The prevailing northeast trade winds are a constant in beautiful Barbados but the winds of change have swept through both the West Indies team and Australia as they begin a new World Test Championship cycle in Bridgetown.
West Indies have not played Test cricket since January in Pakistan and begin the cycle under a new captain in Roston Chase after Kraigg Brathwaite stepped down. Extraordinarily, Chase has not played a Test match since March 2023, having not played in West Indies' last 13.
He leads a new-look squad which, for the opening Test, sees a debut for Brandon King and returns for John Campbell and Shai Hope - the latter as wicketkeeper - for the first time since 2022 and 2021 respectively.
Meanwhile, veteran Kemar Roach was left out of the squad entirely despite playing in each of West Indies' last three series. Joshua da Silva could not earn a recall either on account of his Gabba heroics against Australia and a recent run spree in the West Indies Championship, with selectors holding firm after dropping him in Pakistan.
The squads for the 2025 Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) have been officially confirmed following the successful completion of the player draft. Each franchise will feature a 15-player squad comprising four overseas stars and 11 local talents, as they prepare for another thrilling season of women’s T20 cricket in the Caribbean.
Barbados Royals Aim for Historic Three-Peat
Defending champions Barbados Royals will once again be led by world number one all-rounder Hayley Matthews, who has captained the side to consecutive WCPL titles. The Royals retain a strong Caribbean core with the return of Chinelle Henry, Afy Fletcher, and Aaliyah Alleyne, and welcome Kycia Knight to her home franchise for the first time.
On the overseas front, the Royals are bolstered by the return of Australian wicket-keeper Georgia Redmayne and Sri Lankan opener Chamari Athapaththu, both integral to last season’s championship run. They are joined by Indian off-spinner Shreyanka Patil, who shifts from the Guyana Amazon Warriors, and Australian multi-sport athlete Courtney Webb, adding fresh versatility to the squad.
Shamar Joseph and Hayley Matthews emerged as the major award recipients at the 8th annual CWI/WIPA Awards Gala held on Sunday night at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle, where Caribbean cricket’s finest gathered to honour excellence and reflect on a golden milestone in West Indies history.
The ceremony also marked the 50th anniversary of the West Indies' groundbreaking victory at the 1975 Prudential World Cup — a moment immortalized when Sir Clive Lloyd’s team defeated Australia by 17 runs at Lord’s to become the first world champions of the sport. Surviving members of that legendary squad including Sir Clive, Sir Vivian Richards, Deryck Murray, and Sir Joel Garner were present, receiving standing ovations from players and guests alike for a triumph that continues to inspire generations.
“As we paid tribute to the legends who made it possible, it was also a reminder; legacy is not a trophy, it is fuel... Congratulations to all of tonight’s award winners... Let us keep pushing, keep rising, and above all else, keep rallying round the West Indies,” she posted on Instagram afterwards.
Joseph, whose sensational Test debut against Australia in January 2024 captivated the cricketing world, was named Test Player of the Year. Matthews, the inspirational West Indies Women’s captain, was a double awardee, claiming both the Women’s ODI and T20I Player of the Year titles in recognition of her consistent brilliance with bat and ball.
Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped for the first Test against West Indies and Steven Smith ruled out through injury with Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis named as their replacements.
The two changes were confirmed five days before the opening Test in Barbados on June 25, meaning Australia will have a significantly different batting line-up to the World Test Championship final against South Africa.
Konstas will earn his third cap having not featured since the two outings against India which began with his 60 off 65 balls on debut at the MCG. Inglis scored a century on his Test debut against Sri Lanka in Galle earlier this year.
Labuschagne had been moved to up to open in the WTC final, with the selectors opting for a last show of faith, but came away with scores of 17 and 22 to continue a two-year lean run in Test cricket.
Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) have appointed former West Indies allrounder Dwayne Bravo as their new head coach for the upcoming edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025. He replaces Phil Simmons, who is currently the head coach for Bangladesh men's team.
"It's an honour to be given the opportunity to be Head Coach of TKR, a team that's very close to my heart," he said in a social media post. "I would like to personally thank coach Phil Simmons for his time and commitment over the last few years, and now I look forward to this new challenge for me and my staff."
Bravo played 107 matches in the CPL between 2013 and 2024, and took 129 wickets at an economy of 8.74. He represented TKR in nine out of the 11 seasons and won the title five times, including 2021, when he led St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.
