The Government says it is advanced in finalising arrangements to reintroduce a Jamaica franchise to the Caribbean Premier League in August 2026 through a public-private partnership.
The development comes as the Government continues its push to establish Jamaica as a premier destination to watch, participate in and discuss sports.
Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett and Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, are working jointly to conclude the discussions and ensure the necessary arrangements are put in place for a new Jamaican CPL franchise next summer.
Bartlett said, “Sports tourism is a critical component in the experiential offerings of tourism for destination Jamaica. Minister of Culture, the Honourable Babsy Grange, and myself have been collaborating with the CPL team, and particularly the franchise holder in Jamaica, to ensure that, along with the cricket board, we’re able to advance quality cricket offerings at destination Jamaica. We are committed to working with the teams and we look forward to the outcomes that will ensure the constant building of sports tourism as a driver for visitor arrivals and revenue in Jamaica.”
IN A breathtaking finish that encapsulated the drama of youth cricket, Sri Lanka Under-19s snatched a heart-stopping one-wicket victory from the jaws of defeat against West Indies Under-19s in the second Youth ODI at the Coolidge Cricket Ground yesterday.
Chasing a modest target of 202, the young Sri Lankans seemed to be cruising before late wickets set up a grandstand finish, ultimately clinching victory with two overs and a single wicket to spare to level the seven-match series at a game apiece.
The hosts, having been dismissed for 201 in 47.5 overs, will rue a missed opportunity after their bowlers fought valiantly to defend a below-par total.
The innings was built almost solely on the back of a magnificent 82 from captain Joshua Dorne, who provided the backbone of the West Indian effort.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) acknowledges and accepts the apology from Paul Nixon, Head Coach of the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, and the Falcons’ management regarding recent inaccurate comments made by Coach Nixon about CWI's handling of players' medical information.
CWI welcomes the clarification and recognition that there was no intent to offend or misrepresent and takes the opportunity to clarify the facts.
CWI's operating procedures for physiotherapists require the provision of detailed handover reports to franchise medical teams prior to the start of any tournament, a process that was followed ahead of the 2025 Caribbean Premier League (CPL), which commenced on August 14.
Contrary to the initial comments made by Coach Nixon, following the conclusion of the final ODI against Pakistan on August 12, Dr. Denis Byam, Lead Physiotherapist for CWI, provided the relevant medical handover documentation to the Leeward Islands franchise, where the player in question Justin Greaves is contracted, as well as to the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons’ medical staff.
Dwayne Bravo is not thinking of becoming a West Indies head coach.
Bravo was asked about coaching the Windies following the Trinbago Knight Riders’ six-wicket victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Saturday night.
Bravo is in his first season as coach of the Trinidad franchise, and he was quick to shut down talk of coaching the Caribbean side.
“The West Indies team has a coach and we have to respect that. I give (Daren) Sammy my support,” he told the media.
“I’m here to help in any way possible but I don’t see myself as head coach of West Indies, let’s make that very clear.”
Explosive opener Brandon King and fast bowlers Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph are among 28 West Indians set to go under the hammer in the SA20 2025-26 auction on September 9.
In total, 541 players have been entered in the auction ahead of Season 4 of the T20 tournament, which bowls off on December 26.
Other notable West Indies players entered in the auction are Test vice-captain Jomel Warrican, Keacy Carty, Alick Athanaze, Johnson Charles, Gudakesh Motie, Matthew Forde, Mikyle Louis and Jewel Andrew.
The auction will feature 300 players from South Africa, 97 players from England, 24 Sri Lankans, 14 from Bangladesh and two Australians, while Dipendra Singh Airee is the only Nepal player included.
