分类： sports

Jason Holder, the renowned West Indies all-rounder, has been appointed as the new captain of the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders for the 2025-26 edition of the International League T20 (ILT20). The 33-year-old Barbadian takes over the reins from fellow West Indian Sunil Narine, who previously led the team. Holder joined the franchise earlier this year and quickly established himself as a key player with his exceptional all-round performances. Despite the team’s disappointing finish at the bottom of the points table in the 2025 season, Holder emerged as a standout performer, taking 17 wickets and scoring 126 runs at an impressive strike rate of 180. Holder, a former West Indies captain, will now lead a star-studded squad that includes marquee players such as Andre Russell, Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt, Sherfane Rutherford, and Sunil Narine. His extensive T20 experience and leadership skills are expected to bring a fresh dynamic to the team, which has struggled in recent seasons. Under Narine’s captaincy, the Knight Riders managed only three wins in ten matches during the 2025 season, finishing last in the six-team tournament. The team also faced similar challenges in the 2023 and 2024 editions, ending both campaigns at the bottom of the table. The Knight Riders will kick off their ILT20 2025-26 season against the Sharjah Warriorz on December 3 in Sharjah.

Gregory Brathwaite, the esteemed Barbadian cricket umpire, has officially announced his retirement from the international cricket scene, concluding a distinguished career that spanned over a decade. At 55, Brathwaite confirmed his decision last month, formally notifying the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) of his retirement, effective September 30.

The West Indies cricket team has made strategic additions to their T20 International (T20I) squad ahead of their five-match series against New Zealand, commencing this Wednesday. All-rounders Matthew Forde and Shamar Springer have been called up to reinforce the team’s bowling attack, which has been hampered by injuries and unavailability of key players. The duo are the only new inclusions in the 15-member squad, which recently secured a dominant 3-0 victory over Bangladesh in their last T20I series. Forde, who had been sidelined with a shoulder injury earlier this year, has successfully completed his rehabilitation and is set to make his return. Springer’s inclusion comes as a response to the absence of seam bowlers Ramon Simmons and Jediah Blades, both ruled out due to injuries, alongside the unavailability of fast bowlers Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph. In a notable move, left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie has been omitted from the squad following a dip in form, attributed to technical issues with his bowling action. Motie will now work with specialists, including the Royals Sports Group, to address these concerns ahead of his participation in the SA20 tournament in December. The Cricket West Indies (CWI) has also announced the appointment of clinical psychologist Krisnan Hurdle as a mental skills and performance coach, a decision aimed at enhancing the players’ psychological resilience and focus. CWI Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, emphasized the importance of mental strength in elite cricket, stating that the addition of Hurdle aligns with global best practices and underscores the organization’s commitment to developing well-rounded athletes. The West Indies squad for the series includes Shai Hope as captain, alongside a mix of experienced players and emerging talents, as they aim to build momentum ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

In a gripping Round of 16 clash at the Prime Minister’s Cup, Gall Hill’s undefeated streak in the Premier League came to an end as they were narrowly defeated 3-2 by Deacons FC on Saturday evening. The match, filled with high-octane action, saw Deacons FC and Kickstart Rush secure their spots in the quarterfinals, joining Wotton FC and St Andrew Lions.

The 2025 Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) Elite Division three-day competition’s Series 9 turned into a batting spectacle, with four players scoring centuries and another narrowly missing the milestone. The second day of play showcased exceptional performances across multiple matches, highlighting the dominance of batsmen in this round of the tournament. Shian Brathwaite of Empire set the tone on Day 1 with a stellar 148 against ESA Field Pickwick, while Joshua Morris of Wanderers followed suit with a commanding 106 against Sagicor Windward. Morris’s century, achieved off 141 balls, included 12 fours and a six, propelling Wanderers to a total of 275 for nine declared. Wanderers’ bowlers, led by Maxwell Lewis and Khomari Griffith, had earlier restricted Windward to 159, giving them a significant first-innings lead. Meanwhile, Wildey’s Joshua Dorne and Demetrius Richards stole the show with a 217-run partnership, scoring 127 and 100 respectively, to declare at 356/6 against Urgent Care Bayview Hospital YMPC. Zion Brathwaite of UWI remained unbeaten on 96, poised to reach his century on Day 3. In other matches, Empire’s spinners Jomel Warrican and Kobe Williams dismantled Pickwick’s batting lineup, while Akeem McCollin’s 70 guided Superb Blend Gladiola to a strong position against SigniaGlobe Financial BCA Youth. The tournament continues to deliver thrilling cricketing action, with batsmen taking center stage.

The Barbados Beach Soccer Championship 2025 witnessed a series of electrifying matches on Sunday, with teams showcasing their prowess on the sandy pitches of Browne’s Beach and setting the stage for the upcoming quarterfinals. The Pelican Pirates delivered a masterclass performance, crushing the Tikki Tacklers with an emphatic 8-0 victory. Shawn Jack emerged as a standout player, netting two goals in the ninth and 26th minutes, while Savion Hoyte, Decarlo Straker, Jerome Blackett, Shakia Grenville, Mani Cheltenham, and Kadane Jones each contributed to the dominant win. This commanding performance has positioned the Pelican Pirates as strong contenders for the title.

The Sunset Chasers also made their mark, overpowering Full Volley with a 7-1 triumph. Ozim Henderson and Tezan Phillips led the charge with two goals each, supported by Ormando McCloud, Cleon Culley, and Keron Bishop. Despite Rasheed Mayers’ consolation goal for Full Volley, the Sunset Chasers’ relentless attack proved too much to handle.

Sea Breeze continued their impressive run, securing a 6-1 victory over Tropical Twisters. Jamal Chandler set the tone with two early goals, followed by contributions from Ron Pile, Dario Haynes, Shaquille Griffith, and Jabari Brandford. Brandon Morris managed to score Tropical Twisters’ only goal, but it was insufficient to challenge Sea Breeze’s dominance.

The most thrilling match of the day saw Sundown Ballers narrowly defeat Sunshine United 7-6 in a high-scoring spectacle. Erick Joseph stole the show with four goals, while Mario Graham added two to seal the win. Despite Miguel Clarke’s hat-trick and Deondre Ward’s two goals for Sunshine United, the team fell short in a nail-biting finish.

Other notable results included Tropical Thunder’s 6-0 demolition of Wave Runners, Beach Blitzers’ 2-1 victory over Island Invincibles, Bajan Heat’s extra-time 3-2 win against Southern Rays, and Trident Spurs’ comfortable 4-1 triumph over Island Fusion. The quarterfinals, scheduled for next Sunday at Brandon’s Beach, promise to deliver more excitement and fierce competition.