The upcoming appearance will be the first for the 28-year-old sprinter since she pulled the plug on her 2020 season, in May, when the coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc on the international track and field schedule.
The American Track League, which is part of the World Athletics Silver Tour, gives professional athletes an opportunity to return to competition as preparations begin for an Olympic year.
The meet, which is staged in four-parts, ran off in Fayetteville, Arkansas on Sunday. 2016 Olympic gold medalist in the 110m hurdles, Omar McLeod, who raced in the 60 metres, was one of several Jamaicans who took part on the opening weekend. The list also included the likes of Tyquendo Tracey, Senoj-Jay Givans, and Christopher Taylor. The meet will continue with the next three installments on January 31st, February 7th, and February 14th.
Williams, the 2019 Diamond League champion, is based in South Carolina in the USA where she trains with coach Lennox Graham at Clemson University.
The West Indies began their tour of Ireland in disappointing fashion, crashing to a 124-run defeat in the opening One-Day International (ODI) at Malahide on Wednesday, as Andy Balbirnie’s classy century and a four-wicket haul from Barry McCarthy left the visitors reeling.
Brian Lara, widely regarded as one of the greatest batters in Test cricket history, is set to captain the West Indies Masters in the International Masters League (IML), which begins on February 22 in India. The tournament, featuring six teams composed of retired cricketing legends, will be played across three cities—Navi Mumbai, Rajkot, and Raipur—with the final scheduled for March 16.
Keacy Carty hit his second ODI century and Matthew Forde equalled the record for the fastest ODI half-century, but persistent rain forced the second ODI between West Indies and Ireland to be declared a no result on Friday.
Keacy Carty’s purple patch with the bat continued as he registered a third century in four matches, but his effort was ultimately eclipsed by a sublime unbeaten 166 from Joe Root that powered England to a three-wicket victory and an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-match ODI series against the West Indies at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Sunday.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced its participation in a historic three-match T20 International series against the Asian nation of Nepal, the first-ever bilateral series between the two teams, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing mission to grow and globalize the game of cricket.
Chris Dehring, the highly regarded Jamaican sports administrator, who is about to embark on the job as CEO of Cricket West Indies, has been named to join a panel of experts to advise on the future of the sport of cricket around the world.
Barbados and West Indies cricket legend the Most Honourable Desmond Haynes has been appointed to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Men’s Cricket Committee, marking yet another prestigious honour in a storied career that spans decades of excellence and service to the sport.
West Indies cricket legend Jeff Dujon voiced strong displeasure with the decision taken by Cricket West Indies (CWI) to remove Andre Coley as the head coach of the West Indies Test team. CWI announced Coley's impending departure during a media briefing in St Vincent which was attended by President Dr Kishire Shallow, Directors of the Board and Miles Bascombe, the Director of Cricket.
England weathered a brutal late assault from the West Indies to clinch a four-wicket win in the second T20 International on Sunday, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Set a challenging target of 197 after a sensational finish by the West Indies, England successfully chased down the total in 18.3 overs at the County Ground, led by crucial contributions from Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, and Tom Banton.
Chris Gayle has expressed his excitement as he prepares for his comeback on the international cricket stage. The 45-year-old self-proclaimed Universe Boss and undisputed king of T20 cricket, announced his comeback on Thursday as he prepares for the International Masters League, which is set to be played in front of thousands of fans in India. Gayle is part of the West Indies 15-member squad selected for the tournament.
The effort was the latest in a series of philanthropic acts undertaken by the athlete, who also recently donated tablets to student-athletes and printing machinery to the Jamaica Cancer Society who produces large volumes of readouts of pap smears, mammograms, and testicular cancer screenings on a daily basis. Williams also conducted a Christmas treat, in Montego Bay, in December.
The 18-year-old, who is also a patron of the Caribbean’s largest charity event, the Sigma Sagicor Run 2021, was lauded by the Prime Minister for her charitable efforts.
“I am happy that our young people are being agents of change and are willing to help build our great nation through service. Keep up the good work, Briana,” he wrote on his social media pages.
For Williams, it was inspirational to meet the Prime Minister once again. She was awarded the Prime Minister’s Youth Award for Excellence in sports, in 2018, following her outstanding performances at the World Under-20 Championships and CARIFTA Games, where she won the coveted Austin Sealy award.
“It was an honour to sit with him and he was just so encouraging and inspirational. Just being able to speak to him about my training and my preparations was so uplifting for me. He also promised to match my donation by purchasing printers for distribution to more schools as well. I know that if each of us contributes in some way, we can help Jamaica recover stronger, so I’m just happy to play my part,” said Williams.
Williams was accompanied by her manager Tanya Lee and Dominique Walker, CEO of Printware Online who provided the printers.
Bangladesh wrapped up a dominant T20 International series against a struggling West Indies team with an emphatic 80-run victory in the third and final match at the Arnos Vale Ground in St. Vincent. The win secured Bangladesh’s first 3-0 T20I series sweep in nearly two years and capped a tough tour with a resounding triumph.
With anticipation building for Australia’s first tour to Jamaica in a decade, Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) President Dr. Donovan Bennett has confirmed that the installation of upgraded floodlights and a state-of-the-art scoreboard at Sabina Park is progressing on schedule. The upgrades are essential for the venue to host the historic day/night pink-ball Test match between West Indies and Australia, set for July 12–16, 2025.
The 31-years-old Praught-Leer is Jamaica’s record holder in the 3000m Steeplechase event and represented the country at the 2015 and 2017 IAAF World Championships, as well as the 2016 Olympics, where she qualified for the final.
In addition, the athlete also captured gold in the event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia. Praught-Leer has, however, contemplated switching events to try her hand at competing in the 1500m.
The athlete had hoped to make her 1500m Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games but like many others had to set aside those plans as the event was postponed due to the onslaught of the coronavirus. She has already begun her quest to qualify for this summer's Games by targeting three events, the 3000m steeplechase, 5000m, and 1500m. She currently has personal best times of 15:07.50 in the 5000m, 9:14.09 seconds in the 3000m steeplechase, and 4:05.52 in the 1500 metres.
Praught-Leer previously represented Under Armour after signing a contract with that brand in 2017, earlier this month, however, she announced via social media that her contract with the company had come to an end.
Jamaica’s cricket fans could be treated to seven nights of international cricket this July when Australia arrives for a Test match and two T20 Internationals, but that excitement hinges on the completion of crucial lighting upgrades at Sabina Park.
Jomel Warrican delivered a match-winning performance with the ball as the West Indies secured a resounding 120-run victory over hosts Pakistan in Multan, levelling the two-Test series 1-1. Warrican's five-wicket haul in the second innings, combined with contributions from his fellow spinners, saw Pakistan bowled out for 133 from their overnight score of 76-4 unravelling within just over an hour on Day Three.
Keacy Carty fell just short of history on Sunday but delivered another masterclass with the bat, powering the West Indies to a commanding 197-run victory over Ireland in the third and final One-Day International at Dublin. His knock of 170 not only sealed the series levelled the series at 1-1 for the visitors but also brought him within touching distance of a long-standing record held by none other than Sir Vivian Richards.
West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach will return to Surrey County Cricket Club for the opening four matches of the Rothesay County Championship, marking his fifth consecutive season with the defending champions.
West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite heaped praise on his team following their resounding 120-run victory over Pakistan in the second Test in Multan on Monday. The victory not only squared the two-match series at 1-1 but also marked the West Indies' first Test win in Pakistan since 1990.
