will impact many, but we hope our community will understand that the public health and safety issues caused by the coronavirus must take priority over sport at this time. This is not an issue specific to cricket."
Domestic cricket in Australia will continue as scheduled with the Sheffield Shield final to be played on March 27.
The ICC chief executives' committee will vote on the proposal, which has been put forward to "mitigate the risks posed by the COVID-19 virus", in June.
It has been reported the ICC will not permit the use of an artificial substance to generate movement when the ball is in the air, though players can use sweat.
Australia paceman Starc understands the concerns but thinks bowlers should be offered an alternative to ensure batsmen to not get an advantage.
"I understand that completely and hear what they're saying in terms of a foreign substance, but whether that can be controlled by the umpires in terms of they have a portion of the wax and you can only use a small amount, I don't know, but there needs to be a maintaining of the even contest," Starc said in a video conference.
"I understand what they're saying with foreign substances and that it's black and white in terms of that, but it's an unusual time for the world and if they're going to remove saliva shining for a portion of time they need to think of something else for that portion of time as well.
"Whether it be the wickets being not as flat or at least considering this shining wax to a degree, there needs to be some thought on that, I think.
"I guess you use both those things [saliva and sweat] to shine the ball. I've probably been a bit more on the sweat side, just trying to not get my hands in my mouth too much.
"But I agree completely with what Pat [Cummins] commented on last week: that contest with bat and ball, we don't want to lose that or get further away from that even contest, so there needs to be something in place to either keep that ball swinging.
"They've mentioned that it's only going to be there for a period of time and then once the world gets back to a relatively normal situation then saliva can come back into shining the ball.
"But if it's going to be a window of time there, maybe then instruct people to leave more grass on the wickets to have that contest or if they're going to take away a portion of maintaining the ball, there needs to be that even contest between bat and ball, otherwise people are going to stop watching, and kids aren't going to want to be bowlers.
"I think as we saw in Australia the last couple of years, there's some pretty flat wickets, and if that ball's going straight, it's a pretty boring contest.
"I think [ball manufacturers] Kookaburra have been developing a shining wax or something of the sort, so whether there's consideration of that, there needs to be some maintaining [of] that even contest.
"Generally, the spinners reckon that the wickets that seam a bit also spin, so maybe if you bring the bowlers back into the game, you'll tick all the boxes."
The International Cricket Council (ICC) last week stated it is still planning for the World Cup to start in Australia on October 18, but other options are being explored due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It has been reported that the competition will be put back to next year, with the IPL - which could not get under way as scheduled in March - taking place instead of the global event.
Smith, who returned to training with New South Wales on Monday, would prefer to play in a World Cup, but the former Australia captain would also relish the opportunity to lead the Rajasthan Royals later this year.
The top-ranked Test batsman in the world said: "I think when you're playing for your country at a World Cup, that's the pinnacle for one-day or T20 cricket, so of course I'd prefer to play in that.
"But if that doesn't happen and the IPL's there, and they postpone [the T20 World Cup], then so be it. IPL's also a terrific tournament as a domestic tournament.
"That's out of everyone's control at the moment, players are just doing what we're told and going where we need to go and playing whatever's on at that stage.
"I guess there'll be some more news about it soon, probably some decisions to be made soon, so I'm sure we'll all find out and know where we're going to be.
"I personally haven't really thought about it, I think it'd just be going off the advice of the professionals and the governments and essentially doing what we're told.
"If that happens then great, if not then there's just so much going on in the world right now that cricket kind of seems a little bit irrelevant. So, we'll get back when we're told to and until then it's sit tight, get fit and strong and freshen up mentally."
Cricket Australia are also considering a request from the England and Wales Cricket Board to tour England for a limited-overs series in September, two months later than planned.
Cricket in Australia is preparing to kick into gear, having been suspended since March due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Former Australia captain Smith returned to training with New South Wales on Monday, along with international team-mates Mitchell Starc and David Warner.
After a gruelling year on the international and domestic fronts, Smith used the time off to focus on his fitness instead of his technique.
"I'm probably in the best shape I've been in in years, doing lots of running, lots of gym stuff at home. It's been a couple of months of good hard work," Smith said.
"I haven't touched a bat really, couple of little drills at home but that's about it. I've tried to switch off from it a little bit, which I don't do very often, but focusing on myself getting fit and strong and refreshing mentally, and when we get our chance to play again I'll be good to go.
"There are no nets or anything, so I've just been trying to switch off, I've done masterclasses at home that I've shared with a few people on Instagram and things like that.
"But other than that, I really haven't picked up my cricket bats. So it's been a bit different but I'm sure in the long run it's probably a good thing just to freshen up after what was a pretty long year, year-and-a-half."
The ICC look set to introduce a new rule to ban the use of spit to shine the ball once cricket returns, with bowlers often using saliva to assist with finding swing.
Smith suggested the rule change could hand the batting side an unfair advantage and hopes any changes to regulations maintain an even contest.
"I've always been one to want a fair contest between bat and ball, even as a batter, so if that's taken away I don't think that's great," he said.
"Whether they can find different ways to do certain things. It'll be hard, I actually spit on my hands most balls, that's how I get grip and stuff.
"It might take some adjusting to get used to certain things like that, that's something for the ICC to figure out what they want to do going forward and making new regulations.
"We'll see where it all lands, everything is up in the air at the moment."
There are recalls for experienced left-arm fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell; Shimron Hetmyer, the left-handed top-order batsman; and Roston Chase, the right-handed all-rounder.
The CG Insurance ODI Series will be played at Kensington Oval in Barbados on July 20, 22 and 24 with all three matches scheduled as day/night encounters. The first ball is 2:30 pm (1:30 pm Jamaica Time). There is great anticipation as this is Australia’s first tour of the West Indies since the tri-nation series back in 2016.
The series forms part of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) ODI Super League where both teams are aiming to win points to be one of the top seven teams that will secure automatic qualification for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in India.
“This squad is coming off a comprehensive series win against Sri Lanka which should boost their confidence going into what is expected to be a tougher contest against Australia. The return of Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase and Sheldon Cottrell adds greater depth and experience to the squad,” said Roger Harper, CWI's Chief Selector.
“Playing in familiar home conditions, hopefully, will bring out the best in each player thereby enabling the team to perform at a consistently high standard. This CG Insurance ODI series against Australia is part of the ICC Cricket World Cup qualification process where every game and every point counts, so it is very important.”
FULL SQUAD: Kieron Pollard (Captain), Shai Hope (Vice-Captain), Fabian Allen, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Anderson Philip, Nicholas Pooran and Romario Shepherd.
Paine stood down the Australian Test captaincy on Friday having been embroiled in a lewd text message scandal from 2017, which was investigated by CA and Cricket Tasmania in 2018.
At the time, Paine was found not to have breached CA's Code of Conduct and remained in the role as Test captain, having taken up the position earlier that year following Steve Smith's demotion in light of the sandpaper scandal.
CA chair Richard Freudenstein and CEO Nick Hockley addressed the media on Saturday and stressed they were not in their current positions at the time of the investigation, thus were not across the rationale behind the decisions made but said with hindsight they were a mistake.
"Neither of us, Nick Hockley or myself, can speak directly to the decision-making process in 2018," Freudenstein said.
"This includes being able to provide any further insights around how the original judgement was made, that Tim’s behaviour did not breach the code of conduct and that it did not warrant any further disciplinary action.
"Once again, while I cannot speak about the original decision-making in 2018, what I can say is that faced with the same circumstances, and with the benefit of all relevant information about this matter, Cricket Australia would not make the same decisions today.
"I acknowledge that the decision clearly sent the wrong message to the sport, to the community and to Tim – that this kind of behaviour is acceptable and without serious consequences.
"The role of Australia Captain must be held to the highest standards."
At the time of the investigation, David Peever was CA chair and James Sutherland was the organisation's CEO.
Freudenstein added: "A decision was made in 2018 and that decision was final. The details weren't known to anyone who've been on the board since that stage."
Paine follows Smith in being forced to step down from the captaincy in controversial circumstances and Hockley added that highest standards would be expected of the next skipper, expected to be Pat Cummins.
"Going forward I think it's incumbent on everybody to have the highest standards to represent Australia and particularly in a leadership position," Hockley said.
Paine was on Saturday due to play his first game of competitive cricket since neck surgery in September for University of Tasmania against South Hobart-Sandy Bay in Tasmanian club cricket but the day's play was called off due to rain.
Warner was given a one-year ban from playing elite cricket and CA ruled he could never hold an Australia leadership role again for his part in the 2018 Newlands ball-tampering scandal.
The opening batter challenged that ruling, but this week revealed he had withdrawn his appeal as he has no interest in "a public lynching".
Hockley says an independent review panel, which decided a hearing would be made public, was necessary in order to make the process "fair and transparent".
The CA CEO said: "We're disappointed that he's chosen to withdraw his application.
"This is not the outcome that we wanted. The fact it has become such a public thing is entirely contrary to what we were hoping to achieve.
"He could have continued with the process and an application could have been made during the hearing to ask for accredited media not to participate [in parts]. He could have just said 'I am going to withdraw, but I am not going to make a public statement'.
"I did relay that I was concerned I didn't want him to prejudice any future application with public comments. But clearly David has felt the need to say some things.
"This was not about looking at the original events or original sanction, it was about reviewing behaviour since."
Hockley added: "There is a huge amount of public interest in this, clearly, and the commissioners felt that it was appropriate for there to be a level of transparency.
"I make no apology that we've engaged with the best people, that we have best in class governance and we run a proper, fair, independent process."
Warner's agent, James Erskine, stoked the fires by claiming that two unnamed senior executives encouraged Australia players to tamper with the ball 16 months before the fiasco in Cape Town.
Hockley told SEN in response to those accusations: "They were really unhelpful and, I think, unfounded comments. I think that's totally counter to the objective of the process and I think it's precisely what David was hoping would not happen when he applied for it to be done in private.
"Some of the comments that I think have added to this situation have clearly not been [Warner's] own, they've been via representatives. So I'm really keen to see how he's going and how he's feeling following his decision to withdraw."
The national governing body said it had parted company with Roberts and replaced him on an interim basis with Nick Hockley.
Hockley is chief executive of Australia's local organising committee for the T20 World Cup, a tournament the country is due to host in October and November and is in major doubt due to the coronavirus crisis.
CA chairman Earl Eddings said: "Cricket, like all national sports, has been going through a period of significant change and – in recent months we have had the added uncertainty delivered by COVID-19.
"The entire cricket community has been affected and difficult decisions have been – and will continue to be necessary – to ensure that cricket at every level is in the best shape it can be now and in the future."
Eddings said CA would be "continuing on with our restructure programme" on Wednesday but would not discuss the prospect of redundancies "out of respect" for staff.
Roberts spent 20 months in post before leaving the role. CA stated on its website Roberts had resigned, while Eddings said he had personally "made these changes today".
As Hockley began his tenure, he said: "Whilst it's been an unsettling time, it is an absolute privilege to be asked to take on this role, even on an interim basis.
"It is without doubt one of the great jobs in Australian sport and with that comes an enormous responsibility to the organisation and to the broader game."
The pandemic has hit Australian sport hard, with a number of international matches played behind closed doors or cancelled, while the Sheffield Shield campaign had to be curtailed.
There is now the danger of the T20 World Cup being cancelled or postponed, either of which would be a further major blow.
Hockley suggested there may be brighter times around the corner, however, saying: "I really see one of my priorities to help the board provide really clear direction as we move forward to what we hope is a fantastic summer."
The Proteas and Australia were originally due to start a three-match series next month, but doubts were raised after England cut short a tour of South Africa.
Moving the matches to Perth was also talked of as an alternative if the series could not be staged in South Africa, but the Proteas have since faced Sri Lanka in two Tests on home soil.
CSA is confident South Africa will be able to host Tim Paine's side and, although no dates have been confirmed, it appears the plan is for the series to start early in March.
Zak Yacoob, the CSA interim board chairman, said in a virtual press conference on Thursday: "I had a chat with the chair of Cricket Australia [Earl Eddings] about a week ago and we agreed that the tour is going to go ahead.
"We agreed that we are going to ensure that our facilities are as good as possible, as good as necessary.
"We also agreed we learn every day but that is not on the basis that we did anything wrong when England was here because you know that none of the English were affected. That's the bottom line. They all flew back and that was fine.
"But the learning in relation to this virus changes all the time and as it changes things must change. We agreed that as professionals neither he [Eddings] nor I know anything about this.
"We have doctors, we have experts, who lead us through this process and what we have adopted is an approach that as long as the experts on both sides, true professionals in relation to coronavirus and health, agree that the facilities are fine, we go on the basis that the facilities are fine.
"So far there is between the chair of CA and myself no doubt that the series will go ahead, but we have agreed also that the coronavirus is so changing, that we cannot predict what will happen.
"If things suddenly go down for the worse and we really can't do it and our experts say we can't do it and the other experts say we can't do it, we won't be able to."
South Africa start a two-match Test series in Pakistan on January 26 and also play Three Twenty20 Internationals in their first tour of the country in 14 years.
Cricket Australia (CA) put out a statement on Wednesday, confirming the move which has forced it to revise its 2022-23 home international schedule, although the Test series against the Proteas is unaffected.
It is understood CSA had wanted the ODI series, scheduled for January 12-17, to be moved due to a clash with its new franchise T20 league set to be launched in that month.
Due to the congested international schedule, a suitable alternate date could not be arranged.
CA CEO Nick Hockley said: “It is disappointing that Cricket South Africa will be unable to contest the ODI series in January.
“That said, we are delighted to be hosting South Africa for the three Test series which includes the Boxing Day and New Year’s Tests and with the comprehensive schedule of international cricket that will take place across Australia throughout the summer."
CSA's decision to withdraw from the ODI series means they will forfeit all ICC Super League points to Australia, which may impact South Africa's ability to secure direct qualification for the 2023 World Cup.
Paine assumed the role of Test captain after the 2018 ball-tampering scandal during Australia's tour of South Africa, where then-captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and young batsman Cameron Bancroft were all handed significant bans for their role in using sandpaper to roughen one side of the ball.
However, in his new autobiography, he claims that in the very next Test match of that same series, it was the South Africans who were shown on the big screen appearing to intentionally scuff the ball in an illegal fashion.
"I was standing at the bowlers' end in the next Test when a shot came up on the screen of a South African player at mid-off having a huge crack at the ball," he claims.
"We went to the umpires about it, which might seem a bit poor, but we'd been slaughtered and were convinced they'd been up to it since the first Test. But the footage got lost. As it would."
In response, CSA said Paine's allegation "could have been useful had it come out at the time, when the rot in the game was being rooted out".
It added: "CSA and Cricket Australia (CA) have engaged on this matter and the necessary sanctions levied at the time. Both bodies have reiterated their commitment to a clean game, pampered with excellence, grit and above reproach.
"While CSA respects the rights of individuals to air their opinions, it also calls upon all those who love the game to come forward with any information of misconduct on the field at the appropriate time and not wait for time to elapse.
"This will assist the relevant authorities within the system to investigate and appropriate relevant sanctions should they be required."
The 36-year-old stood down from the Australian Test captaincy having been embroiled in a lewd text message scandal from 2017, which was investigated by Cricket Australia (CA) and Cricket Tasmania the following year.
At the time, Paine was found not to have breached CA's code of conduct and remained as Test captain, having taken up the position in 2018 following Steve Smith's demotion in light of the sandpaper ball-tampering scandal.
An emotional Paine made his resignation announcement on Friday after learning the messages were to be revealed publicly, and Tasmania chairman Andrew Gaggin has questioned his treatment. Paine plays domestic cricket for Tasmania.
"The treatment afforded to the Australian Test captain by Cricket Australia has been appalling," Gaggin said. "It is clear that the anger amongst the Tasmania cricket community and general public is palpable.
"At a time when Cricket Australia should have supported Tim, he was evidently regarded as dispensable. The treatment is the worst since Bill Lawry over 50 years ago."
Lawry, who was sacked as captain ahead of the final Test of the 1970-71 Ashes series, found out about it through the media.
Cricket Australia chair Richard Freudenstein and CEO Nick Hockley addressed media on Saturday and stressed they were not in their current positions at the time of the initial investigation, thus were not across the rationale behind the decisions made.
Freudenstein said: "While I cannot speak about the original decision-making in 2018, what I can say is that faced with the same circumstances, and with the benefit of all relevant information about this matter, Cricket Australia would not make the same decisions today.
"I acknowledge that the decision clearly sent the wrong message to the sport, to the community and to Tim – that this kind of behaviour is acceptable and without serious consequences. The role of Australia captain must be held to the highest standards."
At the time of the investigation, David Peever was CA chair and James Sutherland was the organisation's CEO.
Freudenstein added: "A decision was made in 2018 and that decision was final. The details weren't known to anyone who've been on the board since that stage."
Earl Eddings, Chair of Cricket Australia, paid tribute to all those who took part in the famous Brisbane Test of 1960-61 and the enduring bond between the two cricketing sides.
“The first Tied Test, which began 60 years ago today at the Gabba, will forever be regarded as one of the greatest matches ever played,” Eddings said.
“When Joe Solomon ran out Ian Meckiff for the final wicket, the cricketing world stood captivated and a famous rivalry was born.
“There were heroes on both sides. For the West Indies, Sir Garfield Sobers hit a sublime first innings century, Sir Frank Worrell struck half-centuries in both innings and Wes Hall claimed nine wickets for the match.
“For the Australians, Norm O’Neill starred with 181 first innings and Alan Davidson, in one of the great all-round performances, took 11 wickets for the match and top-scored with 80 in the second innings.
“In the Caribbean as in Australia, the Tied Test is regarded as a seminal sporting moment defined by tremendous skill, fierce determination and a spirit of friendship that endures to this day.
“It took 83 years for Test cricket to produce its first ever tie. It will be remembered for eternity.”
Ricky Skerritt, President of Cricket West Indies, said matches between the two cricket nations have always been keenly contested and the mutual respect and rivalry is alive today in the pursuit for the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy. Skerritt added that the West Indies looked forward to hosting the Aussies in 2021.
“Remembering the first ever Tied Test match from 60 years ago is a celebration of the greatness of Test cricket,” Skerritt said. “It also reminds us that astute leadership, teamwork, and a never-say-die attitude are the same key qualities still required for Test match success today.”
West Indies Squad: Sir Frank Worrell (captain), Sir Conrad Hunte, Cammie Smith, Rohan Kanhai, Sir Garfield Sobers, Joe Solomon, Peter Lashley, Gerry Alexander, Sir Wes Hall, Sonny Ramadhin, Alf Valentine, Lance Gibbs, Chester Watson, Seymour Nurse, Jackie Hendricks, Tom Dewdney
Australia Team: Richie Benaud (captain), Colin McDonald, Bobby Simpson, Neil Harvey, Norman O’Neill, Les Favell, Ken MacKay, Alan Davidson, Wally Grout, Ian Meckiff, Lindsay Kline.
Currently, the WTC operates on a bilateral series model, where the home board retains all broadcast revenues, and the visiting team bears the cost of travel. This model significantly disadvantages smaller cricket boards, which often face substantial travel expenses. Grave suggested that the International Cricket Council (ICC) should centralize these costs to promote a more balanced financial structure.
"We have to have a league mentality that we're all in it together as the Test playing nations,'" Grave said. "And I think the World Test Championship is a start to that. I think it's gaining some momentum. I think it can be improved. Centralize flights and accommodation within the World Test Championship and take on those costs as the costs of the league rather than placing all that burden on the participating teams as we're so negatively disadvantaged by that."
India has toured the West Indies three times in the last five years, providing a substantial financial boost to CWI, which largely depends on media-rights money from Indian and English broadcasters. However, the travel costs for such tours can be prohibitive for the West Indies.
Grave also called for a more equitable distribution of ICC revenues, pointing out that the current system disproportionately benefits larger boards like the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which receives nearly 40 per cent of the ICC's revenue share.
"We made the point that we think there should be more equal revenue sharing of ICC distributions," Grave said. "And part of that equality was the spreading around the men's events."
He believes that hosting rights should not be monopolized by India, England, and Australia. Instead, they should be more evenly distributed among Full Member nations to ensure fair financial and competitive opportunities.
By addressing these financial inequalities and advocating for a more balanced approach to hosting world events, Grave believes that smaller cricket boards can become more sustainable and competitive on the global stage. His recommendations highlight the need for structural changes within the ICC to promote a more inclusive and equitable future for international cricket.
Grave's outburst follows the West Indies' impressive performance in their tour of Australia from January to February 2024. The underdog West Indies, led by captain Kraig Brathwaite, secured a historic Test series draw against Australia, marking their first Test victory on Australian soil in 27 years.
In a podcast with Daniel Gallan, Grave expressed his frustration, stating, "I think everyone is a bit sick of the phrase - world cricket needs a strong West Indies - when we definitely feel that world cricket is doing everything they can at almost every level to make sure that West Indies Cricket are never strong again."
One of Grave's primary grievances is with the ICC's revenue share model, which he deems flawed. Grave alleged that West Indies' share of the revenue has dwindled from seven to five percent under the current model, despite headlines suggesting an increase in financial support.
"I think that's the borne of the frustration of that as Ian Bishop says in his own words that this is a patronising tone. If you really want a strong West Indies Cricket, it would actually not be that hard to do a bit more. ICC are giving us more money in headlines but our percentage of revenue has gone down from seven to five percent, which we struggle to understand," Grave explained.
The CWI CEO questioned the cricketing community's commitment to fairness, stating, "If we all just are looking after ourselves then are we really acting as a community? Are we putting the best product on the field?"
This is not the first time Grave has criticized the ICC. In January, he had raised concerns about the economic disparity, claiming that the West Indies made no money from the men's and women's tour of Australia series, with the majority of revenue going to Cricket Australia.
"The revenue-share model is completely broken," Grave stated. "If we really want to operate as a cricketing community, we are only as strong as the weakest team, and we've got to change the mindset of bilateral cricket.
"CWI has spent over USD$ 2 million sending teams to Australia in the last four months, and whilst CA have received all the economic benefits from those series, we've seen zero dollars back. Is that really fair, reasonable, and sustainable?"
The 46-year-old was involved a single-vehicle accident at Hervey Range, approximately 50km from Townsville in Queensland.
Symonds' death continues a devastating year for Australian cricket, after the passings of legends Rod Marsh and Shane Warne from heart attacks in March.
Former Australian captain Mark Taylor said it was "another tragic day" for cricket.
"Unfortunately, I've been here too often, this year, under these circumstances," he told the Nine Network. "I can't quite believe it, to be honest. Another tragic day for cricket."
"He was an entertainer with the bat when it came to cricket and as you say he was an imposing guy, he was a big lad."
Tributes on social media flowed for the man affectionately known as "Roy", who was an instrumental figure in Australia's cricketing dominance across the Test and short-form versions of the game of the 2000s.
Former Australia teammate Adam Gilchrist wrote on Twitter how Symonds' passing "really hurts", while Pakistan legend Shoaib Akhtar tweeted how he was "devastated" at the news.
Michael Vaughan also posted on Twitter how it "didn't feel real", while former Australian Test captain and colleague on Fox Cricket, Allan Border, spoke on his distinct style on and off the pitch.
"He hit the ball a long way and just wanted to entertain," Border told the Nine Network. "He was, in a way, a little bit of an old-fashioned cricketer.
"He was an adventurer. Loved his fishing, he loved hiking, camping. People liked his very laid-back style.
"Symo away from the cameras and away from the spotlight, loved, I think, a bit of solitude and that is why he loved his fishing. Loved his own time."
Melbourne residents this week celebrated coming out of a sixth lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
No city in the world has been locked down more than Melbourne, but further easing of restrictions have been mapped out by the Victorian government.
There is optimism that there will be a huge attendance when Australia do battle with England in the third Test in two months' time, provided vaccination rates continue to increase.
Andrews said on Sunday: "I want to see 80,000 plus people at the Boxing Day Test on day one, that's what I want to see.
"We are determined to deliver that. It won't be easy. I think selling the tickets will be pretty easy."
A crowd of 78,113 for the Anzac Day AFL match last April was the biggest at the MCG, which can hold in excess of 100,000 people, since the start of the pandemic.
