The Jamaica Tallawahs secured their third victory of the 2022 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season with a win over Trinbago Knight Riders by 34 runs.

The Trinbago Knight Riders won the toss and chose to field, Ravi Rampaul making early inroads by removing both openers, Brandon King and Kennar Lewis. However, Tallawahs captain Rovman Powell would lead by example, hitting ten boundaries in his innings of 67 to take his side to 153/7 after 20 overs. 

Trinbago Knight Riders in turn lost the wickets of Sunil Narine and Tion Webster early on, and largely due to superb bowling spells from Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, were unable to find any fluency as they consistently lost wickets, ending up on 119/8 and losing by 34 runs.

Jamaica Tallawahs lost both of their openers in the PowerPlay, and were struggling to score runs in the first ten overs, before Powell combined with Raymon Reifer in a 90-run partnership stand to aid their side. Sunil Narine bowled exceptionally well and was rewarded with the wickets of both Powell and Fabian Allen to restrict scoring in the final overs, with the Tallawahs setting a target of 154 to win.

Trinbago Knight Riders once again utilised Narine at the top of the order but he was bowled in the first over by Amir. After Webster was run-out, Colin Munro and Tim Seifert attempted to rebuild but eventually, both lost their wickets. Amir struck again to remove Nicholas Pooran as the Knight Riders were unable to build any partnerships, with Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell also falling. In the end, they scored 119/8, falling 34 runs short of their target. 

The win means Jamaica Tallawahs have now won three of their first four games, while Trinbago have lost two successive matches. 

Jamaica Tallawahs spinner Sandeep Lamichhane will play no further part in this season’s competition after being suspended by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) in lieu of an arrest warrant being issued in his hope country of Nepal.

The arrest warrant, which was issued in Kathmandu, lists the charges as coercion of another person and was announced publicly on Thursday.  The decision to suspend the player was made by the CAN after a meeting and a statement from the body indicated that the cricketer would remain suspended until the matter was investigated.

 Lamichane, who previously played for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and Barbados Tridents was yet to take the field this season.  In 2020, however, the player was the leading wicket-taker for the Jamaica Tallawahs franchise.

In response, the 22-year-old tweeted to address the issue and announced that he would be leaving the Jamaica franchise and prepare to defend himself against what he called baseless allegations.

“I am innocent and keep complete belief in the respectable laws of Nepal.  I have decided to take a leave from the CPL and go back to my country within a few days.  I am ready to face all these baseless allegations.  May justice be served to the innocent and right investigations to be done,” the player posted on Instagram.

Former Cricket West Indies president Dave Cameron would only consider another bid for the leadership of the sport’s regional governing body under the right conditions because leading the CWI is too difficult.

Cameron, 51, was a director of the then West Indies Cricket Board between 2002 and 2019 and was elected president in 2013.

Cameron’s tenure as president was tinged by controversy and conflict with several West Indies players and he lost the presidency to former West Indies team manager Ricky Skerritt in 2019.

However, in recent months the Skerritt administration has come in for criticism and the West Indies teams have had a poor run of form in all formats, prompting discussion as to whether Cameron would consider another run at the presidency.

“The first time I ran for a cricket office was 2013 for president of Cricket West Indies. Prior to that my work was what put me forward and persons would come and say we need your help here or we believe you can lead here and there,” Cameron told Sportsmax. TV.

“If I am asked then obviously I would consider it but it would be under different circumstances and the situation is that we would have to find a way to get everybody in agreement because what you don’t want is the fragmentation of the boards, the issues, it’s very difficult.”

He admitted that there isn’t much appeal to stepping back into the hot seat, especially with the myriad of issues affecting the region and sports administration.

“To be honest, West Indies cricket is very difficult. It’s difficult to organize. You’re talking about 16 different countries, different parishes, different views, different races, all those things play a significant role and it’s the challenge we have in the CARICOM,” Cameron reasoned.

LIAT (the airline) has died because the governments of the OECS couldn’t get it together and agree. There is no silver bullet. There is no one man or one woman who can change the fortunes but it’s really a message that everybody could buy into, and that is kind of what I was trying to do.”

He did offer a solution to the issues that ail regional cricket.

“My view is that a merit-driven system is what works,” he said.

“As a region, full of talent, very bright people let us try and focus on a merit-based system, get the best people in all the areas and I think we will start seeing success.”

Shericka Jackson plans to go faster than her world-leading time when she competes in the Diamond League 200m final on Thursday.

Jamaica Reggae Girlz captain Khadijah Shaw has labelled the just concluded two-match tour of South Korea as a valuable learning experience, despite the team losing both matches.

Following a 1-0 loss to their Asian counterparts on Saturday, the team closed out the tour with a 2-0 defeat on Wednesday.  Despite the results, the tour that was earmarked as an opportunity to evaluate players and team tactics was in Shaw's estimation a huge success.

“From the beginning the coach had said he wanted to use this opportunity to see other players, to find an identity and style of play, especially now that we have time before the World Cup,” Shaw said.

“So just coming here, playing against a different style, playing against a team that loves the ball helped us to know that sometimes we are going to suffer in different games and that gives us an idea of how we can approach the game,” she added.

The Reggae Girlz are expected to take part in further camps during the October and November window.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will be in Zurich this week after all.

Megan Tapper, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist and 2012 Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott produced podium-worthy performances at the 2022 ISTAF Berlin meet on Sunday.

Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz suffered a 1-0 defeat to South Korea in a friendly international at the Hwaseong Stadium on Saturday.

In the first meeting between the teams, the fixture was settled by an early goal from Choe Yu-ri who found the back of the net in the 13^th minute.  The Reggae Girlz made a few changes to the starting line-up ahead of the match, including the return of Sydney Schneider who was the team’s custodian at the last FIFA World Cup, and a debut for Siobhan Marie Wilson.

Head coach of the unit Lorne Donaldson believes that barring a bit of inefficiency the team put in a creditable performance.

“Playing with this style that we are not accustomed to, I think the first half we were very tentative and we actually gave up a goal we shouldn’t have,” Lorne said after the match.

“In the second half, it was much better.  We might have scored but that’s football.  We’ll make some adjustments the players who didn’t play in this game will play in the next game because we still have to evaluate,” he added.

“Winning is good but sometimes you just have to evaluate, look and see what you have and that’s what we are here for.”

Xavi Tamarit, UEFA Pro License Coach from Valencia, Spain, will be in Jamaica for the next two weeks, during which time he, along with Andre Virtue, the founder and director of Ballaz Academy, will evaluate and strengthen the academy’s overall philosophy, technical, tactical, and coaching capabilities. They will also finalize an eight-year development plan that the academy is about to embark on.

Tamarit boasts an enviable record in football development and philosophy with over 15 years of coaching experience.

He has coached at the professional level in the English Premier League with Southampton FC, in La Liga with Valencia CF, Deportivo Alavés and CD Leganés and in Greece with Aris FC and Levadiakos FC.

He has also coached in Argentina with Estudiantes de La Plata, CA Independiente and Vélez Sarsfield.

He has also written two internationally recognized books on the methodology of training called Tactical Periodization and has spoken at conferences around the world at the invitation of federations and universities.

As a player, Tamarit competed in the Champions League, UEFA Cup, Libertadores Cup and South American Cup.

Xavi’s visit, the result of an invitation from Virtue, is part of the strengthening of the relationship between Ballaz Academy and The Next Generation Sports (TNGS), Valencia Spain.

The two organizations have in place an MOU which includes Coaching Development & Education, player and coach exchanges, tours, camps, clinics and workshops.

“As we celebrate 20 years, we have much to give thanks for. We have achieved much and impacted the lives of many of Jamaica’s most talented football players at the primary, secondary and club level,” said Virtue.

“As we look ahead, however, we are committed to pioneering even more pathways for our players and coaches and we are being more intentional about connecting with global stakeholders and partners.

“Xavi’s presence here is a part of that intentionality. First and foremost, he is a friend, then a coaching colleague with an amazing football mind and we share a passion for youth football development and the opportunities that football can provide.

“It is an honour to have Xavi here sharing his love for football, Jamaica, and his experiences as a pro coach. As we continue to build our relationship with TNGS, we build pathways of opportunity for our players and by extension other Jamaican coaches and players.”

Xavi, who has had previous visits to Jamaica in 2011 and 2012 shared that, “Being in Jamaica is a wonderful experience. Andre’ and the Ballaz family came to Spain in July and we were able to see the high level of play as well as the character demonstrated by the players.

The coaching philosophy of Ballaz is also one that is impressive because it focuses not only on developing world-class footballers but great people. I know that this relationship started many years ago with Ivan Salazar, Director of TNGS and it is good to see that it is now at a place where Ballaz can benefit even more from what we have to offer.”

Since, 2002 Ballaz International has been coaching the lives of their football players with the goals of not just top-class football, but building the character of its participants in an atmosphere of love, family and professional excellence. “Our vision is to transform individuals, families, communities, the nation and the world through love and football,” Virtue said.

Jamaica Reggae Girlz coach Lorne Donaldson says the team will use its upcoming fixture against South Korea and others this year to trim down a highly competitive squad ahead of next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.  

The Jamaicans will play their first match since qualifying for the tournament two months ago when they South Korea on Saturday.  Donaldson will, however, field somewhat of a changed line-up, partly through necessity but also with half a mind on looking at potential additions to the team.

“This window going into South Korea and the next two windows is to look at some new players and give the older players that have been in the squad another chance, so they can put themselves in position for next year to be part of the World Cup squad,” Donaldson said.

“It gives us coaches a deeper squad to choose from and ensures that we do not leave any stone unturned.  So, this team going into South Korea will be the start of that, and expect the team to be very competitive.  There are a few familiar names that are missing but that’s what we want…it’s good for us to have a deeper pool of players,” he added.

Four new players have been called to Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz 23-player squad for the friendly.

For Alwyn Williams from St Mary, the match that sparked his love for cricket was one he played as a boy in the streets with his friends and elder brother, Adrian Silvera.

Jamaica international Andre Blake insists will be business as usual but acknowledges the significance of the moment as he prepares to make a 200^th appearance for Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise.

Should the player make the starting line-up, as expected, against Atlanta United on Wednesday it should mark his 200^th appearance for the club, the second most in franchise history and most for a goalkeeper.

The goalkeeper was the first overall signing of the Union in the 2014 MLS Superdraft and 9 years later has gone on to be one of the club's most consistent and recognizable players.  The goalkeeper who led the team to the MLS Supporters Shield in 2020 and second place in the U.S Open cup in 2014, 2015, and 2016 was also named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2016 and 2020.

“In a sense, it’s just another number, just another game,” Blake told the Daily Times. “That’s what keeps me humble. But in another sense, it’s a great achievement. You’d have to be in the league for quite a number of years to be able to have 200 starts. It’s a big deal, obviously, but it’s how you look at it. I’m very happy for that moment, but the show must go on.”

Blake has recovered from an early tumultuous spell in 2015 after injuring his right then his left knee.

Jamaican Olympian Simone Facey is now a certified coach of athletics.

The semi-finalists in the 2022 Kingston Wharves U15 Cricket Competitions will begin vying for spots in the final on Tuesday.

Kingston Cricket Club will take on St. Elizabeth Cricket Association at Sabina Park in Kingston while Kensington Cricket Club do battle with the St. Mary Cricket Association at Kensington Cricket Ground, also in Kingston.

St. Mary is the only unbeaten team left in the competition having won three of its preliminary round matches with the other being rained out. 

Kingston's quarter-final match against Boys Town last Thursday at Sabina Park was a low-scoring affair.

Boys Town was bowled out for just 52 in 20.2 overs. Rajae McGeachy, who scored 10, was the only batter in double figures as the Boys Town lineup wilted before the Kingston attack led by Quewayne Anglin had remarkable figures of 5-5 from 5.2 overs.

Mekanel Palmer and Keanu Henry each took two wickets.

 Kingston achieved their target for the loss of three wickets, reaching 57-3 from 16 overs. Thirty-three of those runs came from extras.

McGheachy took two for 19 and Samuel Burgher got the other for seven runs.

Meanwhile, Kensington walloped St Catherine by 174 runs in their match played at Chedwin Park in St Catherine.

Led by Joziah Neil, who made 99 and David Dewar, 77, Kensington racked up 286-8 from their 50 overs.

Vitel Lawes took 3-36 and Danza Hyatt 2-53.

The score proved too steep a hill to climb for St Catherine Cricket Club as they slumped to 102 all out from 25.5 overs. Lawes 34 and Antwon Robinson 19 were the main scorers in the losing effort.

Bowling for Kensington Jevon Golding took 3-9, Dewar 2-13 and Joziah Neil 2-18.

Over at Manley Horne Park in St Elizabeth, the St Elizabeth Cricket Association side beat St Catherine Cricket Association by 103 runs.

St Elizabeth CA made 155-7 seven in the match that was reduced to 28 overs because of rain. Davian Mason got 41 and Jalil Smith, 23.

Oneil Bonner took 4-14 and Lamar Savage 2-36 for St Catherine CA.

In reply, St. Catherine CA crumbled to 52 all out in 19 overs. Smith was the standout bowler with 5-9 and Kevaughn Brown took 2-10 in the rout.

 Westmoreland lost by 18 runs to St Mary in the match played at Boscobel.

Batting first, St. Mary made 113 in 22.2 overs.

Jaquain Jackson scored 21 and Jevaughny Shim, 18, of the paltry score as Delante Scott took 3-25 and E-Jay Spence 3-30.

Despite the relatively easy target, Westmoreland was bowled out for 97.

Rasheed Palmer, 30, and E-Jay Spence, 19, were the main scorers in the losing cause.

Rushawn Bell took 5-27 and was supported by Devonte Miller who snagged 2-19.

The final is set to be played on Thursday, September 1.

200m World Champion Noah Lyles insists he would not be surprised to see Jamaica sprint star Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce break the longstanding women’s 100m world record, on the heels of a remarkable season to date.

Fraser-Pryce, the 100m World Champion, pulled out of a showdown with compatriots Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shericka Jackson earlier this week, after feeling some tightness in her hamstring.

Prior to that, however, the 35-year-old has been in near flawless form so far.  Fraser-Pryce has dipped below 10.7 on a record six occasions, with her best of 10.62 coming at the Morocco Diamond League meet two weeks ago.  Lyles an athlete who is no stranger to fast times himself believes the performances are an indication the Jamaican is on the verge of something special.

“I heard that she said she wanted to break the world record this year and I’m like yeah I can see that.  I mean consistently dropping below 10.7s, 10.6s like almost every race and that’s very scary,” Lyles said ahead of the Lausanne Diamond League meet.

“Anytime you see somebody running a time that’s almost the exact same time, very consistently, every race, it means they’re about to make a huge drop.  It happened for me in the 2018 season when I ran nothing but 19.6 every race and I dropped it down to 19.5.  This year I was just playing around in the area of 19.6, 19.7, and all of a sudden I just made that huge jump to 19.3,” he added.

Last season, it was another Jamaican who had the record in her sights.  After a sensational 2021, which saw her crowned the double Olympic champion in Tokyo, Thompson-Herah clocked the second fastest time ever recorded over the distance with a 10.54 run in Eugene, Oregon.

“When Elaine was running in 2021 and messing around with the 10.6, 10.7 area then she just dropped it to 10.5, that just wasn’t out of nowhere she was just consistently running the same pattern and when her body was ready, the wind was ready and the day was good, she was ready to go,” Lyles said.

 “I’m really just waiting on Shelly to have that moment where her body is ready and the day is right, the crowd is there and the wind is perfect, I’m not going to be shocked when that world record pops up or it's right next to it or maybe way ahead of it.”

The record of 10.49 held by the United States’ Florence Griffith-Joyner has stood since 1988.