Nicholas Pooran’s retirement sparks Brian Lara’s outburst: “West Indies cricket failed the players”

Brian Lara has slammed the West Indies Cricket Board for not incentivising players like Pooran enough to keep him attached to international cricket.

West Indies cricket is not just hurting from their historic 27 all out against Australia. Now, it is, or perhaps has been, under a deeper crisis. The one that involves its stars walking away from international cricket. The latest to bid farewell was Nicholas Pooran, just 29 years old and still at the peak of his powers. And Brian Lara, one of the most respected voices in Caribbean cricket, has had enough. The legend has called out the administrators for not keeping star players loyal to international cricket.

“Can’t blame Pooran”: Lara blames the system

Speaking on the ‘Stick to Cricket’ podcast, Brian Lara didn’t mince his words. He blamed the West Indies Cricket Board for failing to do the bare minimum to retain its top-tier talent, using Pooran’s sudden retirement as a flashpoint. “You have a lot of guys who are deciding on what to do with their careers. You have your aggressive players like Pooran, who retired at 29. And honestly, it’s pretty clear why they did. There are five or six leagues around the world, and they’re able to make a substantial amount of money playing in them.”

Lara, who was in conversation with fellow legends like Phil Tuffnell, David Lloyd, Michael Vaughan, and Sir Alastair Cook, said that he can understand a player’s mindset. With several white-ball leagues going around the world, players are bound to get attracted towards them, considering the money involved. If the international board doesn’t put in more effort, the players will leave.

“I have no problem with that. The truth is, I don’t think the West Indies Cricket Board or the administration has done anything meaningful to keep players loyal to West Indies cricket, unlike what boards in countries like England, Australia, or even India have done.”

Pooran left, Russell next

Pooran, who made his T20I debut in 2016, retires as West Indies’ most-capped T20I cricketer (106 matches) and their highest run-scorer in the format. Known for his clean striking and clutch performances, his departure leaves a glaring hole in the West Indies’ middle order. His exit comes just months before the T20 World Cup 2026 and days after he took a break from the England tour, citing IPL fatigue.

What’s worse, Andre Russell has now also confirmed he will retire from internationals after the final two T20Is vs Australia, adding to the growing list of Caribbean stars prioritising franchise leagues over national duty. Russell wasn’t a consistent fixture in the Caribbean outfit anyway. While he played the majority of the World Cups, his appearances dwindled as his list of franchises increased.

All of this is unfolding just days after the West Indies collapsed for their lowest Test score in history, a mere 27 runs against Australia in Kingston. The defeat completed a 3-0 whitewash and set off alarms not just in the press box but within the West Indies boardroom.

In response, WICB president Dr. Kishore Shallow confirmed an emergency meeting and has called upon legends like Sir Clive Lloyd, Sir Vivian Richards, and Brian Lara to form a special advisory group. “This engagement is not ceremonial. These are men who helped define our golden eras, and their perspectives will be invaluable as we shape the next phase of our cricket development,” Shallow said.