分类： sports

In a commanding display of cricketing prowess, the Soca Strikers clinched the Senior 50-Over trials final with a resounding nine-wicket victory over the Cocrico Warriors. The match, held at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on October 17, saw the Strikers dismantle their opponents in a low-scoring affair. The Warriors, after winning the toss and choosing to bat first, were bowled out for a meager 89 runs in just 17.3 overs. Terrance Hinds, the Strikers’ fast bowler, was the standout performer, claiming four wickets for 29 runs. His aggressive spell, supported by Abdul-Raheem Toppin (2/32), Shaaron Lewis (1/10), and Damion Joachim (1/11), left the Warriors reeling at 51/6 after 11 overs. Only Joshua James (17), Navin Bidaisee (16), and Crystian Thurton (15) managed to reach double figures for the Warriors. In response, the Strikers’ top order made light work of the target. Opener Nicholas Sookdeosingh led the charge with a fearless 51 off 48 balls, including eight fours and one six. Cephas Cooper provided steady support with an unbeaten 30, while Leonardo Julien contributed five not out. The Strikers reached the target of 90 in just 15.2 overs, losing only one wicket. Terrance Hinds was named Man-of-the-Match for his pivotal role in the victory, while Abdul Raheem Toppin was awarded Player of the Tournament for his consistent performances throughout the trials.

The Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premiership is reaching a pivotal stage as the top four teams gear up for their round 11 matches on October 18, each aiming to secure three crucial points in their quest for the 2025 title. League leaders Naparima College, boasting an unbeaten record with 24 points, face a challenging encounter against fifth-placed Queen’s Royal College (QRC) at QRC’s home ground. Naparima, fresh off a dominant 4-1 victory over reigning champions Fatima College, are determined to maintain their flawless run and continue their defensive prowess, having conceded only two goals this season. Meanwhile, QRC, with 16 points, has struggled recently, suffering back-to-back 2-1 defeats to Fatima and Trinity Moka, and will need to regroup to challenge the league leaders. Second-placed Fatima College (22 points) seeks to rebound from their mid-week loss as they host Signal Hill Secondary, while third-ranked Presentation College San Fernando (21 points) faces a tough test against St Anthony’s College. Fourth-placed St Benedict’s College (18 points) also has a challenging fixture against San Juan North, who are coming off a 4-0 victory. Other matches in round 11 include St Mary’s College versus Trinity Moka, St Augustine Secondary against Scarborough Secondary, and Malick’s clash with Arima North. With the standings tightly contested, every match could prove decisive in the race for the championship.

The West Indies men’s Under-19 cricket team is set to clash with their English counterparts in a high-stakes seven-match Youth One-Day International (ODI) series from November 16 to December 1 at the Grenada National Stadium in St George’s. This announcement, made by Cricket West Indies (CWI) on October 16, comes on the back of the Windies’ thrilling 4-3 series victory over Sri Lanka’s Under-19 team last month. The series is a pivotal part of the West Indies’ preparation for the International Cricket Council Men’s Under-19 World Cup, scheduled for January 2026. Originally planned for St Vincent and the Grenadines, the venue was shifted to Grenada due to scheduling conflicts with the National Sports Council. CWI director of cricket Miles Bascombe emphasized the importance of the series, stating that it aligns with the regional body’s strategy to expose young players to high-quality competition. ‘The recent win against Sri Lanka has already boosted the team’s confidence, and this series against England will further hone their skills and match awareness,’ Bascombe remarked. Both teams will arrive in Grenada on November 8, with three days of training and a warm-up match against a Grenada Under-25 select XI on November 12. All matches will commence at 9 am.

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy and ODI captain Shai Hope are confident as they prepare to face Bangladesh in the first of a three-match ODI series at the Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on October 18. Despite Bangladesh’s recent struggles in ODI cricket, including a 2-1 loss to Sri Lanka in June and a 3-0 defeat against Afghanistan last week, Sammy and Hope emphasized that past results will have little bearing on the upcoming matches. West Indies, on the other hand, have had a mixed year, with a 1-1 series tie against Ireland in May, a 3-0 loss to England in June, and a 2-1 victory over Pakistan in August. The last encounter between the two teams in December 2024 saw West Indies sweep Bangladesh 3-0 at home. Sammy warned that Bangladesh remains a formidable opponent in their home conditions, urging his team to play exceptionally well to secure a win. The series is crucial for West Indies as they aim to accumulate points for automatic qualification for the 2027 ICC World Cup in South Africa. Hope highlighted the importance of adapting to the subcontinental conditions, noting that the pitch could be tricky. Despite some concerns, Sammy expressed satisfaction with the team’s preparation, which included a high-performance camp in Chennai. Hope assured that senior players would guide the younger ones through the challenging conditions, emphasizing the need to focus on the present rather than past results.

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has passionately defended the legacy and identity of West Indies cricket, asserting that its historical significance and influence remain undiminished despite recent on-field struggles. Speaking ahead of the first One-Day International (ODI) against Bangladesh on October 18, Sammy addressed concerns about the fading relevance of the ‘idea of West Indies’ among younger generations. He emphasized that the West Indies brand is one of the most successful and respected in cricket history, recalling its era of dominance that inspired fans worldwide. Sammy, a former captain who led the team to two ICC T20 World Cup titles, acknowledged the team’s current challenges but framed them as part of the natural cycles experienced by all cricketing nations. He pointed to recent setbacks, including a 2-0 Test series loss to India and a surprising T20 series defeat to Nepal, as part of this transitional phase. Despite these difficulties, Sammy expressed confidence in the next generation of players and administrators working to restore the region’s cricketing pride. He highlighted the team’s historical impact, noting how West Indies cricket has inspired aspiring players globally, including in Bangladesh. Sammy concluded by reaffirming his belief in the enduring legacy of the maroon, stating that the West Indies brand remains a source of pride and inspiration, far from being a ‘failing’ one.

The Jamaican women’s national football team, affectionately known as the ‘Reggae Girlz,’ has unveiled a 20-player roster for their upcoming international friendly against Trinidad and Tobago on October 28. This match, tentatively scheduled at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, serves as a vital preparatory step for both teams ahead of the 2025/26 Concacaf Women’s Qualifiers, which commence next month. While the exact match time remains unconfirmed, the encounter promises to be a significant test for both sides. Notably absent from the Jamaican squad is Manchester City star Khadija Shaw, who is expected to rejoin the team for the qualifiers. However, the squad boasts a strong contingent of foreign-based players from leagues in Canada, England, Portugal, Turkey, and the United States. Coach Hubert Busby announced the team during a press conference on October 16 and revealed plans for a training camp in Trinidad and Tobago from October 23 to 29. On the opposing side, Trinidad and Tobago’s women’s team, under the guidance of newly appointed coach Angus Eve, has assembled a 35-member training squad. This group includes seasoned players like goalkeeper Kimika Forbes and midfielder Karyn Forbes, alongside emerging talents such as defender Kaitlyn Darwent and striker Nikita Gosine. The final Trinidad and Tobago squad is set to be announced early next week. Both teams are eyeing the Concacaf Women’s Qualifiers, with Trinidad and Tobago placed in Group F alongside Barbados, El Salvador, and Honduras, while Jamaica will compete in Group B with Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Guyana, and Nicaragua. The qualifiers, spanning three FIFA Women’s international match windows from November 2025 to April 2026, will determine the six group winners who will join Canada and the United States in the Concacaf Women’s Championship. This championship will serve as the qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The Reggae Girlz, who made history by reaching the round of 16 at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, are determined to build on their recent success and secure a spot in these prestigious global events.