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• “We have capable replacements”- Powell encourages bowlers to step up and be counted in Alzarri Joseph’s absence for first two England T20Is

  West Indies T20 captain Rovman Powell called the unavailability of pacer Alzarri Joseph a big loss on the eve of the first of five T20 Internationals against England at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

  Joseph was suspended by Cricket West Indies for two games after abruptly leaving the field during the series-deciding third ODI between the West Indies and England at the same venue on Wednesday which the hosts won by eight wickets to claim a 2-1 series win.

  “It’s a definite loss for us,” Powell said in a pre-match press conference on Friday.

  “He’s the spearhead of our attack and one of our more experienced bowlers but, having said that, we have capable replacements. When you look on the bench strength, I think guys that are waiting in the wings are good also. It’s an opportunity for somebody to step up and be counted,” he added.

  The West Indian T20 side are coming off a disappointing series loss to Sri Lanka and will be looking to bounce back against opponents they have become very familiar with over the years, especially on their home turf.

  “Every time England comes to the Caribbean it’s a big rivalry. England is one of the best teams in the world so it definitely brings out the best in us from a T20 perspective,” Powell said.

  “I think we’ve been playing some good T20 cricket so this series provides an opportunity for us to continue to do that,” he added.

  Another added thought in the mind of players in the format this time of year is the looming IPL player auction.

  With the amount of cricket played throughout the year, however, Powell doesn’t see how anyone’s performance in these five games will determine whether or not they are picked up during the auction on November 24 and 25.

  Instead, Powell wants his team to focus on the task at hand.

  “A lot of scouting has already been done. I don’t think five games would actually change the decisions of where IPL teams will go. It’s just for us from an individual standpoint to focus on what we can contribute to our team and leave the rest to whatever,” he said.

  With the ODI team just winning their series, Powell was asked about whether or not there is pressure for the T20 side to do the same.

  “There is always pressure, especially playing at home against such a good opponent,” he said.

  “Fortunately for us as a T20 team, we’ve been managing that pressure pretty well, so far,” he added.

  The first T20I bowls off tomorrow at 3:00pm JA time/4:00pm ECT.

• Olympic champion Julien Alfred wraps up UK tour with visits to Ladbroke Grove schools

  Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred concluded her tour of the United Kingdom on Thursday with visits to two schools in Ladbroke Grove, London, where she inspired students from the vibrant Saint Lucian community in the area. This wraps up a whirlwind week for Alfred, who has been actively promoting St. Lucia in her new role as the island’s Tourism Ambassador.

  Alfred’s day began at St. Mary’s Primary School, where students, aged 5 to 11, welcomed her with a special assembly and a hymn, creating a warm, uplifting start to the visit. Alfred gave an inspiring talk to the young audience, sharing her journey from her small Caribbean island to the Olympic podium, and then answered questions from eager students about her achievements and what it’s like to be an Olympian.

  

  The visit continued at All Saints Catholic College, a secondary school for students aged 11 to 17, where Alfred joined a Physical Education lesson, offering insights into the training and challenges that helped shape her career. Following a tour of the school, she participated in an assembly featuring the school’s steel pan band, answering students' questions on her historic gold-medal victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics and her excitement about her new ambassadorial role.

  Alfred was joined by acclaimed British Saint Lucian author Laura Henry-Allain, the Mayor of the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and His Excellency the High Commissioner for Saint Lucia, adding to the event's significance for the local community.

  

  Reflecting on her week-long UK tour, Alfred shared, “It’s been quite the week. On Saturday I met with other ambassadors from Asia and Africa with His Excellency the High Commissioner. On Sunday I met my people, St Lucians in the UK, on Monday I spoke to media about my new role and then it was World Travel Market. To see all the countries around the world being represented was quite something. It’s been an honour to use my platform to help promote my island.”

  

  Alfred’s ambassadorship follows her incredible success at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she became the 100m champion, making history for St. Lucia. Now, with her UK commitments complete, Alfred will return her focus to preparing for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, where she will aim to continue her stellar track record.

  Alfred’s UK tour has not only strengthened ties with the St Lucian community in the UK but also highlighted the island on a global stage, underscoring her dedication to her role as an ambassador both on and off the track.

• Hamilton hits 96*; Cornwall, Walsh Jr dominate as Hurricanes go top with 84-run win over Volcanoes

  Jahmar Hamilton, Rakheem Cornwall and Hayden Walsh Jr all played starring roles to lead the Leeward Islands Hurricanes to a comprehensive 84-run win over the Winward Islands Volcanoes in their CG United Super50 Cup game at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in St. Augustine on Friday.

  The Hurricanes, after winning the toss and batting first, recovered from being 68-6 after 23 overs to post 180 all out off 48.4 overs, a respectable total in the end.

  Hamilton, who came to the crease at 23-2 in the ninth over, carried his bat though the innings on the way to a career-best 96* off 128 balls including just five fours and two sixes.

  To put into context how crucial Hamilton’s knock was, Jewel Andrew was the next highest scorer for the Hurricanes with 17.

  Kavem Hodge starred with the ball for the Volcanoes with 4-26 from his 10 overs while Darel Cyrus was good in support with 2-33 from his 10 overs.

  It was then the turn of the Leewards spin twins to take over proceedings as captain Rakheem Cornwall and Hayden Walsh Jr combined to take all ten wickets as the Windwards were bundled out for 96 in just 21 overs.

  Cornwall led the way with 6-26 off nine overs while Walsh Jr took 4-20 off six overs as the Hurricanes moved to 38 points from five matches to sit at the top of the points table, one point ahead of the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force and six ahead of the Barbados Pride who were doing battle with the Combined Campuses and Colleges at the time of publishing.

  Alick Athanaze was the only Volcanoes batting to pass 30 with his 34.

  Full Scores:

  Leeward Islands Volcanoes 180 off 48.4 overs (Jahmar Hamilton 96*, Kavem Hodge 4-26, Darel Cyrus 2-33)

  Windward Islands Volcanoes 96 off 21 overs (Alick Athanaze 33, Rakheem Cornwall 6-26, Hayden Walsh Jr 4-20).