分类： sports

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The International Cricket Council’s latest Test batting rankings reveal a concerning development for West Indies cricket, with no regional batsman currently positioned within the top 50 globally. This represents a significant setback for the Caribbean team following their recent Test series against New Zealand.

Shai Hope, previously the sole West Indian representative in the elite batting tier, has experienced a substantial decline, dropping 11 positions to 60th place. This demotion occurred despite Hope compiling 255 runs at a respectable average of 42.50 during the series, while battling health complications including an eye infection during the second Test and food poisoning in the final match.

The rankings scenario appears particularly puzzling for Justin Greaves, the series’ top scorer with 283 runs at an average of 56.60, including an unbeaten double-century in the second Test. Despite these performances, Greaves fell one place to 62nd position. Former captain Kraigg Brathwaite, who last represented the West Indies in July against Australia, now occupies the 65th spot.

Several players did achieve notable rankings progressions. Kavem Hodge surged 11 places to 66th following his unbeaten 123 in the third Test’s first innings, while Brandon King made the most dramatic ascent, jumping 27 positions to 73rd after replacing injured opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul and recording half-centuries in both innings of the final Test.

The bowling rankings presented a similarly challenging picture. Veteran pace bowler Kemar Roach, who had climbed to 18th after an impressive opening Test performance, dropped two places to 20th. He remains one position ahead of injured sensation Shamar Joseph, who missed the series. Jayden Seales slipped one spot to 25th, while Alzarri Joseph and spinner Jomel Warrican maintained their positions at 31st and 32nd respectively. Gudakesh Motie remained stationary at 65th, and Roston Chase declined nine places to 67th. Justin Greaves provided the sole positive movement among bowlers, advancing 12 places to 80th position.

Veteran Jamaican international Michail Antonio is on the verge of reigniting his professional career with a potential move to English Championship side Leicester City. The 35-year-old striker, currently training with the Foxes as a free agent, could sign a short-term contract that would bolster both club and country ambitions.

Antonio’s journey back to competitive football follows a harrowing car accident in December that resulted in a broken leg, compounded by a calf injury that disrupted his national team participation. After a decade-long tenure with West Ham United that yielded 83 goals and 43 assists in 323 appearances, the powerful forward has been without a club since June.

The potential signing comes at a critical juncture for both player and club. Leicester, relegated from the Premier League last season, sits 13th in the Championship and seeks offensive reinforcement with their current strike force managing just five combined goals in 22 matches. Manager Marti Cifuentes expressed optimism about Antonio’s trial, noting: ‘He’s been looking good in training and possesses experience that could benefit the team. While match fitness requires time, his strengths align with our needs.’

For Antonio, club football represents the pathway to international redemption. The Reggae Boyz face crucial inter-confederation play-offs in March 2026 after failing to secure automatic World Cup qualification. Antonio has openly declared his ambition to help Jamaica reach their first World Cup since 1998, stating: ‘We’re now six games away from being qualified, and these matches are very doable for us.’

Interim Jamaica head coach Rudolph Speid has emphasized selecting active players, making Antonio’s potential signing with Leicester particularly significant. The striker would join international teammate Bobby Reid at the club, potentially creating valuable synergy for the national team.

Both parties indicate mutual interest in finalizing a deal before the new year, which would mark Antonio’s return to competitive football exactly one year after his last Premier League appearance—ironically, against Leicester in West Ham’s 1-3 defeat on December 3, 2024.

Caymanas Park witnessed a spectacular display of equine prowess on Friday as the two-year-old chestnut colt We Jammin, under jockey Omar Walker, delivered a commanding performance to seize the prestigious $4-million Wayne DaCosta OD Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes. Trained by Peter-John Parsard, the colt executed a strategic race, biding his time within the pack before unleashing a devastating late surge in the final stretch. We Jammin covered the one-mile distance in a swift 1:42.2, ultimately crossing the finish line a formidable six lengths clear of the competition, leaving favorites Salute The Don and Fernando in his wake.

The day’s racing card featured another highlight in the $1.25-million Boxing Day Sprint, an Overnight Allowance event. The Gary Subratie-trained Money Market, piloted by jockey Dane Dawkins, showcased a similar come-from-behind tactic to clinch victory over the six-and-a-half-furlong course. Money Market secured the win ahead of Supremasi with a final time of 1:20.0. This triumph marked a notable double for both trainer Subratie and jockey Dawkins, who had previously combined forces to guide You’re My Sweetie to victory in the day’s fourth race. The action at Caymanas Park is scheduled to resume on Saturday.

Caymanas Park is poised for an electrifying afternoon of thoroughbred racing as the prestigious $2-million Christopher ‘Chris’ Armond Memorial Sprint takes center stage. The featured Graded Stakes event, scheduled as the ninth race on a ten-race card, promises a dramatic contest of speed and strategy over five and a half furlongs (1,100m).

All eyes are on Legacy Isle, the current top-rated contender seeking redemption after consecutive second-place finishes in major events. The American-bred five-year-old demonstrated exceptional capability at this distance with a 1:06.0 victory on June 21. Now under the guidance of champion jockey Raddesh Roman, and having undergone light training specifically for this event, Legacy Isle appears primed for a dominant performance. The bay horse’s impressive resume includes previous triumphs in the Gold Cup (1,400m) and None Such Sprint (1,200m), establishing his credentials as a formidable sprinter.

However, the path to victory remains fiercely contested by three legitimate challengers. Pack Plays presents a significant threat, having previously secured a five-and-a-half-furlong victory in 1:06.4 on August 1. The combination of his rejuvenated form at shorter distances and the experienced handling of jockey Dane Nelson, renowned for major race successes, makes him a dangerous competitor.

The enigmatic Dothraki introduces an element of unpredictability to the event. His spectacular debut on October 19 produced a stunning 1:05.4 finish at this distance, immediately marking him as a horse of exceptional potential. Despite inconsistent subsequent performances, his raw speed capabilities cannot be discounted, leaving open the possibility of a breakthrough performance.

Completing the elite contender circle is Desert of Malibu, who brings both impressive pedigree and recent competitive form. Her strong third-place finish on December 6, just 2½ lengths behind the winner, demonstrates her ability to compete at the highest level. The shortened sprint distance appears ideally suited to her racing style, positioning her as a legitimate threat for the championship.

The stage is set for a 4:30 pm post time showdown that will test both equine athleticism and jockey strategy, offering racing enthusiasts a memorable display of top-tier sprint competition.

Caymanas Park becomes the epicenter of Jamaican horse racing excitement today as twelve promising two-year-old thoroughbreds compete in the prestigious Wayne daCosta Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes. The one-mile (1,600m) Futurity event features a substantial $4-million purse, creating intense anticipation among racing enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Leading the field as the probable favorite is Salute The Don, a chestnut colt demonstrating exceptional form in recent performances. With one victory and a strong second-place finish behind the highly-talented Sir Don in two starts this season, this offspring of Aveenu Malcainu and Abicadabby has trained impressively leading up to today’s event. His previous performance, finishing 13¾ lengths behind Sir Don over 7 furlongs on November 29, demonstrates the caliber of competition he has faced.

Several contenders emerge as potential challengers for the top prize. Tia Maria, a chestnut filly, has shown remarkable improvement by securing her maiden victory in her fourth attempt, covering 6 furlongs in 1:16.2. Her current sharpness in exercise suggests she could pose a significant threat at this ideal distance.

Fernando represents another serious competitor, having previously finished third behind both Sir Don and Salute The Don. The chestnut colt has trained exceptionally well and benefits from the expertise of jockey Dane Nelson, potentially enabling him to overcome the favorite’s advantage.

Fidelity, a bay gelding, cannot be overlooked after his record-breaking performance on October 25, where he covered 4½ furlongs in 53.0 seconds. His strong training regimen leading to this event indicates he remains in peak condition.

The field also includes Midnight Traveller, London Spirit, We Jammin, God’s Plan, Senor Biscotti, Bigger Boss, Prosperity Sen, and Darwin, each bringing unique racing equipment and strategies to the competition. Various horses will compete with first-time Lasix administration, tongue-ties, blinkers, and figure-8 equipment, adding strategic dimensions to this high-stakes juvenile event.

The Jamaican horse racing scene stands poised to witness historic breaking of a nearly five-decade record as prominent owner Carlton Watson equals Cecil Charlton’s legendary 1977 benchmark of 43 winners in a single racing season. The pivotal moment arrived on December 20, 2025, when Watson’s thoroughbred Hit N Run, skillfully guided by jockey Tevin Foster, surged to victory in the opening event at Caymanas Park.

The Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) has officially announced the rescheduled date for the prestigious Olivier Shield championship match. The decisive clash between St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and Excelsior High will now determine Jamaica’s supreme schoolboy football team on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

ISSA President Keith Wellington confirmed that while the venue remains undecided, the match will be held at either the National Stadium or the adjacent Stadium East field. This scheduling change became necessary due to extensive disruptions caused by Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island on October 28 and forced a month-long postponement of the football season. The championship was originally slated for December 13, 2025.

The Olivier Shield represents one of Jamaica’s most historic sporting traditions, established in 1909 through the donation of Sir Sydney Haldane Olivier (later Lord Olivier), who served as Governor of Jamaica from 1907 to 1913. The competition was created to crown supremacy between urban Manning Cup champions and rural daCosta Cup winners, creating a unique inter-school rivalry that has endured for over a century.

Jamaica College holds the record with 22 titles, claiming the inaugural championship in 1909 and their most recent in 2017. Munro College follows with 17 titles, though their last victory dates back 74 years to 1951. St George’s College maintains third position with 13 championships, while Cornwall College and Kingston College are tied with 11 titles each.

Current title holders Kingston College secured the 2024 championship through a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout victory against Garvey Maceo. The competition format has evolved from allowing shared titles in drawn two-legged ties to the current winner-takes-all approach decided by penalties if necessary.

STETHS enters the final seeking their second all-island title, having previously triumphed in 1999 alongside their six daCosta Cup victories. Excelsior High aims for their third Olivier Shield, having shared the title with Rusea’s High in 1993 before claiming an outright victory in 2003.