West Indies 4-Day Championship 2022/23

The West Indies Championship stands as the premier first-class domestic cricket tournament in the region. Founded in the 1965–66 season, it replaced earlier unofficial inter-colonial contests that had existed since 1891. The competition sits at the apex of the local pyramid and serves as the primary pathway for players aiming for the West Indies national Test team.

Six territorial franchises make up the league: Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, Trinidad & Tobago, and Windward Islands. These teams are fixed members without promotion or relegation, operating as independent shareholders within Cricket West Indies. The format currently uses a double round-robin structure where each side plays every opponent twice. Points are awarded for wins and draws, with additional bonuses for batting and bowling in the first 110 overs designed to encourage aggressive play.

Barbados holds the record for success, having claimed 23 titles. Jamaica follows with 10 championships, while Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago have won eight and seven respectively. The trophy presented to the victors is the Headley-Weekes Trophy.

What distinguishes this contest from other first-class competitions is its geopolitical scope, spanning a confederation of 15 independent nations and territories. It also employs a franchise-based player draft system that allows for cross-regional player mobility. Over the years, the event has carried various sponsor names, including the Shell Shield and the Carib Beer Cup, before settling on its current title in 2019.