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• Barbados Pride open Super50 campaign with 24-run DLS win over Jamaica Scorpions; Hurricanes thrash Windies Academy

  Barbados Pride opened their CG United Super50 campaign on a strong note as they topped Jamaica Scorpions by 24 runs via the DLS method at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Wednesday.

  Both teams entered the contest with hopes of securing early momentum in the tournament, but Barbados, on the back of a commanding 134-run partnership between Zachary McCaskie (63) and Leniko Boucher (73), posted a competitive 260-8 from their allotment.

  Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican then grabbed 4-25 in eight overs, including a maiden, and Dominic Drakes (3-34) to dismiss the Scorpions for 199 in 35 overs.

  Scores: Barbados Pride 260-8 (50 overs); Jamaica Scorpions 199 (35 overs)

  Very little went the Scorpions way after they won the toss and opted to bowl first. Despite removing Kadeem Alleyne (16), they were made to toil as McCaskie and Boucher’s second-wicket stand provided a solid foundation for the Pride to build on.

  McCaskie’s careful 91-ball knock, which included eight boundaries, was complemented by Boucher’s dynamic shot-making, as his 90-ball innings included nine boundaries and a solitary six. Together, they controlled the pace, accumulating runs while ensuring the Scorpions bowlers remained on the defensive, before both fell two runs apart.

  McCaskie went first caught by Odean Smith off Brad Barnes, while Jeavor Royal, who earlier removed Alleyne, accounted for Boucher in the following over.

  However, their efforts were backed up by a brisk 41 from captain Kyle Mayers, who was the aggressor in a 64-run fifth-wicket stand with Raymond Reifer (26). Mayers struck four boundaries and two maximums in his 30-ball knock as the Pride’s innings picked up further momentum, ensuring they reached a challenging total.

  Marquino Mindley (3-43) was the pick of the Scorpions bowlers, with Royal (2-43) and Brad Barnes (2-46) also contributing.

  With pressure on their batting line up to deliver, the Scorpions never really got going in their chase, as they lost Odain McCatty (one), captain John Campbell (26), Kirk McKenzie (12), and Carlos Brown (eight) in that order for just 58 runs.

  In the face of this collapse, Jermaine Blackwood (40) and Brad Barnes (22) mounted a recovery, stabilizing the Scorpions’ innings with a gritty 58-run stand before rain halted their progress.

  Blackwood, known for his powerful stroke play, brought experience to the fore, hitting two boundaries in a fairly patient 60-ball knock, while Barnes displayed poise in his 41-ball innings, working to rebuild under challenging conditions.

  However, both fell shortly after the resumption of play and started another collapse. Only Odean Smith, with an aggressive 27-ball 45 including five sixes and two fours, offered some resistance at the backend, but the Scorpions ultimately fell short.

  The win saw Barbados Pride into second position, joining leaders Leeward Islands Hurricanes, defending champions Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, and Windward Islands Volcanoes in the win column.

  Leeward Islands Hurricanes defeated West Indies Academy by 142 runs in a game reduced to 47 overs per side at Queen's Park Oval.

  Scores: Leeward Islands Hurricanes 236-7 (47 overs) - Justin Greaves 111 not out; West Indies Academy 94 (27.5 overs) -Rahkeem Cornwall 3-27, Daniel Doram  3-34

• Nicholas Pooran secures record-breaking US$2 million deal with Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL - reports

  Nicholas Pooran, the dynamic West Indies batter, is poised to earn an impressive US$2 million with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as their primary retention ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Reports indicate that Pooran’s retention became virtually official following a recent meeting with LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka in Kolkata, solidifying his spot as LSG’s key asset for the upcoming season.

   Originally, KL Rahul, who captained LSG for the past two seasons, was anticipated to be the top retention choice. However, with Rahul’s departure, Pooran stepped into the role, securing an 18 crore (approximately US$2 million) paycheck — the highest of his IPL career. LSG previously invested heavily in Pooran, acquiring him for ₹16 crore (around US$1.9 million) ahead of the 2023 season following his release by Sunrisers Hyderabad.

   “Pooran is committed to LSG, possesses a winning mindset, thinks deeply, and, above all, is adaptable to the batting order and any match situation,” a source close to the franchise said, explaining the rationale behind the hefty retention.

   Pooran's remarkable performance last season backs LSG’s decision. He was among the top run-scorers, amassing 499 runs at an impressive average of 62.38 and a strike rate of 178.21, with three half-centuries. His impact continued through 2024, where he’s emerged as the leading run-scorer in all formats of T20 cricket, hammering 2251 runs from 68 games. This places him well above other marquee T20 players, with the closest Indian contender, Virat Kohli, ranked significantly lower.

   With Pooran’s position secured, LSG is expected to retain a core group that includes spinner Ravi Bishnoi, young fast bowler Mayank Yadav, promising batsman Ayush Badoni, and left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan. Heading into the IPL mega-auction next month, LSG has a substantial purse of 69 crore, which will be used to fill 15 slots, rounding out a strong team.

   Meanwhile, KL Rahul is anticipated to be one of the most sought-after players in the auction. Rumors suggest that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) may be keen to bring Rahul back, particularly as veteran Faf du Plessis, now 40, nears the latter stages of his career. Rahul began his IPL journey with RCB in 2014, and a return could provide stability and leadership for the Bangalore-based team.

   As the IPL gears up for the 2025 season, Pooran’s elevation to LSG’s primary retention spot marks a significant moment for both the franchise and the player, with both hoping his performance will further solidify LSG’s stature in the league.

   

   

   

• Buttler has 'loads of hunger' to put 'frustrating' injury struggles behind him

  Jos Buttler is eager to put his "frustrating" injury absence behind him, and the England white-ball captain has "loads of hunger" to get back on the field.

  A recurring calf injury has kept Buttler sidelined since June, with the 34-year-old also set to miss the three-match ODI series against the West Indies, which begins on Thursday.

  Liam Livingstone will take over as captain in the absence of Buttler, who should return for the subsequent five-match T20 series in the Caribbean.

  And the keeper-batter cannot wait to appear for his country once more.

  "It's been frustrating, but now it's feeling good, and I'm looking forward to getting back on the field," he told TNT Sports. 

  "[I've had] a couple of little setbacks along the way, which is frustrating, but I'm using it to motivate me. I'm just excited to get back on the pitch and back with the bat in hand in the middle.

  "I'm OK at watching. I think it fuels that fire to get out in the middle and play. You want to be performing and part of the team, leading the side.

  "I try not to have a mindset of being frustrated, but take it as a bit of an extended break out of the game. But hopefully, [I can] see it as some time away to really give me loads of hunger to get back on the field."

  Buttler also offered his thoughts on Livingstone, who he believes is the safe pair of hands to take over the captaincy for the ODI series.

  "Liam is one of the more experienced numbers in that group, and it gives him a chance to get some leadership experience, build that leadership group," he added.

  "He's a player that's exciting as well, we know what he's capable of, and it's a really good opportunity for him to lead the team.

  "I think it's really important to let them go out there and do their thing. You don't want to be asking someone to do exactly what you want to do, you're trying to give guys experience. If he needs a sounding board or anything, he can certainly ask my opinion."