CaribbeanCricket.com

Powell to captain Jamaica Kingsmen; Russell and Allen also return

2026-05-07T19:22:15Z

The franchise acquired the trio via ‘special draft privileges.'

The Kingsmen franchise has guaranteed that the Caribbean Premier League will return to Jamaica this summer, studded with home stars, following the marquee acquisitions of Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, and Fabian Allen.

The trio was selected through special draft privileges granted by the CPL, allowing the new team the option to make the first three picks in the draft.

Russell, the former West Indies all-rounder, was a two-time winner in his eight years with the now-defunct Tallawahs. The 38-year-old makes the move from the Trinbago Knight Riders, where he’s spent the last four seasons.

Rovman Powell

Regional coaches applaud CWI's high-performance plans

2026-05-04T14:03:22Z

Across the cricketing world, nations have invested heavily in high-performance systems, sports science, and cutting-edge technology, raising the standard of preparation and performance at every level.

The reality for the Caribbean is clear; natural talent alone is no longer enough to consistently compete and dominate. To keep pace with the modern game, there must be a deliberate shift towards structured development, advanced facilities, and integrated support systems that match those of the world’s leading cricket nations.

Cricket West Indies, with the full backing of the Antigua & Barbuda government, is taking a decisive step in this direction by announcing its plans to develop a High-Performance Campus at the site of the Coolidge Cricket Ground, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem where elite sport, education, and commercial activity intersect.

For the coaches on the front lines of the ongoing West Indies Championship, this move has been applauded, with the view being expressed that it is critical to the future of West Indies cricket.

Robert Haynes, Jamaica Scorpions Head Coach and former selector, believes the planned facility is essential in bridging that gap.

"I think it's a magnificent idea. When I was a selector, it was always spoken about in terms of having something for the youngsters. I think it's a magnificent effort by the Antiguan government and Cricket West Indies to get this going because we need it."

Kevin wickham: Honouring his Father Through his Performances on the Field

2026-05-04T13:31:35Z

Each step that is taken on a cricket field is more than just a movement, but it becomes a memory in motion for Barbados Pride batter Kevin Wickham, who is using his bat and performances to honour his late father, Herbert.

Wickham lost his father just over two years ago, but every run carved through the offside, every dive on the boundary, carries a memory stitched into it. He steps onto the pitch not just as a player, but as a son determined to honour a legacy by turning grief into purpose.

Just over a week ago the 23-year-old etched his name into regional cricket folklore by becoming the third Barbadian since the turn of the century to score twin hundreds in a regional match, joining Kraigg Brathwaite (102 & 122 vs Guyana, 2015) and Ryan Hinds (168 & 150 vs Leeward Islands, 2006).

Kevin Wickham

CPL reviews acquisition and draft rules ahead of 2026 season

2026-04-30T15:48:11Z

Draft selections to be announced on May 15

The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has revised the Player Acquisition and Draft Rules for the three-year contract cycle covering 2026 to 2028.

Squad Composition

Each franchise will assemble a 17-player squad consisting of: nine senior West Indies players, five overseas players and three Breakout Players

Jamaica Kingsmen – Special Draft Provision

As the league’s new franchise, the Jamaica Kingsmen will receive special draft privileges:

They will have the option to make the first three picks in draft, restricted to selecting only Jamaican players

The Kingsmen are not obliged to use all three of these picks

These selections cannot be challenged using the Right to Match Option (RMO).

During this phase, the Kingsmen may select a maximum of one player from any single existing team.

Any team that loses a player to the Kingsmen will receive an additional RMO.

CWI pays tribute to GCA's Norman Gilbert

2026-04-30T15:26:31Z

Cricket West Indies President, Dr. The Hon. Kishore Shallow's statement on the passing of Norman Gilbert:

It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the sudden passing of Mr. Norman Gilbert, President of the Grenada Cricket Association and Member of the Windward Islands Cricket Board.

On behalf of Cricket West Indies, I extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the entire cricketing fraternity in Grenada and across the region.

Norman was a committed and visionary leader who served the game with distinction. His unwavering dedication to the development and promotion of cricket in Grenada, and his genuine passion for uplifting the sport at all levels, have left an indelible mark on the cricketing landscape.

Norman Gilbert

Guyana advance to final with win over Windwards; T&T draw to confirm playoff place

2026-04-29T21:32:35Z

Carty’s 147 and Greaves’ 122 help Leewards earn draw

Guyana 242 & 299 (Chanderpaul 117*, Motie 53; Dember 3-52) beat Windwards 223 & 225 (Athanaze 64, Jeremiah 25; Motie 4-82) by 93 runs

Defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles have booked a direct spot in the final of the 2025 West Indies Championship after a 93-run victory over the Windward Islands Volcanoes on the final day of their third-round encounter at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, which confirmed their place atop the league points standings.

It was the Harpy Eagles' seamers who did the damage early in the day, picking up two wickets in the morning session to restrict the Windwards to 103 for three at Lunch, chasing 319 for victory.

Skipper Alick Athanaze (64) and Johann Jeremiah (25) shared in a hope-renewing 74-run fourth-wicket stand on either side of the interval before Veerasammy Permaul (3/41) removed the latter, initiating the spin takeover.

The Quiet Hunger of Akeem Auguste

2026-04-29T12:49:10Z

Akeem Auguste was around four years old the first time he stood at a crease, his father the bowler, soon to discover a sport that would come to define his life.

By age twelve, his love for the game was accompanied by a desire for excellence, but when the young Saint Lucian was not selected for the Windward Islands’ Under 15 side, he decided from that point he would never be passed over for any team ever again.

"I didn't get selected and from then on, I never wanted to get that feeling again of being left out of a team. I started to train a little harder and be more intentional with the things I was working on,” he admitted.

It is the kind of disappointment that either breaks a young sportsperson or quietly reshapes their drive for success. Luckily for Akeem, that early setback caused the latter.

Bishop’s 5-fer pushes Barbados into playoffs; Chanderpaul’s century set Windwards 319 runs to win

2026-04-28T23:12:36Z

Leewards trail T&T by 17 runs with six second-innings wickets remaining

Barbados 439 (Drakes 94, Chase 84; Mindley 3-62, Smith 3-91) beat Jamaica 142 & 286 (Smith 73, King 63; Bishop 5-72) by an innings and 11 runs

The Barbados Pride have confirmed their place in the 2026 West Indies 4-Day Championship playoffs following a dominant innings and 11-run victory over the Jamaica Scorpions in the third-round contest at Sabina Park.

Led by an impressive five-wicket haul from spinner Joshua Bishop, who claimed 5 for 72, the visitors wrapped up the win just after the Tea interval, dismissing the Scorpions for 286 in 70.4 overs in their second innings.

Jamaica began the day on 22 for one, needing an additional 275 runs to make the Pride bat again after being forced to follow on in response to Barbados’ first-innings total of 439 all out.

All-rounder Odean Smith top-scored for the hosts with 73. He shared in a promising 86-run eighth-wicket stand with Abhijai Mansingh (35). After which, Jamaica scored only six runs.

Brandon King converted his overnight 15 into a half-century (63), with Kirk McKenzie (12) adding just the five runs to his overnight seven.

Jomel Warrican chipped in with figures of 2 for 39 for the Pride, who claimed victory inside three days.

Kingsmen battle Falcons at Arnos Vale in CPL opener

2026-04-28T13:52:06Z

The 2026 edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will feature several historic milestones for the tournament. St. Vincent & the Grenadines will host matches for the first time, with the opening fixtures scheduled for the Arnos Vale Stadium.

The competition will feature seven teams, another first. The Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, Barbados Royals, Jamaica Kingsmen, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Saint Lucia Kings, St Kitts & Nevis Patriots are joined by reigning champions the Trinbago Knight Riders.

The season will consist of 39 matches set to take place from 7 August to 20 September, when Barbados will host its maiden CPL final.

Pete Russell, CEO of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League, said: “With an expanded tournament in 2026, we are delighted to be bringing CPL cricket to St Vincent & the Grenadines for the first time. We are equally excited about hosting finals week in Barbados, where we have ambitious plans to deliver the biggest and most memorable finale in the tournament’s 14-year history. Each year, our goal is to raise the bar, and I am more confident than ever that CPL 2026 will be our best season yet.”

Republic Bank, CWI confirm 2026 edition of ‘Five For Fun’ Primary Schools Programme

2026-04-28T13:22:56Z

The initiative has been expanded to include Barbados

Republic Bank and Cricket West Indies have officially renewed their partnership for the 2026 staging of the Primary Schools ‘Five for Fun’ Cricket Programme, reaffirming their shared commitment to youth development and grassroots cricket across the Caribbean.

Five for Fun, which is entering its sixth year, provides boys and girls aged 7–11 with structured access to the sport. The initiative seeks to introduce children to the fundamentals of the game through a modern and exciting format.

The 2026 season will run from April to September, hosted in Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts, Nevis, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago. This year, the programme continues its regional expansion with the addition of Barbados to the roster.