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• GCB, BCA issue joint statement on absence from CWI governance vote: “CWI continues to ignore the voice of its shareholder representatives and full members”

  The Guyana Cricket Board and Barbados Cricket Association issued a joint statement on Friday explaining their absence from the critical Cricket West Indies governance vote scheduled for earlier in the day.

  The meeting, announced on November 13, 2024, was expected to focus on structural adjustments to CWI’s governance, including term limits for the President and Vice President, enhanced accountability measures, and other steps to modernize the organization’s framework.

  The meeting, convened to deliberate on reforms recommended in the Wehby Report, required the presence of all Full Member shareholders to proceed.

  Commissioned in 2019, the Wehby Report outlines a roadmap to reform CWI’s governance by promoting transparency, accountability, and alignment with global best practices. Key recommendations include restructuring the Board of Directors, modernizing operations, and enhancing stakeholder engagement.

  While the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), Leeward Islands Cricket Board (LICB), Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), and Windward Islands Cricket Board (WICB) were present, Guyana formally indicated its non-attendance, and Barbados did not provide a response.

  This marks the second instance of both entities abstaining from such meetings, the first occurring in 2021.

  Both the GCB and BCA issued a joint statement on Friday clarifying their decision to not attend the meeting.

  “There are and were no convincing reasons for BCA and GCB to support the sought changes/amendments to the Articles of the existing Memorandum & Articles of Association. Also, the proposed changes/amendments lack clarity in the form as presented and, for that matter, how they will benefit the Company in consideration of its multiple stakeholder base,” the statement read.

  Additionally, the statement outlines that the BCA submitted proposed changes to the structure on two separate occasions, with no response on either.

  “Previously, at the twenty-fifth CWI Annual Meeting of Members, held on 23^rd March 2024, the BCA proposal was to stop the infighting through electioneering at CWI and said proposal was supported by GCB.”

  “The current system for electing a President and Vice President provides for horse-trading and nepotism. The CWI proposed amendments do not include the BCA/GCB proposal as an option for members to discuss or vote on. CWI continues to ignore the voices of its shareholder reps and Full Members.”

  The statement went on to outline that both territorial boards rejected the proposals of the Wehby Report on the basis that “it seeks to relinquish power from the territorial boards and is further seen given recent decisions at CWI.”

  Proposals in the Wehby Report include increasing the fixed term for the President and Vice-President from two to three years while limiting each to two terms and territorial boards having one director each instead of two.

  There would also be three additional directors coming from a nomination process out of the six territorial representatives. The report also suggests that two of those directors be women.

  “In recent years, the Secretariat of the Company has on occasions, either forgot or ignored or failed to acknowledge the historical status of and the contribution made by its Full Members. Without want of curtailing zeal beyond boundaries, such habitual culture must reverse in the interest of progress,” the statement concluded.

   

   

   

   

• Atalanta 2-1 Milan: Lookman late show propels hosts to Serie A summit

  Atalanta climbed to the top of the Serie A table after Ademola Lookman struck late to secure a 2-1 win against Milan at the Gewiss Stadium.

  Only moments after being denied a winner by Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, Lookman arrived unmarked at the far post to nod in a corner in the 87th minute to seal a hard-fought win. 

  With 34 points from 15 matches, Tullio Gritti's side are now two points clear of second-placed Napoli, who will play Lazio at home on Sunday. 

  Charles De Ketelaere scored against his former club to put Atalanta ahead in the 12th minute, rising highest to head home Marten de Roon's free-kick. 

  But Milan struck back 10 minutes later when Rafael Leao's cross into the box was turned home by Alvaro Morata for his fourth league goal of the season. 

  The second half was an evenly contested affair, with both sides creating several chances before Lookman struck the decisive blow to leave Paulo Fonseca's side seventh in the table. 

  Data Debrief: Atalanta's dream run continues 

  The win against the Rossoneri was Atalanta's ninth consecutive victory in Serie A this season, matching the club record set between February and July 2020.

  They have also now scored at least two goals in each of their last 12 home games in Serie A, becoming the first team to do so after Juventus between November 2006 and January 2008. 

  Only Barcelona (48) have scored more than Atalanta's 38 goals in the five major European Leagues this season.

  Lookman's winner was his 11th Serie A goal of the season, and he has been involved in 18 goals in his last 18 league games, also bagging seven assists.

• Van Nistelrooy hints at January arrivals ahead of Brighton test

  Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy said he will have money available to spend in January as his side welcome Brighton to the King Power Stadium this Sunday. 

  The Foxes posted an impressive 3-1 win against West Ham in Van Nistelrooy's first Premier League game in charge on Tuesday, with captain Jamie Vardy, Bilal El Khannouss and Patson Daka finding the target.  

  However, with Leicester still only four points clear of safety with 13 points from 14 matches, the former Netherlands striker hinted at incomings during the winter transfer window. 

  "There were conversations about it before I signed. We said that there is no rush to do things and I agree with that," Van Nistelrooy said ahead of the Brighton game. 

  "The squad we have is getting all of the chances to prove themselves over this month. There is time after that to make a good assessment and we make a decision in January."

  Meanwhile, Brighton are gunning for the Champions League places, sitting fifth with 23 points.

  Despite a 3-1 defeat to Fulham in their last game, Fabian Hurzeler's side are only five points behind second-placed Chelsea. 

  Hurzeler, who will return to the Brighton dugout after serving a touchline suspension, acknowledged that Leicester will be a tough challenge for his side. 

  "They have quality, they play good football. They were very effective against West Ham. It will be interesting to see where they are," the 31-year-old German said. 

  "They have had a good start [under Van Nistelrooy] so it is up to us to break that up and get back the points we lost against Fulham."

  Danny Welbeck, who has scored four league goals against Leicester, is an injury doubt for Brighton, while the Foxes will be without Facundo Buonanotte, with the loanee not eligible to face his parent club. 

  "Facundo is doing a great job with Leicester, he is developing well. He works hard, and he has big potential," Hurzeler said. 

  PLAYERS TO WATCH

  Leicester - Jamie Vardy

  Vardy remains Leicester's biggest goal threat at the age of 37, with the captain also their top Premier League scorer this season with five goals. 

  He has also scored 11 goals in his last 14 league appearances against teams with Albion in their name, most recently netting against West Brom in April this year in the Championship.

  Brighton - Danny Welbeck

  After starting the season with six goals in nine games, Welbeck has failed to find the target in his last three outings, but he will be confident of finding the back of the net against one of his favoured opponents, should he be fit to feature. 

  He has scored four goals in 11 Premier League appearances against Leicester, with these strikes being worth seven points to his respective sides.

  MATCH PREDICTION: BRIGHTON WIN

  While Brighton are favoured by Opta's data-led simulations to win on Sunday, they have won none of their six Premier League away games against Leicester (D3 L3), with their last league victory at the King Power Stadium coming in the Championship in April 2014 (4-1).

  The Seagulls have also lost five of their last six top-flight away games played on a Sunday, as many as in their previous 16 such games (W7 D4). The only exception in this current run was a 5-0 win at Sheffield United in February.

  Five of Brighton’s last seven Premier League games against promoted sides have been drawn (W1 L1), including each of the last three in a row. The last team to draw four consecutive such games were Newcastle in the 2021-22 campaign.

  But having won six of their first eight Premier League meetings with Brighton (D2), Leicester are now winless in their last four against the Seagulls (D2 L2).

  However, the Foxes will be looking to build on their win over West Ham. They had seven big chances in their win on Tuesday in Van Nistelrooy's first game in charge, the joint-most big chances on record (since 2010-11) a team has had in their first Premier League match under a new manager, level with Manuel Pellegrini’s Manchester City against Newcastle (August 2013).

  Van Nistelrooy will also be hoping to join Claudio Ranieri (first two) and Craig Shakespeare (first five) in winning their first two games in charge of the Foxes in the Premier League. 

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  Brighton – 52.6%

  Leicester – 24.2%

  Draw – 23.2%