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• Cricket West Indies secures groundbreaking six-year media rights deal with ESPN Caribbean

  Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced a landmark six-year media rights agreement with ESPN Caribbean, covering the period from 2024 to 2030. This deal grants ESPN Caribbean exclusive broadcast and digital rights to all West Indies Men's and Women's home international matches, as well as the CG United Super50 Cup for both men's and women's regional tournaments. This partnership solidifies ESPN Caribbean's position as the premier destination for West Indies cricket in the region.

   Lynford Inverary, CWI's Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the significance of this agreement, saying, "This new six-year agreement with ESPN Caribbean marks the largest media rights deal CWI has ever secured in the Caribbean. It not only reflects the growing commercial value of West Indies cricket but also ensures that fans across the region will continue to enjoy comprehensive coverage of our international series and CG United Super50 Cups. ESPN is a longstanding partner, and this new deal will help CWI meet its long-term financial goals, while expanding the visibility and engagement of West Indies cricket within the region."

   Scott McGlone, Senior Director of Programming and Acquisitions at ESPN, expressed enthusiasm about the continued collaboration:

   "We are thrilled to continue our strong relationship with CWI with this groundbreaking new deal. ESPN seeks to serve local sports fans anytime, anywhere. What better way to accomplish this goal than a long-term partnership with CWI, that represents such a rich sporting history both locally and internationally."

   Under this agreement, CWI retains the right to license post-match highlights on free-to-air and digital platforms throughout the region, ensuring fans have access to additional content during each series and tournament. This partnership, brokered with the assistance of CWI’s media consultants, Pitch International, aligns with CWI’s strategic objectives to enhance the global visibility of West Indies cricket and deepen fan engagement across the Caribbean.

   

   

   

   

   

   

• Former Barbados all-rounder Kenroy Williams loses battle with cancer

  The local and regional cricketing fraternity was on Monday sent into mourning, when it was announced that former national captain Kenroy Da Costa Williams had died. Born in Harlington, St Philip, Williams passed away at the age of 40 after a brief battle with cancer. 

  The Barbadian cricket fraternity was sent into mourning on Monday at news of the passing away of former national captain Kenroy Williams at the age of 40 after a brief battle with cancer.

  The Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) was swift to share sympathies with the family and friends of the late Barbados and West Indies B batting all-rounder, who was also a member of the St Catherine Sports and Social Club in his home community of St Philip. He was an employee at the Ministry of Agriculture.

  For St Catherine, he was named Best All Rounder in the Sagicor Super Cup, during which he excelled with bat and ball. 

  An aggressive and powerful right-handed batsman and off-spin bowler, Williams, a graduate of the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic played 15 years at the regional level.

  He compiled 915 runs in 29 First Class matches, including four half-centuries and a career-best knock of 82. He also took 47 wickets in that format, with a best of 5-50. 

  In 19 List A fixtures, Williams amassed 240 runs and took seven wickets. He also played a solitary match for the Jamaica Scorpions in the 2019 regional T20 competition. He last played as a wicketkeeper for Charlotte Strikers in the Vincy Premier T10 League in 2020. 

  Among the career highlights for Williams would have been his Player of The Match award against the Windward Islands in the 2017-2018 West Indies Cricket Board Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Tournament. His 55 runs and seven wickets (3-21 and 4-36) helped hand the victory to Barbados. 

  The West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) also shared the sentiments of its members and leadership. 

  “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Kenroy Williams,” said Wavell Hinds, WIPA president and CEO.

  “Kenroy was an exemplary sportsman on and off the field, he fought a good fight. May his soul rest in peace and light perpetual shine upon him. To Kenroy’s family, friends, and the entire cricketing fraternity, please accept our deepest condolences.”

   

   

• Brandon King elated after match-winning century and stunning catch as West Indies clinch ODI series 2-1 against England

  West Indies opener Brandon King expressed his delight after scoring a match-winning 102 in the third and final One Day International (ODI) against England, helping his team secure an emphatic eight-wicket victory and seal the series 2-1. King’s third ODI century came at a pivotal time after a challenging run of low scores, with the batsman only managing 63, 5, 23, 14, 16, 16, 30, and 7 across matches stretching back to the series against Sri Lanka in early October.

  In Wednesday night’s clash at Kensington Oval in Barbados, Player of the Match King found his form alongside Kaecy Carty, who scored an unbeaten 128. The pair forged a record-breaking 209-run partnership, setting up the West Indies’ chase of England’s 263-8 and delivering a memorable series win for the home side.

  Reflecting on his return to form, King attributed his performance to sticking with his routine and mental approach despite the string of low scores.

  "After a fair number of starts, I’m fortunate this hundred came in such a crucial match," King said. "I kept to my processes, maintained the same intensity, and trusted in my ability. Kaecy played a fantastic innings, batting fluently, which really helped both of us build a strong platform."

  In addition to his innings with the bat, King made a notable impact in the field with a stunning relay catch to dismiss England’s Phil Salt, who had threatened with a score of 74. In the 34th over, Salt attempted to clear wide long-on but found King stationed deep. King leapt backward to grab the catch, managing to stay in balance near the boundary rope, and then backhanded the ball to Alzarri Joseph, who completed the dismissal.

  Speaking about the catch, King commented, "[On Salt’s dismissal] I had a bit of room, and luckily Alzarri was there to give me a bit of help. It was one of those moments where everything just clicked."

  With this hard-fought series win, led by King’s resurgence and Carty’s steady knock, the West Indies head into the upcoming five-match T20 series against England with momentum and renewed confidence.