New Zealand won their maiden Women's T20 World Cup title, seeing off South Africa with a 32-run victory in the final on Sunday.

They came into the tournament as underdogs on the back of a torrid losing streak, but held strong for a comprehensive win to claim a surprise crown.

Suzie Bates got New Zealand off to a strong start with her knock of 32, but it was Amelia Kerr's vital contribution of 43 that spurred them through the innings, despite a slight lull in the middle stages.

Brooke Halliday (38), who had a 57-run partnership with Kerr, ensured the White Ferns finished solidly against a wasteful South Africa bowling performance, as they racked up 158-5.

However, Kerr shone again in the field, finishing with 3-24, while Rosemary Mair also took 3-25 in an impressive display.

The Proteas dominated in the powerplay, as Laura Wolvaardt (33) and Jasmin Brits (17) combined for 51 on the first wicket, but they started to stumble shortly after Kerr ended the former's stand.

Only Chloe Tryon (14) and Annerie Dercksen (10) hit double figures after the top order, and the wickets toppled as New Zealand claimed an emotional victory.

Data Debrief: Taking the crown

New Zealand were on a 10-match losing streak coming into the World Cup, but have lost just once during the tournament - a blip against Australia in their second match.

History was also not on their side in T20 World Cup finals, with the team losing successive show-piece games in 2009 and 2010.

However, they put in an admirable performance on Sunday, with Kerr's three wickets at the Dubai International Stadium seeing her finish as the tournament's leading wicket taker.

It was yet more heartbreak for South Africa, though, as they lost their second consecutive final, with the country's wait for a global cricket title continuing. 

Sri Lanka defeated the West Indies by five wickets via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in the first ODI at Pallekele on Sunday, marking their third consecutive victory after winning the last two T20 Internationals to clinch the series 2-1.

Chasing a DLS-adjusted target of 232 in 37 overs, Sri Lanka’s pursuit was powered by a crucial 137-run partnership between Nishan Madushka and Charith Asalanka. The pair's half-centuries laid the foundation for Sri Lanka’s victory, which came with 31 balls to spare. Their century stand came in just 88 balls, as they took full advantage of the wayward West Indies bowling.

Madushka and Asalanka were ruthless in their approach, capitalizing on poor deliveries, with only Gudakesh Motie providing any resistance. Motie was the pick of the West Indies bowlers with 3-47, while Alzarri Joseph chipped in with 2-39. However, their efforts were not enough to stifle Sri Lanka’s charge, as they raced to 200 in just 27.3 overs, making victory inevitable.

After Asalanka’s departure, Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis put on an unbroken 47-run partnership to secure the win. Liyanage remained unbeaten on 18, while Mendis finished on 30 not out.

Earlier in the day, the West Indies had been frustrated by rain, which halted their innings at 185 for 4 after 38.3 overs. Sherfane Rutherford had mounted a counter-attack, scoring an unbeaten 74, while Roston Chase contributed 33 not out in an 85-run fifth-wicket stand. Their partnership came off 78 deliveries and provided a much-needed boost after Sri Lanka’s spinners had dominated the early proceedings.

Wanindu Hasaranga was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka, taking 2-18, while Jeffrey Vandersay and Charith Asalanka claimed a wicket apiece. Despite the interruption caused by rain, Sri Lanka’s spinners laid the groundwork for a comfortable chase, leaving the West Indies unable to capitalize on the toss and their decision to bat first.

With this five-wicket win, Sri Lanka takes an early lead in the three-match ODI series, continuing their momentum from the T20s.

In a thrilling climax to the Junior Cup All-Island Football Finals, Hillel Academy captured their first-ever national title in spectacular fashion, defeating Lannaman’s Prep in a nail-biting penalty shootout at the Constant Spring Football Field on Saturday, October 19. The intense day of football saw the island’s top primary and preparatory schools battle for supremacy, but it was Hillel's grit and determination that ultimately secured their place in history, in what will be remembered as one of the most exciting finishes to the competition.

After three weeks of fierce regional contests, 12 of Jamaica’s finest school teams arrived at the final showdown, each vying for the coveted Junior Cup title. Throughout the day, fans were treated to 19 action-packed matches, filled with skillful plays, heart-stopping moments, and the indomitable spirit of Jamaica’s young footballers.

The semi-final stage was a true test of resilience, with Lannaman’s Prep edging Liberty Prep 1-0 to secure their spot in the final, while Hillel Academy overcame a strong Port Antonio Primary team with a hard-fought 2-1 victory. This set the stage for a thrilling final between two determined teams, each hungry for the championship.

In the final, Nugent Walker gave Hillel Academy an early lead, sending the Hillel supporters into a frenzy. However, Devoron Dixon of Lannaman’s Prep quickly responded, equalizing with a brilliant goal that brought the match to a 1-1 tie. Both teams battled fiercely, but neither could break the deadlock in regular time, pushing the match to the ultimate test—penalty kicks.

With the championship hanging in the balance, Hillel Academy held their nerve during the penalty shootout, sealing a dramatic victory that crowned them Junior Cup champions for the first time. The triumph was met with joyous celebrations from the Hillel players, coaches, and supporters, who had waited years for this historic moment.

Reflecting on the success of the tournament, Paula Pinnock, managing director of FYI Consultancy Group and the driving force behind the Junior Cup, expressed her pride in the event. “This tournament has been an extraordinary showcase of youth football talent and sportsmanship. In its third year, the Junior Cup has grown in both scale and prestige, and we are incredibly proud of the level of competition we’ve seen,” Pinnock said. “With the success of this year’s tournament, we are excited to add another spectacular championship to the calendar of youth football events, giving more young athletes the opportunity to shine on the national stage.”

The Junior Cup All-Island Finals not only celebrated the competitive spirit of Jamaica’s young footballers but also reinforced the importance of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. As Hillel Academy basks in the glory of their hard-fought victory, the tournament’s success signals a bright future for youth football development in Jamaica, setting the stage for the next generation of football stars to emerge.

Los Angeles FC beat their cross-city rivals, the LA Galaxy, to top spot in the Western Conference on the final day of the MLS regular season, while D.C. United were pipped to a playoff place by Atlanta United.

The Galaxy simply needed to avoid defeat to take the West's number one seed, with LAFC coming from behind to beat the San Jose Earthquakes 3-1.

Having gone behind to an Ezequiel Ponce strike away at the Houston Dynamo, the Galaxy drew level six minutes into second-half stoppage time as MLS Newcomer of the Year favourite Gabriel Pec converted from the penalty spot.

However, former Galaxy defender Daniel Steres headed into the top-left corner 11 minutes into stoppage time to hand LAFC their third conference title, and their second in three seasons.

Elsewhere, there was heartbreak for Troy Lesesne's D.C. side as a 3-0 defeat at home to Charlotte FC saw them slip out of the wild-card places in the Eastern Conference.

That result opened the door to Atlanta, who upset Orlando City with a 2-1 road win to move ahead of D.C. on goal difference and join Montreal in the wild-card round.

Josef Martinez joined Caden Clark on the scoresheet as Montreal beat already-qualified New York City 2-0 at Stade Saputo to finish eighth.

Those results meant the Philadelphia Union missed the postseason for the first time since 2017, as they squandered a 1-0 lead in a 2-1 home loss to FC Cincinnati to finish 12th. 

There was chaos at Carder Park in Portland as the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Wata daCosta Cup second round contest between former champions Glenmuir High and Titchfield High was briefly halted due to darkness on Saturday.

As the natural light faded, anticipation was that the lights at the venue would have been turned on by the ground personnel. However, a delay in doing so caused a pause in the game with Glenmuir leading 2-0 and 25 minutes plus added time to play, leaving fans disgruntled.

After about a 15-minute pause, the lights were eventually turned on, and Glenmuir saw off the remaining minutes to make it consecutive wins as they booked their spot in the Round of 16.

Orel Miller and Orane Watson scored the goals for Glenmuir High, who heads Group 7 on six points, three ahead of reigning champions Clarendon College, who registered a 3-1 win over Paul Bogle, also on three points. Titchfield is yet to get on the board.

Meanwhile, Happy Grove edged Denbigh High 4-3 in their Group 5 clash, which served as the curtain-raiser for the Glenmuir, Titchfield clash at Carder Park. The win, Happy Grove's second on the trot, secured them a spot in the Round of 16 as they sit comfortably atop the standings on six points.

Belair (one point), Denbigh (one point), and Holmwood Technical (zero point) complete Group 5.

Frome Technical also secured a Round of 16 berth with a 2-0 win over Black River High in Santa Cruz. Frome Technical remain at the summit of Group 2 on six points, two ahead of Ocho Rios High, who won their encounter 4-0 over Cedric Titus.

Saturday’s results

Maldon High 0, Alphansus Davis 2

Black River High 0, Frome Tech 2

STETHS 0, Manchester High 0

Spot Valley High 1, Kemps Hill High 2

Happy Grove High 4, Denbigh High 3

Titchfield High 0, Glenmuir High 2

Port Antonio High 4, Yallahs High 1

Rusea’s High 1, Cornwall College 1

Ocho Rios High 4, Cedric Titus High 0

Browns Town High 2, Munro College 1

William Knibb Memorial 0, Mannings School 1

Paul Bogle High 1, Clarendon College 3

Christiana High 4, St Mary High 0

Holmwood Tech vs Belair High (postponed)

Dinthill Technical 0, Central High 0

Garvey Maceo High 2, McGrath High 2

Presentation College closed the gap between them and leaders St. Benedict’s College in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) to four points with a 2-0 win over San Juan North Secondary on Saturday.

A second half double from Vaughn Clement gave Presentation the win and moved them to 28 points from 11 games with a game in hand on the leaders.

Clement’s goals came in the 56^th and 89^th minutes.

Leaders St. Benedict’s dropped points after being held to a 1-1 draw by Signal Hill Secondary. The prolific Derrel Garcia gave St. Benedict’s the lead in the 55^th minute before Kyle James equalized for Signal Hill 20 minutes from full time.

Defending champions Fatima College were the biggest winners of the day, 5-1 over East Mucurapo Secondary.

Liam Gooding (41’) and Michael Chaves (43’) scored in quick succession to give Fatima a 2-0 lead going into the halftime interval before Keysan Haynes gave East Mucurapo life in the 60^th minute to make it 2-1.

That hope was quickly dashed as Seth Hadeed (64’) made it 3-1 before Josiah Gobin (74’, 86’) completed the scoring. Fatima remain third in the standings with 26 points from their 12 outings.

Other results on Saturday:

Arima North Secondary 2-0 St. Mary’s College

Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School 3-2 Malick Secondary

Queen’s Royal College 4-1 Trinity College East

Speyside Secondary 0-1 St. Anthony’s College

St. Augustine Secondary 3-1 Naparima College

Calabar High School and Camperdown High signed off the preliminary round of the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Digicel Manning Cup on a positive note as they played out a 1-1 stalemate in their final Zone D encounter at Red Hills Road on Saturday.

Jahreem McKenzie fired Camperdown in front in the 25th minute, but that effort was cancelled out by Jayden Perry (30th), who ensured Calabar remain upbeat heading into the second round for the first time in seven years.

With the point, Calabar ended second on 23 points, two points behind STATHS, who blanked Haile Selassie 5-0 in the other group contest. Vauxhall (13 points) ended third ahead of Camperdown (12 points), Haile Selassie (12 points) and Kingston Technical (zero).

Calabar’s Head coach Andrew Price was pleased with the effort of his fringe players.

“It was basically an audition for some of the players that didn’t get any playing time throughout the round. So we took a look at them as we go into the second round, and I must say well done to the team for this round, but the work just begins now; we have to be steadfast and resolute in our preparation for the second round because we know we are going to come up against tougher opposition,” Price said in a post-game interview.

Despite already being through to the next round of the competition, Calabar were in no mood to relent, as they were spirited at the start and looked more threatening in open play of the early exchanges. They created a few half chances but couldn’t get on target.

That allowed Camperdown to break the deadlock against the run of play when McKenzie got on the end of a through pass and confidently finished his third of the season.

However, the lead was short-lived as Calabar pulled level when Camperdown’s goalkeeper Roshawn Gilroy failed to advance to a loose ball and Perry capitalised with a close range finish to also register his third of the season.

The second half offered very little to write home about, though Calabar asserted their authority on the contest and bossed possession. Still, chances were at a premium, as the Red Hills Road boys only had a couple half looks on goal, which amounted to nothing.

The stalemate left Camperdown’s coach, Karume Huie, beaming with pride at the strides made by his young team, though they missed out on the second round.

“Yes, disappointed that we didn’t make the next round, but in live you see a light at the end of the tunnel and so I am proud of my boys. I gave some 13- and 14-year-olds a chance to play in this game, so it’s a work in progress, and we will bounce back stronger next year,” Huie declared.

Saturday’s results

Calabar 1, Camperdown 1

STATHS 5, Haile Selassie 0

Mona 1, Charlie Smith 0

Vauxhall 6, Kingston Technical 2

Jamaica College 7, Bridgeport 1

President of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA), Drumeco Archer, sees a bright future ahead for Bahamas’ track and field program with stalwarts Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Steven Gardiner on the backend of their respective remarkable careers.

The Bahamas finished the 2024 Paris Olympics with no medals. The last time that happened was at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea.

Their best hope for a medal, Gardiner, who was the defending Olympic Champion, pulled up injured in his semi-final of the Men’s 400m while Miller-Uibo, Olympic Champion in 2016 and 2021, failed to advance from the heats in the Women’s equivalent.

World Indoor Champion and record holder in the 60m hurdles, Devynne Charlton, finished sixth in the final of the 100m hurdles, the same place she finished three years earlier in Tokyo.

Despite these lean results, Archer, speaking on the latest episode of Out D’ Blocks on the SportsMax TV YouTube Channel, says he is optimistic about the future of the country’s track and field program.

“I am very optimistic about where we are in our program. Yes, I think that when you give a woman a rose, you just can’t stop and that is really the expectation of the world and, no doubt, our local community,” Archer said.

“With an illustrious 10-year span for both Shaunae (Miller-Uibo) and Steven Gardiner, obviously there’s an expectation but I think what we’ve done over the years is have the vision of trying to continue to produce new growth to the program and so I think we have a legion of new rising stars that will replace the likes of Shaunae and Steven,” Archer added.

In addition to her two Olympic titles, Miller-Uibo, 30, also won the World title in 2022 and took silver at both the 2015 and 2017 World Championships.

Gardiner, 29, also won gold at the World Championships in 2019.

Archer noted that he believes that these two stalwarts of Bahamian sprinting still have some more great performances in their future.

 “Let me just say that this is really not the end for them. There’s a lot more in the gas tank. Let me preface by saying I don’t speak for them but I’m optimistic that you just don’t end your career like that so I’m expecting them to return to the big stage and deliver as the world expects them to,” he said.

Jamaican netballer Abigale Sutherland is no stranger to the highs and lows of the sport she loves. But as she gears up for a return to international action with the Sunshine Girls in the upcoming four-match Vitality Horizon series against England, her passion and hunger for the game have never been stronger. 

Sutherland, whose career has seen its fair share of triumphs and challenges, has been using the recent international break to her advantage. For the dynamic centre, the pause in the competitive schedule was anything but a rest. Instead, it’s been a period of growth and self-reflection—a time to hone her skills and recharge her energy. 

With the prestigious series against now number-two England scheduled for November 16 and 17 in Manchester, and November 25 and 26 in Jamaica, Sutherland can barely contain her excitement for the challenge to come. 

“I’m extremely excited and proud to have been selected for the senior Sunshine Girls team again. During the break, I’ve focused on my personal growth and training, and I truly feel like I’m possibly in the best shape of my career. I’m eager to bring that energy and improvement onto the court and push myself to the limit, particularly with the added excitement of playing on home soil,” Sutherland told SportsMax.Tv. 

“It’s a privilege to play at home, and I’m ready to show what I’ve been working on and give my all for the team and our supporters. Every match is an opportunity to not just play, but to show the world how much I’ve grown because playing against England is always a tough test, but that’s the kind of challenge I thrive on,” she added. 

Sutherland’s career has been defined by resilience, as there have been moments of brilliance, but also times when injuries or off-form performances have threatened to slow her momentum. However, each setback has only made her stronger, deepening her resolve to make the most of every opportunity that comes her way. 

"Netball quickly became my passion when I attended St Patrick’s Primary and then I went to The Queens School, where I got the opportunity to represent Jamaica at the Under 16 level, eventually becoming the captain. Once I got a foot in the national program, I steadily transitioned upward. But you know in sports, you have your ups and downs, so the journey hasn’t been without challenges. I’ve faced many disappointments, including being left off teams at times, but looking back, it was all worth it," Sutherland admitted. 

Sutherland's opportunities came in 2022 when she made her senior team debut in the Taini Jamison Cup, and then the Americas Qualifiers that same year. Since them, the now 23-year-old has become a staple centre-court player for the Sunshine Girls, and was even a part of the team that copped bronze at the previous Netball World Cup. 

"I’ve learned from every experience. The key is to stay focused and hungry. Going through the highs and lows taught me to be patient with myself and really embrace the journey," Sutherland shared. 

"I’ve learned that when you’re given an opportunity, it’s important to make the most of it. These experiences have shown me that I’m stronger than I sometimes give myself credit for, and that hard work truly does pay off in the end. Every setback and success has shaped me, both as a player and as a person," she noted.

That said, Sutherland, who is set to graduate the UWI with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology in November, pointed out that the upcoming games are not just about playing another international series—it’s about seizing the moment.  

As such, her focus now is on delivering consistently and being a key contributor to Jamaica’s continued rise in the sport. 

"This series won’t be easy, but I’m confident we’ll come out on the winning end. We have a well-rounded team that includes legends who I am grateful and privileged to be playing alongside, and we have a strong balance of experience and depth across every position. Everyone has been putting in the work, and I believe that with the quality we have, we’re in a great position to top the series," Sutherland reasoned. 

"Mentally, I’ve been encouraging and speaking to myself daily, setting goals, and pushing myself to meet them. I’ve been working hard in the gym and on the court, and playing in local leagues to stay sharp. The feedback from my coaches and teammates has also been really positive, which boosts my confidence and helps me stay focused," she explained. 

Armed with fresh determination and a drive to succeed, the jovial player, is optimistic that a positive showing in the series will open the doors for a possible contract in one of the top leagues in Australia, New Zealand or England. 

“My overall goal is to compete at the highest level of netball, both for my country and in a top league. I want to be part of a World Cup-winning team with Jamaica because I truly believe that will happen. But, beyond that, I want to enjoy my years as a professional athlete, making the most of every opportunity and achieving everything I possibly can," Sutherland ended.

Though the outcome at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup wasn’t what they wanted, West Indies head coach Shane Deitz praised his team’s commitment and resilience to push beyond circumstances and prove competitive throughout the tournament.

Deitz’s commendation came after his team fell just shy of contesting another final, as they lost their semi-final contest by eight runs short to New Zealand in Sharjah on Friday.

Despite being plagued with injuries throughout, as Stafanie Taylor fought through a recurring knee issue, all-rounder Deandra Dottin was restricted from bowling early due to concerns about a side strain, and Chinelle Henry took a hit to the face during the semi-final game, the Caribbean side showed grit and determination, much to their coach’s delight.

“It’s been a pretty emotional few days for us. After a huge win over England, emotions were high, and we had to regroup quickly. I think the girls managed that well. They are incredibly passionate about playing for the West Indies and give everything, both body and soul, every time they step onto the field. It’s hard not to be emotional after seeing that commitment,” Deitz said.

He singled out Taylor for her commitment to brave her injury in the semifinal.

“The medical team did a fantastic job managing her condition. Every day, she was battling pain, but her determination was remarkable. Today, she looked better than she had for weeks. It was a mind-over-matter for her, and even though she couldn’t get us over the line, she gave everything for the team. We all respect and thank her for that,” Deitz declared.

While they didn’t make the final, Deitz took heart from their overall showing as they topped Group B and knocked out England, one of the world’s most dominant teams, in the first round. This, after bouncing back from a crushing 10-wicket loss to South Africa in the tournament opener.

“Over the last 12 months, we’ve been working on a style of cricket that suits the West Indies. We’ve been developing a way to play with our flair and confidence, something that’s been a hallmark of West Indies cricket for a long time,” he said.

“We don’t want to rely on other teams making mistakes; we want to dominate on our terms. We’re still in the process of building, but we’ve made significant strides. By the time the next T20 World Cup comes around in 2026, we’ll be ready to take on the world again,” Deitz added.

Jamaican Jacqueline Williams is set to serve as the fourth umpire for what will be an historic ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final as South Africa and New Zealand hunt their first hold on the title.

In fact, neither South Africa nor New Zealand have won the Women's ODI World Cup either. However, South Africa will be playing in their second successive final after losing to Australia in the 2023 showpiece.

Williams, who has achieved some historic feats along the way in her officiating career, will work alongside Nimali Perera and Claire Polosak, who will umpire their first final. Anna Harris will act as the third umpire.

GS Lakshmi has been selected as the match referee for the final in Dubai.

Perera stood in the semi-final between Australia and South Africa earlier in the tournament, having also officiated last year’s semi-final between Australia and India.

Claire Polosak is a highly experienced umpire, with Sunday marking her 64th career women’s T20 international, and the 2024 final marks the first time she will oversee an ICC World Cup final.

Polosak was one of the on-field umpires during the 2023 edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals in South Africa, as well as this year’s semi-final between West Indies and New Zealand in Sharjah.

The final will take place at Dubai International Stadium.

Officials: On-field: Nimali Perera & Claire Polosak; Third: Anna Harris; Fourth: Jacqueline Williams; Referee: GS Lakshmi