The Guyana Amazon Warriors have announced their squad for the inaugural ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL), set to take place from November 26 to December 7. Fresh off leading the Warriors to their first Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title in 2023, veteran South African spinner Imran Tahir will again captain the team. He’ll be joined by an impressive lineup of international stars and talented local players, eager to make an impact in this highly anticipated T20 tournament.

Supporting Tahir are several international names, including South African all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius and England’s seasoned all-rounder Moeen Ali, who bring both experience and versatility to the squad. The overseas contingent also includes left-arm spinner Hassan Khan, based in the USA, and Bangladesh’s seam bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib, who rounds out a solid mix of international expertise.

At the heart of the squad is a core of Guyanese talent that has become synonymous with the Amazon Warriors. Romario Shepherd, Shimron Hetmyer, and Keemo Paul, all well-known figures in West Indies cricket, will represent their home side, bringing both local pride and firepower to the team. Adding further strength, the Warriors welcome West Indies ODI captain Shai Hope and versatile all-rounder Roston Chase to their ranks, promising a balanced lineup for the GSL competition.

The Amazon Warriors will look to build on the momentum of their CPL success, backed by home support at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence. The GSL features five teams – the Warriors, Hampshire Hawks, Lahore Qalandars, Rangpur Riders, and Victoria – competing over 11 matches for a prize fund of USD 1 million. Fans can expect a thrilling display of T20 cricket, with the Warriors eager to make their mark on the global stage.

Phil Salt will be wicketkeeper in England’s upcoming T20I series against West Indies as white-ball captain Jos Buttler looks to improve his captaincy.

Buttler has been ruled out with a calf strain but will return to England's squad for the five-match T20I series that begins on Saturday.

Until now, Salt has kept in just 13 of his 59 England appearances across all formats but has taken up the mantle for the ongoing ODI series against West Indies.

Buttler, on the other hand, has donned the gloves in 106 of his 108 T20Is.

Salt, though, is enjoying his new role.

"It's not something I've done a lot for England recently, but I enjoy keeping. I feel like that's where I offer most to the side," Salt said, as reported by ESPN.

"We've not had a chat about anything going forward. I'm just glad to be doing it at the moment."

While Salt is not guaranteed the gloves after this series, he will find comfort in Buttler's intent to optimise his captaincy by experimenting with a role in the field.

"I was going to give up the gloves and commit to being at mid-off and see how that felt. If it will help me with my captaincy it is something I am open to," Buttler told Sky Sports in September after being ruled out of the T20 series against Australia.

England are tied 1-1 in their ODI series against the West Indies with the decider to be played on Wednesday.

Fast bowlers Gerald Coetzee and Marco Jansen have been included in the South Africa squad for their four-match home T20I series against India scheduled to begin on November 8. 

The duo will make their return after injury lay-offs, but Cricket South Africa have rested Kagiso Rabada along with Lungi Ngidi with a home Test series against Sri Lanka to follow later next month. 

Aiden Markram will captain the side against India, who beat the Proteas to win the T20 World Cup in Barbados earlier this year, while David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen and Keshav Maharaj are all included. 

All-rounder Mihlali Mpongwana has received his maiden call-up, while uncapped Andile Simelane is also part of the roster.

“It’s both an exciting and important series for us as we continue to build towards the T20 World Cup in 2026,” said South Africa white-ball coach Rob Walter.  

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.

The much-anticipated inaugural Global Super League (GSL) is set to take place in Guyana from November 26 to December 7, 2024, with five powerhouse teams from across the globe competing for a lucrative US$1 million prize. The tournament will be held at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence and promises to deliver exciting T20 cricket action.

The competing teams include representatives from the West Indies, Pakistan, Australia, England, and Bangladesh. Leading the local charge will be the Guyana Amazon Warriors, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise that is expected to bring a strong contingent of players to the competition. They will be joined by the Lahore Qalandars from Pakistan, Victoria from Australia, Hampshire Hawks from England, and Rangpur Riders from Bangladesh.

Each team will play a round-robin format, facing off against every other team, with the top two teams advancing to the final on December 7. The tournament will span 11 matches over the course of two weeks, with all games scheduled to be played under lights at the Providence stadium, providing prime-time entertainment for fans.

The action kicks off on Tuesday, November 26, when the home favorites, Guyana Amazon Warriors, take on Lahore Qalandars in the tournament’s opening fixture at 7 pm. The following day, Hampshire Hawks will face Rangpur Riders in what promises to be a thrilling contest between two strong cricketing nations.

On Friday, November 29, the Amazon Warriors will return to the field for a highly anticipated clash against Victoria, one of Australia’s premier teams, while Saturday, November 30, will feature a doubleheader with Hampshire Hawks going head-to-head with the Lahore Qalandars in the morning fixture.

The action continues into December, with Sunday, December 1, offering a thrilling day of cricket. In the morning, the Rangpur Riders will face Victoria, followed by a night game featuring the Guyana Amazon Warriors against Hampshire Hawks, a match that promises to draw huge interest from local and international fans alike.

The competition heats up on Tuesday, December 3, as Victoria takes on Lahore Qalandars, followed by a clash between Guyana Amazon Warriors and Rangpur Riders on Wednesday, December 4. The final round of group-stage fixtures will take place on Thursday, December 5, when the Lahore Qalandars square off against the Rangpur Riders, and Friday, December 6, when Hampshire Hawks meet Victoria.

The two teams with the highest points at the end of the group stage will battle it out in the final on Saturday, December 7, at 7 pm, with the winner walking away as the inaugural GSL champions and claiming the largest share of the US$1 million prize fund.

With top-tier talent from across the globe, including players from the Caribbean, Australia, England, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, the Global Super League promises to be one of the most exciting new T20 competitions in the cricketing calendar. The tournament will not only showcase international cricketing stars but also provide a platform for emerging talent to shine on the global stage.

New Zealand won their maiden Women's T20 World Cup title, seeing off South Africa with a 32-run victory in the final on Sunday.

They came into the tournament as underdogs on the back of a torrid losing streak, but held strong for a comprehensive win to claim a surprise crown.

Suzie Bates got New Zealand off to a strong start with her knock of 32, but it was Amelia Kerr's vital contribution of 43 that spurred them through the innings, despite a slight lull in the middle stages.

Brooke Halliday (38), who had a 57-run partnership with Kerr, ensured the White Ferns finished solidly against a wasteful South Africa bowling performance, as they racked up 158-5.

However, Kerr shone again in the field, finishing with 3-24, while Rosemary Mair also took 3-25 in an impressive display.

The Proteas dominated in the powerplay, as Laura Wolvaardt (33) and Jasmin Brits (17) combined for 51 on the first wicket, but they started to stumble shortly after Kerr ended the former's stand.

Only Chloe Tryon (14) and Annerie Dercksen (10) hit double figures after the top order, and the wickets toppled as New Zealand claimed an emotional victory.

Data Debrief: Taking the crown

New Zealand were on a 10-match losing streak coming into the World Cup, but have lost just once during the tournament - a blip against Australia in their second match.

History was also not on their side in T20 World Cup finals, with the team losing successive show-piece games in 2009 and 2010.

However, they put in an admirable performance on Sunday, with Kerr's three wickets at the Dubai International Stadium seeing her finish as the tournament's leading wicket taker.

It was yet more heartbreak for South Africa, though, as they lost their second consecutive final, with the country's wait for a global cricket title continuing. 

New Zealand claimed a dramatic eight-run victory over West Indies to reach their first Women's T20 World Cup final since 2010, with Eden Carson starring with the ball.

The Black Caps will face South Africa in Sunday's showpiece match, with a first-time champion guaranteed after New Zealand held firm in a tense finale in Sharjah.

New Zealand were limited to 128-9 with the bat as Deandra Dottin finished with fine figures of 4-22, including the crucial wickets of opener Amelia Kerr (7) and Brooke Halliday (18) – the latter with a zipping delivery that crashed into off stump.

The Windies took up the bat in confident mood after two final-over wickets further dented New Zealand's hopes, but Carson turned the momentum by removing both of their openers within five overs.

Having hit middle stump to send West Indies' group-stage star Qiana Joseph walking for 12, Carson had Shemaine Campbelle (3) caught by Suzie Bates to drop them to 20-2.

Carson had her treble soon afterwards as Stafanie Taylor was dismissed for 13 runs, and the Windies failed to recover any momentum from there, only reaching 48 runs by the midpoint of their innings.

Dottin (33 off 22) and Afy Fletcher (17 not out) both attempted to spur the 2016 champions into life, but some efficient New Zealand bowling kept them at bay, Bates only conceding six runs from the all-important final over to get them over the line.

Data Debrief: Long wait over for Black Caps

New Zealand's victory ended their 14-year wait for a final appearance at the Women's T20 World Cup, showing impressive calm to hold off a team that blew England away in the group stage on Tuesday. 

Carson chose the ideal time to produce just her second three-wicket haul in T20Is, finishing 3-29 having previously posted figures of 3-18 versus Bangladesh in 2023. 

Her eight wickets at this tournament have only been bettered by four players, with team-mate Melie Kerr (12) and South Africa's Nonkululeko Mlaba (10) the only two to remain active in the competition.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav praised a 'selfless' Sanju Samson after his maiden T20I century helped the hosts defeat Bangladesh by 133 runs and win the series 3-0 on Saturday.

Samson's 111-run knock, which came off just 47 balls, helped India storm to 297-6 after batting first, before they restricted the tourists to 164-7 in the third match of the series in Hyderabad. 

The 29-year-old reached his century in just 40 balls to become the second fastest among India's batters to bring up a T20I ton after Rohit Sharma's 35-ball century against Sri Lanka in 2017.

"I think we've achieved a lot as a team. I had said we wanted to have selfless cricketers and want to be a selfless team and enjoy each other's performances. That camaraderie is coming off," Yadav said after the game. 
 
"Gautam Gambhir said the same thing before the series that no one is bigger than the team, no matter if you are on 49 or 99, you have to hit the ball out of the field. That's what Sanju [Samson] did today."

Samson, who hit 11 fours and eight sixes, also became the seventh India opener to score a ton and his strike rate of 236.2 was second only to Sharma among Indians when scoring a T20I ton.

He was ably supported by Yadav, who reached 75 from 35 balls before Ravi Bishnoi picked up three wickets and Mayank Yadav took two to keep Bangladesh at bay. 

A memorable evening

Sanju Samson smashed the second fastest T20I century for #TeamIndia , off just 40 deliveries

Live - https://t.co/ldfcwtHGSC #INDvBAN | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/UC7Iy1j6yY

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 12, 2024  
"We have to be flexible when it comes to batting and bowling. Bowlers have to chip in. Batters have to be flexible, and their performances were commendable," the captain added.
 
India also posted commanding wins against their opponents in the first two matches on their way to winning their 16th consecutive T20I series at home, where they are unbeaten since 2019. 

As for Bangladesh, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto indicated it will be a case of going back to the drawing board. 

"We didn't play our best cricket. We didn't execute our plans as a batting unit. For a couple of overs, we bowled well in some matches, but today we didn't bowl well," Shanto said. 
 
"We need to believe in ourselves that we can compete against any team. We need to change our home wickets and players need to take responsibility.
 
"The way [Towhid] Hridoy batted today was impressive. I liked that the seamers were trying to execute their plans. Our top order needs to improve though."

India will next be in action against New Zealand as the sides play the first of three Tests in Bengaluru from Wednesday. 

St Lucia Kings captain Faf du Plessis expressed his delight after leading his team to their maiden Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title on Sunday night, overcoming the defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors in a thrilling final. Chasing a target of 139, the Kings were in a precarious position at 51-4, but a crucial 88-run partnership between Aaron Jones and Roston Chase guided the Darren Sammy-coached franchise to a memorable six-wicket victory at the Providence Stadium.

The Kings’ captain, visibly elated after securing the long-awaited title, emphasized the significance of the win for the franchise. “This franchise has been looking to get that trophy for a long time. Against this opposition, in front of a big crowd—there's no bigger place to play a final,” du Plessis said, acknowledging the challenging nature of the contest. “I would have liked it a bit easier, to be honest!”

Du Plessis praised the Kings’ bowling unit for their disciplined performance, which restricted the Warriors to 138-8. He highlighted the importance of a positive mindset when chasing what was initially thought to be a competitive total. “I was very happy with the bowling. It was a decent decision [at the toss]. We were very positive to get that score. In our minds, we wanted to play very positively.”

 The match turned dramatically in the 16th over of the Kings' chase, when Aaron Jones unleashed a ferocious onslaught, smashing 27 runs off Moeen Ali’s over to swing the momentum in his team's favor. Jones, who had been under pressure early in his innings, finished unbeaten on 48 off 31 balls, while Chase played a vital supporting role with 39 from 22 deliveries. Du Plessis lauded the composure shown by both batters under pressure.

 “For Jones and Chase to absorb the pressure was incredible,” du Plessis said. “If you look throughout the competition, there are no superstars here. Just two or three overs made a really big difference. The ball starts to get wet, and that changed things for us.”

 Guyana Amazon Warriors captain Imran Tahir reflected on his team’s defeat, admitting that their struggles with the bat cost them the chance to defend their title. “We didn't start well with the bat. We knew dew was going to come... Tough luck today. I also want to congratulate St Lucia Kings,” Tahir said. “If we batted better, we could have had 170 or 180. That is a good score on this pitch, especially with the spinners we have. Just one over took it away.”

 Tahir praised Romario Shepherd for his late innings contributions with the bat, but rued the missed opportunities by the middle order. “We were putting pressure on them. It could be one more dismissal, and you never know,” he added.

 Meanwhile, Noor Ahmad was named Player of the Tournament after his impressive performances throughout the season, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker with 22 scalps. Reflecting on the Kings' victory, Ahmad said, “It's quite a special day for us, and for St Lucia. Everyone tried to give their best. We had good planning, and that's what gave us success.”

 Roston Chase, who was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance, expressed his joy at finally winning a CPL title after losing two previous finals. “It's a great feeling. I made two finals and lost... I told Aaron [Jones] that we needed a big over, and luckily we got it,” Chase said, highlighting the pivotal moment in the match when the Kings took control of the game.

 The victory marks a historic moment for the St Lucia Kings, who finally lifted their first CPL trophy after years of close calls. The team, led by du Plessis and guided by head coach Daren Sammy, showcased resilience and skill, etching their name into CPL history in front of a packed Providence crowd.

Guyana is set to make history this year with the launch of the inaugural Global Cricket League, a premier T20 tournament scheduled from November 26 to December 7, 2024. The event, which will take place annually, will feature five established T20 teams from five different countries, including the home team, the Guyana Amazon Warriors, competing for a significant prize fund of USD $1 million. This tournament marks South America’s first standalone cricket event and is expected to become a major fixture in the global cricket calendar.

Sanctioned by Cricket West Indies and fully supported by the Government of Guyana, the Global Cricket League aims to attract top cricket talent and fans from around the world. The tournament will be held at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence, featuring 11 matches in a mini-league format. Each team will play four matches, with the top two advancing to the final, promising intense competition throughout.

His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, expressed his enthusiasm for the event and its significance for the nation.

"The Global Super League has the full support of the Government of Guyana as we build a world-class sports tourism product. Cricket is part of our cultural history; it is that unifying force, part of our heritage, and an integral part of our strategic objective in economic diversification with a strong emphasis on tourism. As Guyana positions itself as a global shaper in energy, food, and climate landscape, we will use this platform to bring a world-class tournament to our shores," President Ali said.

The Global Cricket League not only represents an exciting opportunity to showcase Guyana's passion for cricket but also aligns with the government’s broader goals of enhancing tourism and economic diversification. By hosting this annual tournament, Guyana is positioning itself as a premier sports tourism destination, bringing international cricket stars and fans to the country year after year.

Chairman of the Global Super League, Sir Clive Lloyd, praised the initiative, acknowledging its potential to captivate cricket fans worldwide.

"I would like to welcome cricket fans from around the world to this exciting new event. The passion for cricket in Guyana rivals that of fans anywhere, and we look forward to celebrating our love of the game and our rich and vibrant country with those both visiting in person and watching from around the world. I would like to thank His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali for his vision of a new cricket event for Guyana, one that will captivate the world," Lloyd said.

Each year, the tournament will invite different international teams, further elevating Guyana’s reputation in the global cricketing community. With the 2024 edition promising to bring together top talent and competitive matches, local fans and international viewers alike can expect a thrilling start to this historic event.

The St Lucia Kings claimed their first-ever Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title in emphatic fashion on Sunday night, defeating the defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors by six wickets in a thrilling final at Providence Stadium. Aaron Jones and Roston Chase led a remarkable recovery after a shaky start to secure the Kings' maiden title, with Jones delivering a match-winning performance under intense pressure.

Chasing a modest target of 139 on a slow, two-paced surface, the Kings appeared in trouble at 51 for 4, with the Warriors’ spinners dominating proceedings. The Guyana crowd had reached a fever pitch as the Kings struggled to score, going nine overs without a boundary. Roston Chase, battling illness, and Aaron Jones, who was on the verge of being retired out by captain Daren Sammy, faced a relentless attack from Guyana’s four-pronged spin bowling unit, led by Noor Ahmad.

However, the match swung dramatically in the 16th over when Jones, who had crawled to 10 off 19 balls, unleashed a furious assault on Moeen Ali, smashing 27 runs off the over with a series of sixes and fours. His explosive batting ignited the Kings’ chase, turning the tide of the game in their favor. Jones, who finished unbeaten on 48 from 31 balls, shared an unbroken 88-run partnership with Chase, who played a measured innings of 39 off 22 balls, guiding the Kings to victory with 11 balls to spare.

The Kings had been rattled early in their chase when Romario Shepherd removed Johnson Charles for seven. Faf du Plessis, Ackeem Auguste, and Tim Seifert soon followed, leaving the Kings teetering at 51 for 4, with the required run rate climbing. However, Jones and Chase stayed calm, absorbing the pressure before unleashing their onslaught. Jones smashed Dwaine Pretorius for 20 runs in the 17th over, leaving the Kings needing just one run from the final two overs. Imran Tahir’s wide down the leg side sealed the Warriors' fate, handing the Kings a memorable victory.

Reflecting on the win, Chase, who has been with the Kings for five seasons, said: “It means a lot. I’ve been in two finals before, and I made up my mind this morning that I wasn’t going to lose this one.” Meanwhile, Jones, who delivered when it mattered most, added, “We knew playing in the final would be a challenge, but we came out on top. I think of myself as a match-winner.”

Earlier, the Warriors struggled to build momentum after being asked to bat first. They could only muster 27 runs in the powerplay, losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck in the opening over. The St Lucia Kings’ bowlers applied consistent pressure, with Khary Pierre delivering a superb spell of 2-0-6-1 during the powerplay. Alzarri Joseph also tied down the batters with wide lines, while Noor Ahmad (4-0-19-3) was the standout, taking the key wickets of Moeen Ali (14) and Shimron Hetmyer (11), both falling to mistimed shots. Chase also chipped in with the wicket of Shai Hope (22) as the Warriors stumbled to 102 for 7 after 18 overs.

Despite a late surge from Romario Shepherd (18) and Dwaine Pretorius (21), who added 36 runs in the final two overs to push the Warriors to 138-8, the total proved insufficient. Noor Ahmad’s 22 wickets this season placed him just behind CPL legend Dwayne Bravo’s record of most wickets in a single CPL season.

The Kings’ victory marks a significant moment in their CPL journey, as they lifted their first title in franchise history. The triumph was a testament to their resilience and belief, with Aaron Jones’ match-winning innings set to be remembered as one of the most remarkable moments of the 2024 CPL season.

The West Indies Women delivered a clinical performance to claim an emphatic six-wicket victory over Scotland in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on Sunday, bouncing back from their humiliating 10-wicket loss to South Africa in the opening match. The West Indies, led by Afy Fletcher’s impressive bowling, restricted Scotland to a modest total of 99-8 from their 20 overs, setting the stage for a confident chase.

Fletcher was the standout bowler, taking 3-22 as she helped stifle Scotland’s batting efforts. Hayley Matthews, Karishma Ramharack, and Chinelle Henry also chipped in with a wicket apiece, putting Scotland under immense pressure. Ailsa Lister (26) and captain Kathryn Bryce (25) provided some resistance, contributing to a crucial third-wicket stand of 46 after Scotland had stumbled to 13-2 in the third over. However, once Fletcher broke their partnership, the rest of the Scottish lineup crumbled, with only Lorna Jack-Brown (11) and Darcey Carter (14 not out) offering any additional resistance.

Scotland’s total of 99-8 seemed unlikely to trouble the West Indies, but they suffered an early setback in their chase. Star batters Hayley Matthews (8) and Stafanie Taylor (4) were both dismissed cheaply, raising concerns of a potential collapse. However, Qiana Joseph quickly turned the tide with a blistering knock of 31 from 18 balls, while Deandra Dottin’s unbeaten 28 from 15 balls and Chinelle Henry’s quickfire 18 from 10 ensured a comfortable victory for the Caribbean side. The West Indies reached their target in just 11.4 overs, with 50 balls to spare.

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews expressed satisfaction with her team’s turnaround performance. "100 percent, we were able to go out as a group and restrict them to 99. Qiana Joseph was positive and Dottin finished it off. We did pretty well with the ball, limited the boundary balls, and got ourselves in a secure position. We also had to think about the net run rate, and we executed that well," said Matthews. "Next, we have Bangladesh, and if we win that and then against England, we’ll be in the semifinals."

Player of the Match Chinelle Henry also shared her thoughts on the team’s effort. "I first thank my teammates and coach. Our goal was to give the team a good start and improve our net run rate. We figured the wicket was slow, and batting was difficult, but we had a clear plan, we backed our skills, and we executed."

With this victory, the West Indies Women have reignited their World Cup campaign and will look to carry the momentum forward in their upcoming matches against Bangladesh and England.

St. Lucia Kings opener Johnson Charles attributed his match-winning performance against the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Wednesday night in the 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) to maintaining a positive mindset. Charles, who has been in stellar form throughout the season, top-scored with a blazing 79 from 45 balls, which included eight fours and five sixes. His efforts helped the Kings post a formidable total of 198-5, ultimately securing a 15-run victory via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method.

Reflecting on his performance, Charles emphasized the importance of staying positive, especially when facing challenges from bowlers. “It's all about being positive, having that positive intent. I have been dismissed the most by left-arm spinners, but still, you’ve got to be positive and find ways to score. I am all about that positive intent and getting my team off to a great start,” Charles said.

This season has been Charles’ most successful CPL campaign yet, with the St. Lucian star amassing 445 runs—a career-best. His explosive innings against the Warriors, which featured a commanding opening partnership of 124 runs with skipper Faf du Plessis, was crucial in putting the Kings in a winning position. Charles credited the synergy between him and du Plessis for their success at the top of the order.

“We feed off each other’s energy. We have different styles of play; that gives us a very good understanding, and it also plays with the bowlers' minds,” Charles explained, highlighting how their contrasting approaches have unsettled opposition bowlers.

Charles’ performance not only demonstrated his improved shot-making, but also his adaptability. He acknowledged that the evolution of the game requires constant innovation, both mentally and technically. “The game is evolving, and you’ve got to keep up the pace. Seeing that bowlers are always studying you and always trying to keep you bogged down, it’s all about staying up with the pace. I have been practicing different ways of scoring, whether it’s the switch hit or paddle sweep off the pacers, and it’s going good for me,” he said.

With the Kings now on the cusp of a first CPL title, Charles believes that 2024 could finally be their year to lift the CPL trophy. “This means a lot; for so many years we have been trying. I believe this year is our year. I think we have a very good chance, and it’s our year to win this,” he concluded.

As Charles continues to shine with the bat, his form and positive mindset will be critical as the Kings push for their first-ever CPL title.

The 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has released a detailed statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding the Eliminator match between the Trinbago Knight Riders and the Barbados Royals, following widespread concerns that the rules may have been breached during the game. A power outage during the match, played at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence, led to questions regarding the timing and conditions under which the game resumed, with many pointing to a possible violation of CPL rules.

The controversy centers on a significant delay caused by the loss of power to three floodlight towers at 20:58, after 19.1 overs of the Knight Riders' innings had been completed. Two of the towers were restored within 30 minutes, but match umpires Deighton Butler and Nigel Duguid deemed the lighting conditions unsafe for play to continue.

Despite this, both teams were given the option to resume play under the reduced lighting. While the Barbados Royals were willing to continue, the Trinbago Knight Riders opted not to proceed due to safety concerns, a decision supported by the match officials.

Initially, a cut-off time of 22:52 was communicated for the start of the second innings, with the requirement that at least five overs must be bowled for the match to constitute an official result. However, this deadline was later revised to 23:01 to accommodate the interval between innings, which had not been factored into the original cut-off time.

At 22:51, power was fully restored to the third floodlight tower, and following an additional allowance for the lights to reach maximum brightness, match officials decided to resume the game at 23:01. This led to a five-over chase for the Barbados Royals, who were set a target of 60 runs based on the ICC-approved Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, which is the universally accepted approach for calculating revised targets in rain or other interruptions.

The target, considered by some to be particularly high, sparked further debate, especially given that the Royals were allowed two powerplay overs with fielding restrictions, which many argued gave them an unfair advantage.

CWI Senior Match Referee Reon King, who was overseeing the match, addressed the concerns, stating: “The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League playing conditions allow for one hour of extra time to be added to a game before overs are lost, and a failure of floodlights is treated in exactly the same way as an interruption for rain. The priority for the match officials team is always for the safety of players, but they also work to try and see if the outcome of a game, one way or another, can be achieved on the field of play. This was the focus applied during the Eliminator match.”

Despite these clarifications, questions remain regarding the decision to extend the cut-off time and the overall fairness of the playing conditions, particularly with such a high run-rate requirement for the five overs. Some have pointed to CPL T20 rules that state that the match should not have resumed after the one-hour interruption mark, which would have been 10:52 pm, yet the game was restarted at 11:01 pm.

The Barbados Royals went on to chase the target, raising further concerns among fans and pundits that the rules were stretched to ensure a result, casting a shadow over the conclusion of the match.

While the CPL has emphasized that all protocols were followed, the incident has raised critical discussions about transparency and fairness in managing extraordinary match situations. As the league continues to grow in popularity, the CPL's handling of such incidents will likely remain under scrutiny from the teams and fans alike.

Jos Buttler will return to captain England for the white-ball tour of West Indies, while Yorkshire leg-spinner Jafer Chohan has earned his first international call-up.

Buttler missed the recent one-day international and T20 series against Australia due to a calf injury, with Harry Brook and Phil Salt leading the respective sides in his absence.

Meanwhile, Chohan is one of three uncapped players in the squad, which will remain the same for both series, along with Hampshire fast bowler John Turner and Warwickshire all-rounder Dan Mousley.

The 22-year-old has taken 17 wickets in 10 T20 Blast matches for Yorkshire in 2024, and is the first South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) graduate to be named in an England squad.

"It feels like an absolute dream to be selected. It's what I've worked for my whole life," Chohan told Yorkshire CCC.

"For me, this is a really good opportunity to be around some of the best players in the world, learn as much as I can, and just really sharpen up my game as much as possible."

The three-game ODI series begins in Antigua on October 31, while the five-game T20 series commences in Barbados on November 9.

Full squad: Jos Buttler (captain), Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Jafer Chohan, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Saqib Mahmood, Dan Mousley, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, John Turner.