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• Andrew, Hinds, Springer earn maiden call-ups as Windies squads for white ball tour of Sri Lanka named

  Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced the squads selected for the eagerly anticipated West Indies Senior Men’s T20 International (T20I) and One Day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka. The teams are set to compete in three (3) T20Is and three (3) ODIs from 10 to 27 October 2024.

  T20I Squad

  The T20I squad will take on Sri Lanka from 10 to 17 October 2024. After a resounding 3-0 series sweep against South Africa earlier this year, the West Indies have climbed the rankings, moving to fourth place, and established themselves as serious contenders on the world stage. Several senior players, including Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Akeal Hosein and Shimron Hetmyer have opted out of the tour for personal reasons, opening the door for newer faces and returning players. Captain Rovman Powell will lead the side, with Roston Chase continuing in his role as Vice-Captain.

  Head Coach Daren Sammy, who now leads on selection under the revamped selection system, noted the importance of this series in evaluating players for key roles and understanding the conditions ahead of future ICC Tournaments.

  On the T20 squad, Coach Sammy said, “the tour of Sri Lanka gives us a chance to test our depth and assess players in different situations, especially with several senior players missing out for various reasons, including a need for rest and rehabilitation from injury. We are confident in the squad’s ability to compete strongly.”

  West Indies T20I Squad:

  1. Rovman Powell (Captain)
  2. Roston Chase (Vice Captain)
  3. Fabian Allen
  4. Alick Athanaze
  5. Andre Fletcher
  6. Terrance Hinds
  7. Shai Hope
  8. Alzarri Joseph
  9. Shamar Joseph
  10. Brandon King
  11. Evin Lewis
  12. Gudakesh Motie
  13. Sherfane Rutherford
  14. Romario Shepherd
  15. Shamar Springer

  The series will begin on 13 October 2024, with the first match at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, followed by two more matches on 15 and 17 October.

  ODI Squad

  The ODI squad is set to face Sri Lanka in a three-match series from 20 to 27 October 2024. Shai Hope will continue as Captain, with Vice-Captain support from Alzarri Joseph. This series provides an opportunity for CWI to focus on building its ODI team ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.

  A notable inclusion is Jewel Andrew, the young Antiguan wicketkeeper-batsman who has impressed and earned his place in the squad. The squad also sees the return of several key players, including Brandon King and Sherfane Rutherford.

  Head Coach Sammy, remarked on the ODI squad’s balance and potential for growth: “As we continue to build our ODI team, this tour offers a valuable opportunity to evaluate strategies and give opportunities to emerging talent. We are excited to see young players like Jewel Andrew, who has earned his place as an exciting prospect for the future.”

  West Indies ODI Squad:

  1. Shai Hope (Captain)
  2. Alzarri Joseph (Vice-Captain)
  3. Jewel Andrew
  4. Alick Athanaze
  5. Keacy Carty
  6. Roston Chase
  7. Matthew Forde
  8. Shamar Joseph
  9. Brandon King
  10. Evin Lewis
  11. Gudakesh Motie
  12. Sherfane Rutherford
  13. Jayden Seales
  14. Romario Shepherd
  15. Hayden Walsh Jr.

  Team Management:

  • Head Coach: Daren Sammy
  • Team Manager: Rawl Lewis
  • Assistant Coach (Fielding): Rayon Griffith
  • Assistant Coach (Batting): Floyd Reifer
  • Assistant Coach (Bowling): James Franklin
  • Physiotherapist: Neil Barry
  • Strength & Conditioning Coach: Ronald Rogers
  • Masseuse: Fitz Alleyne
  • Team Analyst: Avenesh Seetaram
  • Media & Content Officer: Jerome Foster

  Team management remains the same across both squads.

  The ODI series will start on 20 October 2024, with the first match at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, followed by matches on 23 and 26 October.

  Tour Schedule:

  T20I Series:

  • 1st T20I: 13 October 2024 – Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium
  • 2nd T20I: 15 October 2024 – Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium
  • 3rd T20I: 17 October 2024 – Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium

   

  All matches 7:00pm local time/9:30am Eastern Caribbean/8:30am Jamaica Caribbean fans can catch the action on Rush Sports, the Bluu App and Sports Max App.

   

  ODI Series:

  • 1st ODI: 20 October 2024 – Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
  • 2nd ODI: 23 October 2024 – Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
  • 3rd ODI: 26 October 2024 – Pallekele International Cricket Stadium

   

  All matches 2:30pm local time/5:00am Eastern Caribbean/4:00am Jamaica

  Caribbean fans can catch the action on Rush Sports, the Bluu App and Sports Max App.

   

   

   

• Johnson Charles credits positive mindset for stellar performance against Amazon Warriors

  St. Lucia Kings opener Johnson Charles attributed his match-winning performance against the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Wednesday night in the 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) to maintaining a positive mindset. Charles, who has been in stellar form throughout the season, top-scored with a blazing 79 from 45 balls, which included eight fours and five sixes. His efforts helped the Kings post a formidable total of 198-5, ultimately securing a 15-run victory via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method.

  Reflecting on his performance, Charles emphasized the importance of staying positive, especially when facing challenges from bowlers. “It's all about being positive, having that positive intent. I have been dismissed the most by left-arm spinners, but still, you’ve got to be positive and find ways to score. I am all about that positive intent and getting my team off to a great start,” Charles said.

  This season has been Charles’ most successful CPL campaign yet, with the St. Lucian star amassing 445 runs—a career-best. His explosive innings against the Warriors, which featured a commanding opening partnership of 124 runs with skipper Faf du Plessis, was crucial in putting the Kings in a winning position. Charles credited the synergy between him and du Plessis for their success at the top of the order.

  “We feed off each other’s energy. We have different styles of play; that gives us a very good understanding, and it also plays with the bowlers' minds,” Charles explained, highlighting how their contrasting approaches have unsettled opposition bowlers.

  Charles’ performance not only demonstrated his improved shot-making, but also his adaptability. He acknowledged that the evolution of the game requires constant innovation, both mentally and technically. “The game is evolving, and you’ve got to keep up the pace. Seeing that bowlers are always studying you and always trying to keep you bogged down, it’s all about staying up with the pace. I have been practicing different ways of scoring, whether it’s the switch hit or paddle sweep off the pacers, and it’s going good for me,” he said.

  With the Kings now on the cusp of a first CPL title, Charles believes that 2024 could finally be their year to lift the CPL trophy. “This means a lot; for so many years we have been trying. I believe this year is our year. I think we have a very good chance, and it’s our year to win this,” he concluded.

  As Charles continues to shine with the bat, his form and positive mindset will be critical as the Kings push for their first-ever CPL title.

   

   

• St Lucia Kings secure spot in 2024 CPL final after victory over Guyana Amazon Warriors in rain-shortened encounter

  Saint Lucia Kings booked their place in the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Final with a 15-run victory over reigning champions Guyana Amazon Warriors in a weather curtailed match at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence.

  The Warriors will now take on Barbados Royals on Friday with the winner of that match contesting the final with Kings on Sunday.

  Winning the toss and batting first proved a wise decision given the forecast and Faf du Plessis led from the front once more for his side. An opening stand of 124 runs between himself and Johnson Charles ensured the Kings posted a challenging total of 198-5 off their twenty overs.

  Charles was starting to eye up a three-figure score when he was well caught on the long-on boundary by Keemo Paul off the bowling of Moeen Ali for 79 off 45 deliveries. Du Plessis then fell for a well-made half-century of his own, the Kings captain forced to depart after Rahmanullah Gurbaz held on to an exceptional catch from a firmly hit shot down the ground off Shamar Joseph.

  The Warriors bowlers did well to keep the score down to a manageable target with Moeen Ali once again being the standout performer with the ball, figures of 2/24 off his four overs showcasing all his experience.

  In response, the Warriors had reached 106-4 at the end of the 13th over before the persistent drizzle turned into heavier rain and the players were taken off the field by the umpires. Unfortunately for the 2023 CPL champions it then did not relent meaning that they were behind the required run rate on DLS calculations when the match was called off over an hour later.

  Still requiring 92 runs off the remaining 42 deliveries when the weather intervened the Warriors would have still fancied their chances of hauling down the total with a well-set Shimron Hetmyer looking dangerous with 37 off 18 balls and with Moeen Ali having just joined him.

  Hetmyer had just opened his shoulders to hit four sixes in quick succession off Noor Ahmad and Roston Chase, despite this injection of runs the Warriors were comfortably behind the required DLS score of 121 when the rain decisively intervened.

  The Warriors will have a chance of setting up a re-match with a victory over Barbados Royals in the final eliminator match on Friday evening. Saint Lucia Kings will await either side in Sunday’s final with an inaugural CPL title very much in their sights.