Guyana Amazon Warriors helped their chances of securing a top two finish in the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) by inflicting a 47 run defeat on Barbados Royals. The Royals would have been hopeful for a top of the table finish too given their earlier form in the competition but a third defeat for them in recent matches means they may have to settle for third or fourth place and a harder path to the title.
Royals captain Rovman Powell won the toss on what looked a fantastic batting wicket and opted to insert the opposition. The pitch was conducive to stroke-play and despite the early loss of Rahmanullah Gurbaz the Warriors cashed in, posting an imposing 219/8 off their 20 overs.
At one point, when Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer were in full flow and displaying some mouth-watering strokeplay it very much looked like a bigger total would be in the offing for the Warriors but after the two experienced hands fell before the end (for 71 off 37 balls and 57 off 34 balls respectively) the Royals managed to peg the defending champions back in the final five overs. Maheesh Theeskhana the pick of the Royals bowlers with an economical and wicket-taking spell of 3/15.
ALTHOUGH expected to walk away from international cricket this year, Jamaica’s star all-rounder Andre Russell says he’s targeting a place in the West Indies squad for the Twenty20 (T20) World Cup in 2026.
Since last December the 36-year-old, who has 82 T20 international caps, became a regular staple in the Caribbean side again, after a two-year absence.
Two-time World Cup-winner Russell, who is regarded as one of the most revered players in the shortest versions of the game, made a positive impact on his return as he recorded two half-centuries and 21 wickets in 15 innings.
In June, West Indies Head Coach Daren Sammy said Russell is a valuable member of the squad, heading into the World Cup.
“What Andre brings to the table for us is his experience, calmness in different roles, and leadership. I am thrilled to have him in the squad, as I am for all the other guys. Over the last year we have been a team that is gelling better and putting consistent performances on the field — and Russell has significantly contributed to that,” Sammy said.
The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) is considering the restructuring of the Premiership League competition with a focus on improving the competitiveness of club cricket at the domestic level.
This was confirmed by TTCB vice-president Arjoon Ramlal over the weekend. However, he preferred not to disclose the proposed changes at this time.
“We will have a meeting then we will be in a better position to give further information but there are some proposals that are under consideration,” Ramlal confirmed.
“The process has not been completed and we really would not want to say anything while things are being discussed. Nothing has been finalised yet,” he insisted. “We don’t want to give the impression that a decision has been made already,”
Executive Member of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Shaun Massiah has been appointed a Director of Cricket West Indies (CWI) and will represent Guyana at the CWI’s Board of Directors meeting on September 28, 2024, at the Hilton Hotel in Trinidad and Tobago.
Massiah, who holds the key position of Chairman of the GCB Competitions Committee, is a former first-division cricketer and captained the Transport Club senior team for a number of years.
He is a qualified cricket coach having been accredited at Level One and Level Two of the CWI Coaching Education Programme.
Andre Fletcher, the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots captain, didn't mince words after his side ended their CPL 2024 campaign with a ninth successive defeat, at the hands of Trinbago Knight Riders in Tarouba.
On Sunday alone, they dropped Pooran at least four times after which the TKR batter aced a chase of 194 with an unbeaten 93 off 43 balls. Overall in the tournament, they had dropped at least 23 catches, according to ESPNcricinfo's logs, which cost them a number of a games, Fletcher has said.
"The guys [bowlers] executed well and dropping five catches in a crucial game, especially a world-class player as Pooran…I know, but not many people know, we dropped 28 catches in the tournament," Fletcher said. "As a fielding team, it's poor, way below poor. It actually cost us a lot of games, which we lost."
