Guyanese spinner Gudakesh Motie has been named as part of the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad for the inaugural ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL), scheduled to run from November 26 to December 7, 2024. Motie, a consistent performer for the Warriors since his debut in 2021, will bring his experience and skill to a formidable squad as they compete for a US$1 million prize fund.
Motie’s contributions have been integral to the Amazon Warriors’ success over the years. In the recently concluded 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL), he emerged as the team’s leading wicket-taker, claiming 17 wickets at an impressive average of 18.64. His consistency helped propel the Warriors to the CPL final, continuing his strong form from the previous year when they clinched the championship in 2023.
The 29-year-old spinner joins a talented roster of Guyanese players, including Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, and Keemo Paul, as the Amazon Warriors prepare to face off against international teams Hampshire Hawks, Lahore Qalandars, Rangpur Riders, and Victoria.
The Global Super League marks a significant development in international T20 cricket, with the tournament drawing teams from around the world to Guyana’s National Stadium at Providence. Over 11 matches, the participating teams will battle for the title and a share of the lucrative prize pool.
As a local star with international pedigree, Motie’s inclusion strengthens the Amazon Warriors’ chances in this inaugural competition. The spinner is known for his ability to control the game in the middle overs, a skill that will be crucial against top-tier opposition in the GSL.
Motie, along with the rest of the Amazon Warriors squad, will aim to leverage home advantage as they seek to make history in this first-of-its-kind tournament. The Global Super League promises to showcase the best of T20 cricket while providing a platform for local talent to shine on the international stage.
Fans of the Amazon Warriors and cricket enthusiasts across Guyana are eagerly awaiting the action-packed tournament, which is expected to further elevate the region’s reputation as a hub for world-class cricket.
West Indies opened their three-match series against England with a powerful statement on Thursday, clinching an emphatic eight-wicket victory by the DLS method at North Sound in Antigua.
Led by a steady 118-run opening partnership between Evin Lewis and Brandon King, the Caribbean side got to their revised target of 157 with 55 balls to spare and secured a 1-0 advantage in the series.
Lewis had eight sixes and five fours in a blistering 94 off 69 balls, while King was more patient with 30 off 56, including three fours, as their partnership laid the platform for the successful chase after England, fielding four debutants, were bowled out for 209.
Scores: West Indies 157-2 (25.5 overs) (Lewis 94) beat England 209 (45.1 overs) (Livingstone 48, Motie 4-41) by eight wickets (DLS)
After being asked to take first strike, England found themselves struggling to build momentum as they lost openers Phil Salt (18) and Will Jacks (19) to seamer Jayden Seales. Matthew Forde then accounted for Jordan Cox (17) and Jacob Bethell (27) to leave the visitors at 93-4.
However, captain Liam Livingstone with a steady 48 from 49 balls and Sam Curran (37) breathed new life into the innings with a 72-run fifth-wicket stand that placed England back on course for a competitive total. Livingstone struck three fours and two sixes, but just when they started to gather momentum, he became the first of Gudakesh Motie’s four victims, offering an easy chance back to the Guyanese.
In fact, the left-arm spinner removed Dan Mousley (8), Jamie Overton (zero), and Curran in that order in quick succession before Alzarri Joseph got in on the act to collar Adil Rashid (15) and Jofra Archer (7) as they tried to move things along at the backend, but the damage was already done.
Motie, who used his spin to excellent effect, was once again the standout for the West Indies with figures of 4-41 from his full quota of 10 overs. Joseph (2-46), Jayden Seales (2-22), and Matthew Forde (2-48) offered support.
In response, the West Indies started their innings with confidence and aggression. Lewis, who was in formidable form from the last encounter of their Sri Lanka tour, peppered the boundary with a mix of crisp drives and powerful hits, while his opening partner, King, provided steady support, even as Jofra Archer and John Turner repeatedly harassed his outside edge.
The rain interruption did very little to slow the West Indies chase, though England did eventually find the breakthrough when King holed out to Will Jacks off Livingstone’s spin.
Still, Lewis pushed on and seemed well set to carry his bat through the innings before a rush of blood to get to the century saw him succumb to a long-hop from Adil Rashid that came off the toe end of the bat, and Jacob Bethell took an easy catch on the boundary.
Despite that, the chase was well and truly over, and captain Shai Hope and Keacy Carty, on 19, then took the West Indies over the finish line, finishing unbeaten on six and 19, respectively, to seal an easy victory. The comprehensive win showcased the Caribbean side’s intent and confidence, especially after a fairly dismal outing away to Sri Lanka, but it is left to be seen how they will fair for the remainder of the series with the second game scheduled for Saturday at the same venue.
Liam Livingstone said England must quickly "get up to speed" and find their rhythm in the 50-over game after a humbling defeat to West Indies.
Evin Lewis plundered a brilliant 94 off just 69 balls as the Windies won by eight wickets by the Duckworth-Lewis Stern method in the opening, rain-affected ODI in Antigua on Thursday.
England had been bowled out for just 209, with stand-in captain Livingstone top-scoring with 48.
The tourists fielded an inexperienced line-up, but Livingstone knows there is no time to waste when it comes to learning on the job.
He said: "I think the test we have to come over the next few games is with the rhythms of 50-over cricket.
"We have to get up to speed as quickly as possible. We know someone in the top six has to get a big score.
"Fifty overs is a long time. We wanted to put the West Indies under pressure.
"Conditions change and it's up to us to read them and work out what is a good score. We didn't adapt. West Indies bowled well and we lost wickets at key stages."
Sam Curran (37) was the only other batter to make a dent for England, and Alastair Cook, who was only surpassed as the nation's all-time leading Test run scorer last month, was not impressed.
Speaking in his role as a pundit for TNT Sports, Cook said: "England's batting in general in all three formats on belting wickets – absolutely brilliant, you can't stop them scoring.
"[But] when it becomes tougher, when it becomes about adapting, I'm not sure, at the minute, this group of players are good enough.
"Take Joe Root out of it, he's a class above anyone else when it comes to adjusting to situations. Everyone else has to find a way of being able to adapt better."
West Indies have now won five of their last eight ODIs against England (L3).
England had won 17 of the previous 18 fixtures prior to that span.
Lewis' phenomenal showing with the bat, which included hitting eight sixes, was key to West Indies' victory, with Adil Rashid eventually ending the opener's stand, but it was too little, too late for England.
"Evin Lewis is experienced and has been around for a long time," said Windies captain Shai Hope.
"You can see he is a different beast. He's hungry. I'm glad about the scores he's getting now."
Gudakesh Motie, however, scooped the Player of the Match award after taking 4-41.
"I wasn't getting much turn out of the wicket so I was just trying to keep it on a straight line and keep my lengths," he said.
"Runs weren't coming at both ends easily, which helped me a lot to take four wickets.
"I figured out bowling fast in these conditions was easier [to play] so I was trying to bowl as slow as possible."
Jofra Archer (0-21) bowled well without reward. He is four wickets away from becoming the 30th player to take 50 wickets for England in men's ODIs.
With the disappointment of back-to-back losses hanging heavy in the air, the West Indies will enter Saturday’s final One Day International (ODI) against Sri Lanka, hoping to avoid a 3-0 sweep at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
In fact, West Indies captain Shai Hope was not shy to admit that this last contest in the three-match series is about more than just pride, it is about learning from mistakes and building resilience for the future.
The West Indies struggled with both bat and ball in the first two encounters, which they lost by five wickets. Hope acknowledges that those matches have exposed key areas that his side must improve upon, particularly their handling of spin and situational awareness under pressure.
“There are several factors we can point out, but I just think not adapting to the conditions fast enough was our main problem. Obviously, we didn't win the crucial stages of the game, and obviously, the spin department has been the only thing we have going right now for us. But yeah, the thing is, there are a lot of lessons that we need to take from the series. We can't change the past right now; we have to learn from it, and it's very important we do so quickly,” Hope said in a pre-game interview.
Hope emphasized that players need to improve individually and as a whole to support one another and create a solid, cohesive unit. He noted that achieving that level of synergy would take time but remained optimistic about the direction the team is headed.
“We have to keep trying. We have to keep finding ways to get better. I think it's more mental than anything at this point in time because skill work is skill work, yes, but we have to make sure we find ways to adapt as quickly as we can. One day of practice is not going to make us into the greatest batter or the greatest bowler ever. So there's more mental prep that we need to do right now at this stage and plan well,” Hope argued.
With the series outcome already decided, Saturday’s match will serve as a final test of character for the West Indies team, with fans and players alike hoping for a redeeming performance. However, to achieve that feat, the top order of the batting lineup will need to counter Sri Lanka's challenging spin attack, while the bowling unit will also have to be on point.
“Yeah, for sure, it has not been good enough. We asked the openers and the top-order batters to set the platform for the guys in the middle, and it's clear to see we didn't do that in this series, and we had to depend a lot on the lower order, which they played really well, in my opinion. But if we get those good starts or if we get that good start in this last game here, I think it would be a whole change to the context of the game,” Hope noted.
That said, the skipper singled out middle-order batsman Sherfane Rutherford, who scored 74 and 80 in the first two games, including sharing in an historic 119-run nine-wicket partnership with Gudakesh Motie in the second contest.
“He's been playing really well. He's been putting a lot of work off the field, and a lot of people won't see that, but the way he's progressed and matured for his career so far, I think, is tremendous. I think there's a lot that he can take from these few performances that he's had so far,” Hope said.
“He's shown that he's capable of batting and adapting to those conditions that we speak about in the team room. But, yeah, I think he's got a lot more to offer, and it's great to see he's getting those big scores now and all that hard work he's putting in is coming to fruition,” he ended.
West Indies suffered a series-defining loss in the second One-day International (ODI) against Sri Lanka, as they again went down by five wickets in Pallekele on Wednesday.
The defeat, which resulted from another disappointing batting performance, saw Sri Lanka taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, leaving the Caribbean side with mere hopes of salvaging pride in the final game on Saturday.
After a dismal batting collapse that saw the West Indies at a shocking 58-8 in the rain-affected contest, which was reduced to 44 overs per team, it was an historic ninth-wicket partnership between Sherfane Rutherford (80) and Gudakesh Motie (50 not out) that added a glimmer of respectability to their total.
The pair put together 119 runs, the highest-ever ninth-wicket stand in West Indies' ODI history, with Rutherford smashing four sixes and seven fours in his 82-ball knock, while Motie’s maiden ODI half-century came off 61 balls and included six boundaries, as they lifted the side to 189.
However, the damage had already been done by Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling attack led by spinners Wanindu Hasaranga (4-40) and Maheesh Theekshana (3-25). Seamer Asitha Fernando had 3-35. Their batting unit led by an unbeaten 62 from captain Charith Asalanka then surpassed their target with some degree of comfort.
Scores: West Indies 189 (36 overs); Sri Lanka 190-5 (38.2 overs)
After being asked to take first strike, the West Indies’ top and middle order, with the exception of Rutherford, again failed miserably, as they crumbled under the pressure of Sri Lanka’s spin-heavy assault. In fact, besides Rutherford and Motie, opener Brandon King (16) was the only other batsman in double figures, which tells the tale of the alarming regularity in which the wickets fell.
By the 16th over, the Caribbean side had lost eight wickets for just 58 runs, with no batsman managing to stabilize the innings. However, in what seemed like a foregone conclusion, Rutherford and Motie showed resilience and defiance and gave the team a fighting chance, but their efforts were ultimately too little, too late.
West Indies bowlers initially showed some promise, as vice captain Alzarri Joseph (2-30) and Motie (1-18) picked up early wickets, but Sri Lanka's steady chase, led by Asalanka, ensured there would be no upset.
Asalanka, who struck seven fours and a solitary six in his 61-ball knock, anchored the innings with the assistance of Sadeera Samarawickrama (38) and Janith Liyanage (24), after Nishan Madushka (38) earlier got things going.
West Indies captain Shai Hope expressed disappointment with the team’s performance, particularly with the batting, as they are now left to play for pride in the third and final ODI.
“I really don't like to focus on things we can't control. Today it was disappointing. We just need to get through the powerplay and negate the spin threat. We needed to limit the dot balls so hopefully we can play better in the last game. We are not putting enough revs on the ball, bowling quickly as well, and so we need to take lessons from Sri Lanka’s spinners,” Hope said in a post-game interview.
“We didn’t put enough runs on the board, and that’s been the story for us in this series. We’ve got to do better in the third game.”
Sri Lanka defeated the West Indies by five wickets via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in the first ODI at Pallekele on Sunday, marking their third consecutive victory after winning the last two T20 Internationals to clinch the series 2-1.
Chasing a DLS-adjusted target of 232 in 37 overs, Sri Lanka’s pursuit was powered by a crucial 137-run partnership between Nishan Madushka and Charith Asalanka. The pair's half-centuries laid the foundation for Sri Lanka’s victory, which came with 31 balls to spare. Their century stand came in just 88 balls, as they took full advantage of the wayward West Indies bowling.
Madushka and Asalanka were ruthless in their approach, capitalizing on poor deliveries, with only Gudakesh Motie providing any resistance. Motie was the pick of the West Indies bowlers with 3-47, while Alzarri Joseph chipped in with 2-39. However, their efforts were not enough to stifle Sri Lanka’s charge, as they raced to 200 in just 27.3 overs, making victory inevitable.
After Asalanka’s departure, Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis put on an unbroken 47-run partnership to secure the win. Liyanage remained unbeaten on 18, while Mendis finished on 30 not out.
Earlier in the day, the West Indies had been frustrated by rain, which halted their innings at 185 for 4 after 38.3 overs. Sherfane Rutherford had mounted a counter-attack, scoring an unbeaten 74, while Roston Chase contributed 33 not out in an 85-run fifth-wicket stand. Their partnership came off 78 deliveries and provided a much-needed boost after Sri Lanka’s spinners had dominated the early proceedings.
Wanindu Hasaranga was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka, taking 2-18, while Jeffrey Vandersay and Charith Asalanka claimed a wicket apiece. Despite the interruption caused by rain, Sri Lanka’s spinners laid the groundwork for a comfortable chase, leaving the West Indies unable to capitalize on the toss and their decision to bat first.
With this five-wicket win, Sri Lanka takes an early lead in the three-match ODI series, continuing their momentum from the T20s.
West Indies' hopes of securing another T20 International series victory went up in smokes, as they suffered a nine-wicket loss to Sri Lanka cruised in the decisive contest of the three-match series in Dambulla on Thursday.
It was another clinical performance from the hosts, who secured a 2-1 series triumph –their fifth home series win and third consecutive series victory of the year. They won the second contest by 73 runs on Tuesday, after West Indies won the series opener by five wickets.
After choosing to bat first, West Indies battled their way to a respectable total of 162-8, but their effort proved insufficient against a well-organized Sri Lankan side, which had everything going their way on the day.
Despite a competitive total, the Caribbean team’s bowling attack faltered under pressure, and some misfortune in the field compounded their struggles, as Sri Lanka raced to 166-1 with two overs to spare.
Scores: West Indies 162-8 (20 overs); Sri Lanka 166-1 (18 overs)
West Indies innings got off to a horrible start as they lost Evin Lewis to a one-ball duck in the first over bowled by Maheesh Theekshana. Brandon King (23) and Shai Hope (18) tried to repair the damage with a 37-run second wicket stand.
But just when they found rhythm, King got over ambitious and also had his stumps rattled by Theekshana. That resulted in a mini collapse, as Roston Chase (8), Hope, and Sherfane Rutherford (six), followed in quick succession, with the score at 62-5 at the top of the 12th over.
However, captain Rovman Powell, who topscored with 37, and Gudakesh Motie (32) went on the counter with a 54-run sixth wicket partnership that gradually rattled the Sri Lankans. Both players struck three maximums and a solitary four.
Again, just as they found a decent tempo, the partnership was broken when Motie was stumped off Wanindu Hasaranga.
Powell fought on before he holed out to Bhanuka Rajapaksa in the deep off seamer Matheesha Pathirana. Romario Shepherd’s 18-run cameo saw the Caribbean side past the 160 mark.
Theekshana (2-19) and Hasaranga (2-24) got most wickets for Sri Lanka.
West Indies total seemed very much defendable on a turning pitch, especially as they failed to chase down a similar target in the second game. Add to that the fact that they brought in Fabian Allen as a third spinner to try to make the most of the spin-friendly conditions.
However, it was not to be, as Sri Lanka made light work of the target. Kudal Mendis, 68 not out, and Kusal Perera, 55 not out, got the job done, after Pathum Nissanka (39) and the former battered West Indies into submission with a 60-run stand in the Powerplay.
Mendis struck three sixes and five fours in his 50-ball knock, while Perera used 36 balls and struck seven boundaries. Nissanki also had seven boundaries and a solitary six.
Motie got the lone wicket.
Powell in a post-game interview felt they had enough runs on the board, but were undone by a superlative run-chase.
“We had enough runs. If at the start of the game, if you said we would get 160 on a turning wicket, we would have taken it. But credit to Sri Lanka. Had we controlled the Powerplay better as a bowling group, we would have made a game of it. Giving away 60-70 in the Powerplay, it is always tough to come back. Sri Lankan spinners completely out-bowled our spinners, and we knew it would be a showdown of the spinners, about who bowled better and who batted better,” Powell said in his assessment.
“Still a lot of positives when you come to Sri Lanka and push them. My guys gave good efforts; our fast bowlers gave good efforts on these tracks. As a batting group, our guys showed we can play against spin. Want to say thanks to the people of Sri Lanka. They have been very nice to us as a touring time,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s captain Charith Asalanka, was full of praise for his team’s performance.
“Secret was the top order batters batted really well and they gave their best shot. We played good cricket (even against India) and we just needed a bit of momentum and we did that in the second game. I wasn’t concerned about losing the toss much, but when they scored more than 160, I was a bit (concerned). But I knew if our top order batted well, we could do well, so I am really happy and good to win the series,” Asalanka said.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced the squads selected for the eagerly anticipated West Indies Senior Men’s T20 International (T20I) and One Day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka. The teams are set to compete in three (3) T20Is and three (3) ODIs from 10 to 27 October 2024.
T20I Squad
The T20I squad will take on Sri Lanka from 10 to 17 October 2024. After a resounding 3-0 series sweep against South Africa earlier this year, the West Indies have climbed the rankings, moving to fourth place, and established themselves as serious contenders on the world stage. Several senior players, including Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Akeal Hosein and Shimron Hetmyer have opted out of the tour for personal reasons, opening the door for newer faces and returning players. Captain Rovman Powell will lead the side, with Roston Chase continuing in his role as Vice-Captain.
Head Coach Daren Sammy, who now leads on selection under the revamped selection system, noted the importance of this series in evaluating players for key roles and understanding the conditions ahead of future ICC Tournaments.
On the T20 squad, Coach Sammy said, “the tour of Sri Lanka gives us a chance to test our depth and assess players in different situations, especially with several senior players missing out for various reasons, including a need for rest and rehabilitation from injury. We are confident in the squad’s ability to compete strongly.”
West Indies T20I Squad:
The series will begin on 13 October 2024, with the first match at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, followed by two more matches on 15 and 17 October.
ODI Squad
The ODI squad is set to face Sri Lanka in a three-match series from 20 to 27 October 2024. Shai Hope will continue as Captain, with Vice-Captain support from Alzarri Joseph. This series provides an opportunity for CWI to focus on building its ODI team ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
A notable inclusion is Jewel Andrew, the young Antiguan wicketkeeper-batsman who has impressed and earned his place in the squad. The squad also sees the return of several key players, including Brandon King and Sherfane Rutherford.
Head Coach Sammy, remarked on the ODI squad’s balance and potential for growth: “As we continue to build our ODI team, this tour offers a valuable opportunity to evaluate strategies and give opportunities to emerging talent. We are excited to see young players like Jewel Andrew, who has earned his place as an exciting prospect for the future.”
West Indies ODI Squad:
Team Management:
Team management remains the same across both squads.
The ODI series will start on 20 October 2024, with the first match at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, followed by matches on 23 and 26 October.
Tour Schedule:
T20I Series:
All matches 7:00pm local time/9:30am Eastern Caribbean/8:30am Jamaica Caribbean fans can catch the action on Rush Sports, the Bluu App and Sports Max App.
ODI Series:
All matches 2:30pm local time/5:00am Eastern Caribbean/4:00am Jamaica
Caribbean fans can catch the action on Rush Sports, the Bluu App and Sports Max App.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has taken a historic step by offering multi-year contracts to nine players from its senior men’s and women’s teams, marking a significant moment in the region’s cricketing landscape. This milestone follows the signing of a new four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between CWI and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) in January 2024.
As part of this groundbreaking agreement, six male players and three female players were awarded multi-year contracts based on their outstanding performances during the 2023-2024 evaluation period. These contracts highlight CWI's commitment to fostering stability within the team and its dedication to developing top-tier talent in the region.
CWI Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, praised the move, stating, "The players have responded in kind, and the acceptance of multi-year contracts is an indication of clarity, confidence, and commitment on both sides. I’d like to congratulate the entire cohort on their contract awards, and I look forward to seeing them build on their performances in the next assessment period.”
Among the men awarded multi-year contracts are star wicketkeeper-batsman Shai Hope, fast bowlers Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales, along with rising talents Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, and left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie. These players have been recognized for their consistency and pivotal contributions during the evaluation period.
On the women’s side, all-rounders Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor, along with wicketkeeper Shemaine Campbelle, have earned multi-year contracts. Their leadership and performances have been key in maintaining stability within the women’s squad.
In addition to the multi-year contracts, several players were also awarded one-year international contracts. For the men, these include established names like Kraigg Brathwaite, Joshua Da Silva, and Rovman Powell, as well as newcomers Kavem Hodge and Roston Chase, who earned their first international contracts after impressive performances in 2023 and 2024.
On the women’s side, notable players like Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, and Deandra Dottin continue to be part of the contracted group, along with emerging talents such as Cherry Ann Fraser, Zaida James, and Ashmini Munisar, the latter being awarded an international contract for the first time following her standout performances in regional competitions.
As CWI moves forward with this historic contract structure, the organization hopes that these multi-year contracts will not only provide stability but also inspire further growth and commitment from the players as they build on their achievements and prepare for future international challenges.
After 30 matches in the preliminary phase, we have finally come to the portion of the 2024 Caribbean Premier League where a champion will be crowned…the playoffs.
The four-match spectacle, all to take place at the Providence Stadium in Guyana, is set to bowl off with the eliminator on Tuesday evening between the Trinbago Knight Riders and the Barbados Royals.
The loser of that encounter will unfortunately see their 2024 CPL campaign come to an end while the winner will advance to the second qualifier to face the loser of Wednesday’s Qualifier 1 between hosts, defending champions and league-phase table toppers, the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the St. Lucia Kings.
That game will take place on Friday and the winner will face the winner of Qualifier 1 in the final on Sunday.
The Kings are the only team in these playoffs yet to lift a CPL title, finishing as runners up in consecutive years in 2020 and 2021.
The Knight Riders will be looking to add to their record four titles, with the last one coming in 2020.
The Royals are two-time champions, with their wins coming in 2014 and 2019 when they were named the ‘Tridents.’
The Amazon Warriors won their first title last year after being beaten finalists five times from 2013-2019.
With all that in mind, let’s take a closer look at some of the key players for each franchise heading into the business end of the tournament.
Guyana Amazon Warriors
Shimron Hetmyer
The 27-year-old left-hander has had an excellent season with the bat for the defending champions. The former West Indies U-19 World Cup-winning captain scored 353 runs in 10 innings at an average of 39.22 and a phenomenal strike rate of 186.77.
He hit four fifties including a highest score of 91 against the St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots on September 3. Against the Kings, Hetmyer hit 58 in their second-to-last game of the league phase and will hope that form carries over to Wednesday’s game.
Gudakesh Motie and Imran Tahir
On those spin-friendly pitches in Guyana, the Amazon Warriors will need their spin twins Gudakesh Motie and Imran Tahir to shine with the ball. They’ve both been in excellent form this season with 31 wickets between them.
Motie’s 16 wickets have come at an average of 14.37 while Tahir’s 15 have come at 16.37.
St. Lucia Kings
Johnson Charles
The no nonsense right-hander has always had a reputation of being a hit or miss type of batsman. This season, he’s been doing more of the former. He scored the third most runs this season with 366 in 10 innings at an average of 40.66 and a strike rate of 152.50. He’s had scores of 19 and 12 against the Amazon Warriors this season and will be hoping to make a significant contribution against them on Wednesday.
Noor Ahmad
Still only 19-year-old, Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmad was the pick of the bowlers this season with a tournament-leading 18 wickets in 10 matches at an average of just 13.16. In his two outings against the Amazon Warriors, he recorded figures of 3-22 and 2-26 and should get a lot of assistance from the pitch in Guyana on Wednesday.
Trinbago Knight Riders
Nicholas Pooran
2024 has been a phenomenal year in T20 cricket for Nicholas Pooran. He recently broke Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan’s record for most T20 run scored in a calendar year and followed that up with a brilliant 101 in his team’s final league phase game against the Amazon Warriors on Sunday.
In total, Pooran finished with 413 runs in 10 innings at an average of 45.88 and a strike rate of 174.26. In his two games against Tuesday opponents the Royals this season, he recorded scores of 35 and 27.
Waqar Salamkheil
The second Afghan left-arm wrist spinner on this list, Salamkheil has been the Knight Riders’ strike bowler this season with Sunil Narine missing the final four games of the league phase. The 22-year-old took 15 wickets in 10 games at an average of 21.73 with his best figures of 3-13 coming against the Royals in Bridgetown on September 12.
Barbados Royals
Quinton de Kock
One of the premier T20 batsmen in the world over the last few years, the South African has shown his class all season for the Royals. His 434 runs in 10 innings at an average of 54.25 put him at the top of the list for most runs. The Royals have been heavily reliant on de Kock’s production this season as he is the only Royals batsman in the top 15. He also had the highest individual score this season, 115 against the Amazon Warriors in Bridgetown on September 13.
Maheesh Theekshana
In his first CPL season, the Sri Lankan mystery spinner has been the best performing bowler for the Royals. He played all 10 games, taking 15 wickets at an impressive economy of just 5.87 and an average of 15.26.
All the matches can be viewed live on Sportsmax and the Sportsmax app.
Guyana Amazon Warriors helped their chances of securing a top two finish in the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) by inflicting a 47-run defeat on Barbados Royals Wednesday night. The Royals would have been hopeful for a top of the table finish too given their earlier form in the competition but a third defeat for them in recent matches means they may have to settle for third or fourth place and a harder path to the title.
Royals captain Rovman Powell won the toss on what looked a fantastic batting wicket and opted to insert the opposition. The pitch was conducive to stroke-play and despite the early loss of Rahmanullah Gurbaz the Warriors cashed in, posting an imposing 219-8 off their 20 overs.
At one point, when Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer were in full flow and displaying some mouth-watering stroke play it very much looked like a bigger total would be in the offing for the Warriors but after the two experienced hands fell before the end (for 71 off 37 balls and 57 off 34 balls respectively) the Royals managed to peg the defending champions back in the final five overs. Maheesh Theeskhana the pick of the Royals bowlers with an economical and wicket-taking spell of 3-15.
So consistent in the earlier stages of the competition, the Royals’ batting card failed to fire in response. Moeen Ali pinned talisman Quinton de Kock lbw for 35 and Imran Tahir sprinting off into the outfield in customary celebration with the key wicket of Powell.
David Miller, unbeaten on 71, offered some resistance in the Royals middle order and played some audacious strokes at the back end to take him to a battling half century but wickets continuously fell all around him as the Warriors spin attack used the scoreboard pressure to their advantage and piled on the pain. A score of 172-9 at the close meant the Royals finished comfortably short and the Warriors were never in trouble.
Moeen Ali continued his fine tournament with the ball by claiming 2-16 and fellow spinner Gudakesh Motie was more expensive but pocketed three wickets. The Warriors are finding form in both departments as the competition heads into its final phase.
David Miller’s pyrotechnics once the result had effectively been decided meant the final scorecard wasn’t as grim as it could have been for the Royals but they have plenty to put right after a chastening defeat to their fellow title hopefuls.
Guyana Amazon Warriors, defending champions of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), put in a swaggering performance to claim three wins in three games to sit at the head of the standings after ten games of this year’s tournament.
Their opponents, Saint Lucia Kings, suffered their first loss of the 2024 tournament on what for them was a chastening night at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in Gros Islet. A thumping six wicket win with 10 overs to spare was a real statement of intent from the Warriors.
Imran Tahir won the toss and elected to insert the Kings. The defending champions put in another impressive performance with the ball, Tahir claiming 3-29 and Player of the Match Gudakesh Motie taking 3-13 as the Kings failed to recover from a PowerPlay that saw them reduced to 43-4.
Some lower order striking from Matthew Forde managed to haul the Kings to three figures exactly but the Warriors made extremely short work of the target.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz lit up the Saint Lucia sky with sixes as he struck 47 runs off just 19 balls that included not a single four but saw seven sixes clear the ropes.
Gurbaz eventually fell with just nine more runs needed for victory, pinned lbw by Noor Ahmad attempting a reverse-sweep that would have brought him a rapid fifty. Noor also bowled Tim Robinson but not before the Warrior’s debutant opener had got the chase off to a breezy start with 33 off 20 deliveries - including a deliciously driven lofted six down the ground.
A fired up Alzarri Joseph had Azam Khan caught at short third and was thrilled with the wicket. Joseph then greeted Shimron Hetmyer with a stare and another short delivery but Hetmyer launched the next ball high and long over mid-on for six and then scampered the winning runs off the next over to have the decisive final say.
It was a day to forget for the Kings but one to savour for the Warriors, Barbados Royals are the only other side that remain unbeaten in this year’s competition.
Defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors made it two wins in two games with a comfortable 40-run win over St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in match seven of the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) at Basseterre.
Electing to bat first in rainy conditions could have been seen as a risk but Imran Tahir’s Warriors had no such qualms as they set about posting a sizeable score of 266-7 off their 20 overs. A rope had been dragged around the wet outfield before play began but the showery conditions failed to dampen the Warrior’s run rate.
In fact, Shimron Hetmyer took the ground conditions out of the equation all together by blitzing 11 sixes to all parts of the stadium to rack up 91 runs off just 39 balls. An incredible display of hitting in an innings that didn’t include a single four. It proved to be a decisive knock from Hetmyer who was later awarded Player of the Match.
The Warriors’ total was the second highest in CPL history, just one run behind the score made by the Trinbago Knight Riders against the Jamaica Tallawahs in 2019. The match also had a record for sixes in a CPL match, with 42 Republic Bank Maximums flying out of Warner Park.
In response, Patriots captain Andre Fletcher led by example at the top of the order by compiling 81 off 33 balls but when he was well caught by Dwaine Pretorious off the skiddy spin of Gudakesh Motie in the 13th over the Patriots chase lost its impetus and wickets fell steadily throughout.
A late delay for another rain shower couldn’t save Fletcher’s side as after a short break Pretorious served up the coup de grace by bouncing out Mikyle Louis to seal the win with 12 balls to spare. and condemn the Patriots to their third straight defeat.
Spin proved to be a decisive factor in the high scoring match, with Warriors captain Tahir bowling a pivotal double wicket maiden in the 10th over, outfoxing both Josh Clarkson and Odean Smith in a matter of balls. He ended with three wickets as did Motie with his cunning slow left arm.
The Warriors look a strong outfit with bat and ball as they set about trying to go back-to-back in this year’s CPL while the Patriots will be looking to bounce back against the Barbados Royals on Friday.
West Indies players enjoyed big moves in the ICC Men’s T20 International Rankings, which serves as just reward for another convincing 3-0 series sweep of South Africa in Trinidad and Tobago.
Wicketkeeper batsman Nicholas Pooran moved three spots to break into the top 10 after scores of 65 not out, 19 and 35 across the three games. The aggressive left-hander is now the Caribbean side’s highest-ranked batsman in the format, overtaking the injured Brandon King, who slipped one place down to 10 after he sat out the series.
Johnson Charles, who also didn’t feature in the series, also slipped one place down to 11th, while West Indies captain Rovman Powell stood still at number 34.
Shai Hope continues to prove his worth in the games shortest format, as his scores of 51, 41, and an unbeaten 42 saw him jump 32 places up to 40th, overtaking out-of-favour Kyle Mayers, who slipped three spots down to 42nd as the next West Indies players in the top 50.
Despite the loss, South Africa’s Reeza Hendricks also made gains, as he moved up to 13th position.
In the bowling rankings, West Indies left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein of moved up four places to second position after taking four wickets in three matches. He was joined by fellow left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, who moved 10 slots up to third, while Romario Shepherd moved 13 spots up to 31st position.
Alzarri Joseph, who slipped four spots to 15th, Jason Holder (44th) and left-arm seamer Obed McCoy (50th) are the other West Indies bowlers in the top 50.
Meanwhile, England batter Harry Brook moved up to fourth position, while Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Rizwan have reached career-best positions in the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings after their fine performances over the past week.
Brook’s scores of 56 and 32 in the first match of their ICC World Test Championship series against Sri Lanka in Manchester lifted him three places to fourth position, just one adrift of his career-best third position attained following his second-innings century against the West Indies at Trent Bridge last month.
Bangladesh batter Mushfiq’s match-winning 191 in the first Test of the WTC series against Pakistan in Rawalpindi has helped him advance seven places to a career-best-equalling 17th position, while Pakistan’s Rizwan is in the top 10 for the first time after scores of 171 not out and 51.
Others to move up the Test rankings include Sri Lanka batters Dinesh Chandimal (up four places to 23rd) and Kamindu Mendis (up eight places to 36th), Bangladesh’s Liton Das (up two places to 27th) and England’s Jamie Smith (up 22 places to 42nd).
In the Test bowling rankings, England’s Chris Woakes is up four places to 16th after taking three wickets each in both innings against Sri Lanka while Asitha Fernando is up 10 places to 17th after also finishing with six wickets in the match.
Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah (up four places to 33rd), England’s new-ball bowler Gus Atkinson (up four places to 42nd) and Matthew Potts (up five places to 57th) are the prominent movers in the bowling rankings.
The West Indies clinched their third successive series win against South Africa with a dramatic 30-run victory at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad on Sunday. A potent bowling attack, led by Romario Shepherd, Shamar Joseph, Akeal Hosein, and Matthew Forde, played a pivotal role in dismantling South Africa's chase and securing the win.
Set a target of 180, South Africa appeared to be in a strong position at 129 for 3 in the 14th over, but the West Indies bowlers had other plans. In a stunning collapse, South Africa lost seven wickets for just 20 runs within the space of 35 balls, eventually being bowled out for 149 in 19.4 overs, falling short by 30 runs.
The West Indies' innings was anchored by key contributions from Shai Hope (41) and Rovman Powell (35), allowing them to post a competitive 179 for 6. South Africa's bowlers, led by Lizaad Williams (3 for 36) and Gerald Coetzee (2 for 29), kept the West Indies' scoring in check, but the hosts managed a late flourish, adding 50 runs in the last five overs.
South Africa started their chase aggressively, racing to 100 inside 10 overs, but the West Indies bowlers tightened the screws in the middle overs. Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie delivered crucial breakthroughs, dismissing Tristan Stubbs and Donovan Ferreira respectively. However, it was the duo of Romario Shepherd and Shamar Joseph who truly turned the game on its head.
Shepherd was particularly effective, claiming 3 for 15 in his four overs, while Joseph recorded a career-best 3 for 31. Their combined efforts derailed South Africa's chase, which at one point seemed on track for victory.
South Africa's middle-order collapse highlighted concerns for the visitors, with only one batter from No. 3 down managing to surpass 20 runs. In a match where individual scoring milestones were scarce, the West Indies' ability to clear the boundary made the difference. They hit 13 sixes compared to South Africa's six, underscoring their superiority in power-hitting.
The 47-run stand between Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford provided the West Indies with a crucial edge, as their late acceleration ensured a challenging total for South Africa.
The victory not only secured the series for the West Indies but also demonstrated their growing dominance over South Africa, particularly in home conditions. The hosts will now look to build on this momentum as they prepare for future challenges.
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