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• Stokes opts against IPL auction but Anderson and Archer are in

  England Test captain Ben Stokes will not play in the 2025 Indian Premier League, after deciding not to put himself in the auction.

  While there are 52 English cricketers who have registered for the auction – including James Anderson and Jofra Archer – Stokes will not be among them when it is held on November 24 and 25.

  Under new rules announced by the IPL last month, it also means that Stokes will not be eligible to play in the 2026 competition.

  But 42-year-old Anderson, who is England's all-time leading wicket taker, will be among the names alongside Archer.

  Anderson does so having not played since his final Test against West Indies at Lord's in July, while it is 10 years since he has played T20, and he has never played in a franchise league.

  Archer, meanwhile, was the IPL's most valuable player in 2020 and is on the comeback trail following back and elbow injuries this year.

  While it is still hoped that he could feature against India next summer and the 2025-26 Ashes series, the 2025 IPL will clash with the beginning of the County Championship and could potentially prevent Archer from proving his Test fitness.

• Harpy Eagles defeat Hurricanes by eight wickets via DLS method for first win of the season

  The Guyana Harpy Eagles recorded their first win of the 2024 CG United Super50 Cup with an eight-wicket DLS method win over the Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on Tuesday.

  In a match reduced to 41 overs-per side, the Hurricanes were first bundled out for 139 in 34.2 overs after being put in to bat by the Harpy Eagles.

  Captain Rakheem Cornwall top scored with 36 while Jeremiah Louis made 34.

  Justin Greaves, who came into this game on the back of scores of 111* against the West Indies Academy, 112 against the Barbados Pride and 151* against the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, could only manage 27 this time around.

  Man of the match Veerasammy Permaul took 3-24 from nine overs and was supported well by Ashmead Nedd and Nial Smith who took 2-19 from eight overs and 2-42 from eight overs, respectively.

  Guyana then needed only 27.5 overs to reach 141-2 thanks to half centuries from captain Tevin Imlach and Matthew Nandu.

  Imlach made 69* off 76 balls, his third fifty of the season, while Nandu made a 74-ball 50.

  Full Scores:

  Leeward Islands Hurricanes 139 off 34.2 overs (Rakheem Cornwall 36, Jeremiah Louis 34, Justin Greaves 27, Veerasammy Permaul 3-24, Ashmead Nedd 2-19, Nial Smith 2-42)

  Guyana Harpy Eagles 141-2 off 27.5 overs (Tevin Imlach 69*, Matthew Nandu 50).

   

• Windies captain Shai Hope stresses need for efficient execution to clinch series decider against England

  West Indies ODI captain Shai Hope has once again stressed the importance of executing efficiently in order to clinch the series decider against England in a crucial contest at the iconic Kensington Oval in Barbados on Wednesday.

  Scheduled for a 1:00 pm start, the day-night match has stirred excitement among fans, with Hope rallying his side to draw from their recent performances and focus on building momentum for a strong finish in the three-match series.

  The series is currently locked at 1-1 after the West Indies won the opening contest by eight wickets, before England topped the second by five wickets.

  “It’s the biggest game of the series because we unfortunately conceded the last game, but this is a great occasion for us; we understand that we have a lot in front of us and we understand that we have to play good cricket to get over the England team,” Hope said in a pre-game interview.

  Reflecting on the second ODI, where he led by example with a brilliant 117, Hope underscored the significance of consistency in both batting and bowling.

  His century, along with half-centuries from Sherfane Rutherford (54) and Keacy Carty (71), were standout moments in a match that tested the resilience and skill of the West Indies lineup. However, the bowling department failed to deliver as England’s captain, Liam Livingstone, struck an unbeaten 124 to get his team across the line.

  “I’ll continue to preach that we need consistency in order for us to consider ourselves an elite team. We have to string performances together; it can’t always be one game or two games in a series; we have to seal it,” Hope said.

  “We have to play good cricket all the way through, and it is important that we understand the condition, the times of the game that we are supposed to be pressing and supposed to be relaxed. So, we have to be more consistent disciplined with our skills and make sure when we get to those crucial points of the game we press on,” he stressed.

  That said, Hope believes that his team is mentally primed for the challenge.

  “We are always mentally ready; I think that these most recent months we have been playing some really good cricket. We’ve had our ups and downs yes, but we can definitely see some improvements in the different stages in the game. For us, we have to ensure that we always have that positive mindset regardless of what we do in the field,” the Barbadian said.

  “We have to believe in our skills both inside and outside to ensure we have all the capable assets to go out there and perform for the West Indies. But the feeling is always good; the guys are raring and ready to go; we understand what is at stake, and this is basically a final for us,” Hope added, emphasizing that while the rivalry adds an edge to the contest, they are not letting it overshadow their approach.

  West Indies are currently 3-2 ahead in the head-to-head of the last five ODI meetings between the two teams dating back to December 2023.

  “You have an understanding of the history, but the past is the past because you have to go out there and play what is in front of you. You have to stay in the present, but we know what we are playing for. We know the amount of history that there is in our rivalry, so it is something that we have in the back of our minds, but not something we let get the better of us,” Hope ended.