ICC offers helping hand to Windies and Zimbabwe

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The West Indies Cricket Board and Zimbabwe Cricket have been given financial support by the International Cricket Council in an effort to help develop their national sides.

The WICB will receive US$3million over three years as part of the Targeted Assistance and Performance Programme (TAPP) agreement, with Zimbabwe’s board getting half that amount over the same period.

ICC chief executive David Richardson and Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Wilfred Mukondiwa shake on the TAPP agreement

While the Windies won the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka last year, their Test team has struggled in recent times and is above only New Zealand and Bangladesh in the ICC rankings, with Zimbabwe currently unranked as they have played insufficient matches.

ICC chief executive David Richardson said: "It is very important to the long-term prosperity of international cricket that we have competitive teams at the highest level and both the West Indies and Zimbabwe have been very clear in identifying the factors that will support improved performance.

“The TAPP agreements provide an opportunity for both members to increase their investment in high performance and we look forward to witnessing the impact of these programmes."

The agreements with both nations, who are currently playing one another in a two-Test series in the Caribbean, follows similar targeted performance support for Ireland, the Netherlands and Scotland, while details of New Zealand’s programme are being finalised.