Carib Scope

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  • CRICKET WEST INDIES: Kevin Wickham- Honouring his father through his performances on the field

    CRICKET WEST INDIES: Kevin Wickham- Honouring his father through his performances on the field

    For 23-year-old Barbados Pride batsman Kevin Wickham, every stride across the cricket pitch is more than just a routine movement—it is a living tribute to the man who shaped his love for the game, his late father Herbert. Two years after Herbert’s passing, every perfectly timed stroke through the offside and every desperate dive at the boundary is stitched with quiet memory, as Wickham has channeled his grief into purpose, stepping onto the field not just as an athlete, but as a son carrying forward his father’s legacy.

    Just over a week ago, Wickham cemented his place in West Indies regional cricket history by becoming only the third Barbadian to score centuries in both innings of a first-class regional match since 2000, joining elite company with current West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite (who achieved the feat against Guyana in 2015) and former all-rounder Ryan Hinds (who did so against the Leeward Islands in 2006). Facing Jamaica Scorpions’ bowling attack, the stylish right-hander delivered a dominant first-innings knock of 153, decorated with six fours and 12 towering sixes, before following up with an unbroken sparkling 108 in the second innings—marking a career-defining performance that followed a prolonged period of personal and professional struggle.

    In a post-match reflection, Wickham opened up about the hardest stretch of his young career, which came immediately after his father’s death. He was in Jamaica when he received news of Herbert’s declining health, and rushed home to be with his family. After returning to the pitch following the funeral, he struggled enormously with his form, as the loss hit him far harder mentally than it ever could physically. “The guys showed me a lot of support because it was more mental than physical, and having their support kept me above ground and helped me maintain high standards and be where I am supposed to be,” he explained.

    Herbert, Wickham recalled, was his earliest and most loyal supporter, following a quiet, old-school routine: he never attended matches in person, but never missed one, tuning in to radio broadcasts to track every run his son scored. “Every time I came home, he could tell me how much I scored, what I should and shouldn’t have done,” Wickham said. “To this day I miss him because I miss having those conversations, and when I’m not doing too well, I try to think back to his advice.” That steady guidance is what carried him through his recent record-breaking knock.

    Both centuries came when his team was in a precarious position, and Wickham stuck to the same mindset his father taught him: protect the wicket, build the innings, and put the team in a strong position. “The first innings century was very special to me because that is now my highest first class score, so that is a very good achievement because I came at the stage where the team was in a bit of trouble, so my aim was to stay at the crease for as long as possible and get a good total for the team,” he said. “The second one I found myself in a similar position where the team was in a bit of trouble, but the mindset was the same: get the team in a good position.”

    Wickham first emerged as one of the Caribbean’s most promising young talents after a standout century against Zimbabwe at the 2022 Under-19 World Cup, but the transition from youth cricket to senior first-class cricket has not been without its challenges. “This phase has been different, a lot tougher in terms of expectations after coming out of Under-19 cricket because I had a few low scores, but coach always told me just to stick to my plans and when the runs are coming stay in decent touch as long as possible because in cricket a player will have more failures than success,” he noted.

    Looking ahead, Wickham has set a clear personal target of scoring three centuries in the ongoing bilateral series, with two already under his belt. To date, he has notched five first-class centuries in just 22 matches, holding a batting average above 40—impressive numbers that mark him as one of the region’s most exciting emerging prospects. For Wickham, though, every run is more than just a statistic: it is a chance to honor the man who started it all, who he knows is still walking alongside him, cheering every knock from beyond the boundary.

  • SVG sink Saint Lucia in women’s football

    SVG sink Saint Lucia in women’s football

    The 2026 CONCACAF Women’s Championship Qualifiers have delivered another disappointing result for the Saint Lucia national women’s football team, who slipped to the bottom of their group after falling to a fourth straight defeat on Saturday, April 18. Hosted at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, the tight contest ended in a 1-0 win for St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), leaving Saint Lucia still scrambling for solutions to reverse their poor run of form.

    The only goal of the match came early, in the 14th minute, after a foul was called against Saint Lucia’s Krysan St. Louis just outside the attacking half. That set piece opportunity fell to 25-year-old SVG midfielder Karesha Iton, a Chatham United central player who stepped up to take the 35-yard attempt. Iton unleashed a powerful, soaring strike that caught Saint Lucia’s goalkeeper completely off guard; the ball bounced just in front of the net before rolling across the goal line. What made the moment even more special for Iton is that it marked her first ever international goal, coming in only her second senior cap for SVG’s national side, the Lady Heat.

    Despite the lopsided final result on the scoreboard, possession statistics told a very different story. Saint Lucia dominated the ball for 58.2% of the match, and outshot SVG 11 attempts to six. However, the hosts struggled with final precision: only five of their 11 shots were on target, and just four came from inside the 18-yard box. St. Louis, Kayla Polius and Kyla Lionel all notched two shots apiece to lead Saint Lucia’s attacking efforts, but none could find the back of the net to equalize.

    For SVG, the three points capped off an impressive late turnaround in their qualifying campaign, closing out their group stage participation with two consecutive wins. They finished third in Group A with a 2-0-2 record, despite conceding 24 goals across their four matches. For Saint Lucia, the defeat extended a miserable run: the side has conceded 18 goals across five qualifying matches, while managing to score only one goal of their own, remaining rooted to the bottom of the group table. Mexico closed out Group A play with a flawless 4-0 record to secure their place at the top of the standings.

  • ACDNY swearing-in ceremony marks new leadership phase in New York

    ACDNY swearing-in ceremony marks new leadership phase in New York

    On April 18, 2026, the Asociación de Cronistas Deportivos de Nueva York (ACDNY) ushered in a transformative new chapter for its work with a formal swearing-in ceremony held in Upper Manhattan, New York. The gathering, hosted at the neighborhood’s Liquid Bar & Restaurant, drew dozens of members of the Dominican-American sports media community for an evening centered on institutional renewal, peer recognition, and reaffirmation of professional dedication.

    Leading the official ceremony was Gabriel Barcácel, the association’s newly sworn-in president. In his remarks, Barcácel outlined the core mission of ACDNY’s incoming leadership: to elevate and strengthen professional standards for sports journalism, while fostering deeper unity among Dominican reporters working across New York and the wider Dominican diaspora in the United States.

    A key highlight of the event was the formal induction of Junior Benjamín Carmona Soto as the association’s newest member. The induction underscored the organization’s steady growth and its intentional focus on nurturing and supporting the next generation of Dominican sports media professionals building their careers in the U.S.

    Beyond welcoming new leadership and talent, the ceremony paid tribute to the trailblazers who built Dominican sports journalism over decades. Veteran sports reporters César Rivera and Rafael Herrera were honored with formal awards recognizing their decades-long contributions to the field. The event also included a moving posthumous tribute to Armando Talavera, a revered veteran of sports broadcasting, with Talavera’s family in attendance to honor his enduring legacy in the industry.

    Organizers used the occasion to reaffirm ACDNY’s deep historical roots and connection to the global community of Dominican sports journalists. The association maintains longstanding ties to the Asociación de Cronistas Deportivos de Santo Domingo, the pioneering Dominican organization founded in 1929. Both groups share a core commitment to upholding ethical journalism practices and advancing the professional development of their members. The original historic emblem carrying the Latin motto “Mens Sana in Corpore Sano” (a healthy mind in a healthy body) was prominently displayed throughout the ceremony, serving as a symbol of the continuity of shared values and unwavering commitment to excellence in sports reporting.

    Today, ACDNY has solidified its position as a leading, influential voice for Dominican sports media across the United States. The organization remains dedicated to advancing the careers of its members, upholding rigorous ethical standards, and supporting responsible, high-quality journalism within New York’s large and vibrant Dominican community.

  • Peter Higgins appointed to Professional Football Jamaica Limited finance committee

    Peter Higgins appointed to Professional Football Jamaica Limited finance committee

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL), the governing body for Jamaica’s top-tier football league, has strengthened its leadership framework with two strategic appointments to its finance committee, announcing a shake-up designed to embed stronger governance, tighter financial discipline, and more robust strategic oversight across the organisation.

    The role of finance committee chair will now be filled by Peter Higgins, a senior leader at Jamaica’s National Commercial Bank (NCB) who brings more than 30 years of hands-on experience across the Caribbean financial services sector. In an official statement released Monday, PFJL highlighted Higgins’ deep expertise in corporate finance, enterprise risk management, and long-term strategic planning, noting that his seasoned perspective will be instrumental as the organisation adapts to the rapidly shifting commercial landscape of modern professional football.

    Joining Higgins on the committee is Andrew Thomas, a certified chartered accountant and sitting PFJL board director. Thomas brings a complementary skill set focused on financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and internal organisational governance. His unique dual position as both a finance specialist and a sitting board member means he is well-placed to deliver meaningful input during committee deliberations and support the effective delivery of the body’s core mandates, PFJL said.

    These new appointments come at a critical juncture for PFJL, which is currently focused on overhauling its core financial structures, boosting end-to-end operational efficiency, and locking in long-term organisational sustainability across all of its programs and operations.

    Donovan White, PFJL’s interim chairman, emphasized that the board moved quickly to fill these roles to align with the organisation’s immediate and medium-term strategic priorities. “When we assessed our needs, the board moved urgently to put in place solid guidance for a range of critical near-term objectives,” White explained. “Our top priority was ensuring we had the right leadership and expert insight to steer our financial decision-making through this key period of growth for the league.”

    White added that strengthening internal governance frameworks remains a central pillar of PFJL’s entire long-term strategy, particularly as the league works to expand its commercial reach and deepen engagement with stakeholders across Jamaica and global markets.

    Beyond leadership changes, PFJL chief executive Owen Hill also shared key details for the upcoming 2025 JPL postseason, confirming fixed dates and venues for what he framed as a highly anticipated playoff tournament. “This year’s playoffs will kick off on May 6, with the championship final scheduled for May 24,” Hill announced. “All matches will be held on Wednesdays and Sundays at the iconic National Stadium, giving fans a consistent, easy-to-follow schedule that works for supporters across the country. We’re expecting a fiercely competitive playoff series that showcases the very best talent Jamaican football has to offer.”

    Hill also outlined the league’s ongoing work to expand digital access and improve the fan experience for local and international supporters alike. All playoff matches will be available via subscription to JPLTV, the league’s official streaming platform hosted on YouTube, giving Jamaican football fans based at home and around the world the chance to watch every minute of the postseason action. “This platform lets us build closer connections with our global community of JPL supporters,” Hill added.

  • New E-class sloop ‘Catherine’ christened for all-girl crew

    New E-class sloop ‘Catherine’ christened for all-girl crew

    In a traditional maritime ceremony steeped in centuries of sailing history, British High Commissioner to The Bahamas Smita Rossetti has officially launched a new E-class sailing sloop, Catherine, at Nassau Yacht Club over the weekend. Following longstanding custom, Rossetti broke a bottle of champagne across the vessel’s bow to mark its entry into service, capping off a public christening event that also brought the top diplomat together with emerging young Bahamian sailors and their coaching staff.

    Catherine is the first of two purpose-built sloops created through a collaborative initiative between the British High Commission and the Bahamas National Sailing School, designed exclusively to expand access to sailing for the country’s youth. The second vessel, named Independence, will join Catherine in serving young Bahamian competitors for years to come.

    The launch of Catherine comes just one day ahead of the start of the much-anticipated annual Exuma regatta, where the new sloop will make its competitive debut under an entirely female crew. The event organizers note the project doubles down on efforts to celebrate and sustain The Bahamas’ deep-rooted maritime and sailing heritage, which relies on passing skills and passion to the next generation of seafarers.

    The sloop draws its name from Catherine, Princess of Wales, an experienced sailor who has maintained a lifelong connection to the sport. Princess Catherine grew up sailing and often integrates the activity into her public and charitable royal engagements. Most notably, she and Prince William went head-to-head in a charity race during the 2022 Bahamas Platinum Jubilee Regatta during their royal tour of the country.

    Sailing holds unique cultural status in The Bahamas, after being formally designated the country’s national sport in 2023. Speaking at Saturday’s ceremony, Rossetti emphasized the shared commitment between the UK and local partners to growing youth participation in the iconic pastime.

    “Through this partnership between the UK and the Bahamas National Sailing School, we want to encourage more young Bahamians to get onto the water and try their hand at sailing,” Rossetti said. “It’s a sport that is about teamwork, resilience and perseverance – skills that are so valuable in life whatever you go onto do.”

    She added that the project team was particularly proud to see an all-girl crew take the helm of Catherine for its first competitive outing at the Exuma Regatta.

    The British High Commission is currently open to inquiries from individuals and organizations interested in supporting the expansion of the youth sailing partnership. Interested parties can reach the initiative’s team via email at ukinthebahamas@fcdo.gov.uk.

  • Levell, Thompson-Herah star at Velocity Fest

    Levell, Thompson-Herah star at Velocity Fest

    Jamaica’s National Stadium played host to a thrilling edition of Velocity Fest 19 on Sunday, where emerging talents and seasoned Olympic champions delivered a day of electric sprinting action and unexpected upsets that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.

    The men’s 100m delivered one of the standout performances of the entire event, rising star Bryan Levell cementing his status as one of the world’s top sprinters with a blistering 9.90-second finish (+1.3 m/s wind assistance). Fresh off his bronze medal win in the 200m at the 2025 World Championships, Levell outpaced Sprintec’s Kadrian Goldson, who crossed the line second in a 9.99s personal best. Levell’s result marks the second-fastest men’s 100m time globally this season, trailing only Botswana’s Busang Kebinatshipi’s 9.89s, while Goldson’s effort slots him into seventh place on the year’s world rankings.

    In the women’s 100m, double Olympic gold medalist Elaine Thompson-Herah turned heads even before the final, clocking an impressive 10.92s (+0.8 m/s) in the qualifying heat to secure the top seed for the final. However, the Jamaican star later withdrew from the championship round, opening the door for Dynamic Speed’s Lavanya Williams to take the title in a personal best 10.96s (+0.7 m/s). MVP’s Jonielle Smith closed hard to claim second in a time that matched her own personal best of 10.99s, with Sprintec’s Jodean Williams rounding out the podium in 11.09s. Thompson-Herah still holds third place on the women’s 100m world rankings this year, and the event highlighted Jamaica’s unprecedented depth in the discipline: six of the top 10 fastest women’s 100m times this season belong to Jamaican sprinters, with Williams fourth, Shanoya Douglas fifth, Smith seventh, and Jodean Williams 10th.

    The most shocking upset of the day came in the men’s 200m, a race stacked with elite World Championship medalists. The field featured 2025 100m World champion Oblique Seville, 2023 400m World champion Antonio Watson, and 60m Indoor bronze medalist Ackeem Blake—all widely expected to dominate the podium. But it was relative unknown Adrian Kerr who stole the show, crossing the line first in 20.28s (+0.4 m/s) to take the win. Seville, who appeared out of peak racing shape, finished second in 20.43s, with Blake holding on for third in 20.58s, while Watson crossed fourth in 20.82s. Kerr’s winning time moves him into 18th place on the global 200m rankings for the season, announcing his arrival as a new contender to watch.

    Trinidad and Tobago’s Shaniqua Bascombe, competing for Uptimum Track Club, claimed the women’s 200m title in a personal best 22.68s, upsetting a talented trio of young Jamaican stars: Alana Reid (22.89s), Tina Clayton (23.02s), and Tia Clayton (23.04s), all of whom notched personal best times in the race. Top sprint hurdler Ackera Nugent finished fifth in 23.91s.

    In other track events, Deandre Watkins of Elite Track Club took the men’s 400m title in 45.50s, beating Racers’ Jeremy Bembridge (45.63s) to the line. In the women’s 400m, MVP’s Shericka Jackson, a multiple World Championship medalist, was upset by her clubmate Sada Williams of Barbados, who won in 51.38s. Jackson crossed second in 52.55s, with Sprintec’s Shiann Salmon taking third in 52.77s. High school standout Dejour Russell continued his successful comeback from injury, winning the men’s 110m hurdles in 13.53s (+0.8 m/s), while Racers’ Alexi James claimed the women’s 100m hurdles title in 12.94s.

    In field events, Shawn-D Thompson of Sprintec won the men’s long jump with a 7.78m leap, while UTech’s Canniga Powell took the women’s long jump title with a 5.68m mark. Tio-Josh Mowatt of Explosive Movement claimed the men’s shot put with a 15.29m throw, and UTech’s Altonique James won the women’s shot put with a 13.00m effort. MVP’s Samantha Hall broke the event’s meet record in the women’s discus with a 64.00m throw, adding to her already impressive season: her 66.39m throw at the Throw Town meet in the U.S. earlier this season slots her into seventh place in the global discus rankings.

  • Mount Pleasant FA secure spot in JPL play-offs

    Mount Pleasant FA secure spot in JPL play-offs

    In an action-packed Sunday of Jamaica Premier League fixtures across the island, Mount Pleasant Football Academy delivered a stunning second-half comeback to clinch a 2-2 draw against Treasure Beach and lock in their spot as the second team to qualify for the upcoming play-offs. The match, held at Saint Elizabeth Technical High School’s (STETHS) Sports Complex in Santa Cruz, saw the underdog Treasure Beach hold a commanding two-goal lead for much of the contest, before the league’s top contenders fought back in the final 20 minutes to claim the vital point they needed.

    Jhanni Flemmings put Treasure Beach on the scoreboard first in the 32nd minute, and Daniel Hardy doubled their advantage in the 69th minute, leaving Mount Pleasant on the brink of a defeat that would have delayed their playoff qualification. But substitute Cristojaye Daley changed the trajectory of the game just three minutes after Hardy’s goal, cutting the deficit to 2-1 for the visiting side. In the 86th minute, Raheem Edwards netted the equalizer — his 18th goal of an already standout 2023-24 season — to salvage the draw and push Mount Pleasant to 62 points overall. Sunday’s result marks the third drawn match between these two sides across the current campaign, following a 1-1 midweek draw for Mount Pleasant against Harbour View earlier in the week.

    League leaders Montego Bay United (MBU) held onto their top position with a dominant 4-1 victory over Racing United at Jarrett Park, extending their lead at the top of the table to six points with 68 points accumulated so far. MBU got off to a blistering start, opening up a two-goal lead inside the opening 25 minutes through strikes from Richardo Ramsey and Deonjay Brown. Timar Lewis made it 3-0 before halftime in the 36th minute, and Deverow McKenzie added a fourth just after the hour mark in the 54th. Former MBU forward Odane Nish grabbed a late consolation goal for Racing United in stoppage time, but the result did little to lift Racing, whose winless streak stretched to eight matches, dropping them two spots in the league standings following the defeat. The victory also marked MBU’s 20th win of the league season, cementing their status as the team to beat heading into the play-offs.

    Elsewhere across the weekend, Portmore United climbed one spot into third place in the table, moving to 59 points after a 2-0 away win over Chapelton Maroons at Turners Oval. Portmore got off to an early dream start when a Chapelton defender turned the ball into his own net in the 10th minute, and Ronaldo Robinson secured all three points with a late strike in the 87th minute. Waterhouse FC sit just behind Portmore in fourth place, also on 59 points, after a hard-fought 1-0 away win over Harbour View. Ky-mani Campbell netted the decisive goal in stoppage time to give Waterhouse the full three points.

    At Tivoli Gardens’ home ground, the side earned a 2-0 shutout victory over Dunbeholden FC, with both goals coming in the final 10 minutes of play. An 80th-minute own goal put Tivoli ahead, and Mickel Graham doubled the lead in stoppage time to seal the win. In the day’s relegation-battle clash, Molynes United pulled off a critical 3-0 shutout win over Arnett Gardens, enough to lift them out of the relegation zone. Nicholas Nelson scored a first-half brace, finding the back of the net in the 24th and 35th minutes, before Dhumar McLauglin added a third goal in the 71st minute to cap off the dominant win.

    Full Sunday Match Results:
    Treasure Beach 2, Mount Pleasant FA 2
    Tivoli Gardens 2, Dunbeholden FC 0
    Montego Bay United 4, Racing United 1
    Harbour View 0, Waterhouse FC 1
    Chapelton Maroons 0, Portmore United 2
    Molynes United 3, Arnett Gardens 0
    Reporting by Paul A. Reid

  • RUNS LIKE RAIN!

    RUNS LIKE RAIN!

    As the West Indies Championship four-day cricket clash at Kingston’s Sabina Park moves into its second day, Jamaica Scorpions opening batsman Kirk McKenzie has called on his side to maintain their blistering opening momentum when they resume their first innings against Barbados Pride.

    When rain cut short Sunday’s opening day of play, the Scorpions posted a commanding total of 358 runs for the loss of four wickets. Batsmen Brad Barnes (34 not out) and Romaine Morris (9 not out) will return to the crease to continue the innings on day two. Barbados Pride’s bowling attack was led by fast bowler Johann Layne, who claimed two key wickets, while spinner Jomel Warrican and paceman Jair McAllister each picked up one wicket apiece.

    The day was defined by a stellar batting performance from the Scorpions, anchored by a brilliant century from McKenzie, and supported by half-centuries from captain John Campbell and Javelle Glenn. This marked the third consecutive match in which Jamaica has crossed the 300-run threshold against Barbados Pride, following totals of 342 and 326 for three in a victory at Chedwin Park just one week prior. Reaching the 350-run milestone also earned the Scorpions three valuable bonus points ahead of day two.

    Despite the team’s strong position heading into the next day, the 25-year-old McKenzie warned against complacency, emphasizing that the side must push on to extend their lead further. “I think we’re in a very good position. We can’t get complacent, we can’t take it lightly, because it’s a very good wicket to bat on so it’s just for us to come tomorrow morning and really lock in again and put on as many runs as possible,” McKenzie said in a post-day interview.

    McKenzie’s 114-run innings, off 146 deliveries that included 17 fours and one six, marked his fourth first-class century and his second consecutive century in just three days. Earlier in the bilateral series, he scored an unbeaten 135 in the opening match. Campbell, his opening partner, fell just four runs short of a century, finishing on 96 from 111 balls with 12 fours and two sixes, when he was caught by Shamar Springer off a Layne delivery while attempting to hit the boundary that would have brought up his milestone.

    The opening pair shared a massive 200-run stand, following their 242-run second-innings partnership from last week’s match. McKenzie credited his recent run of form to the steady guidance of captain Campbell and the relentless technical work of the team’s coaching staff. “I started slowly again, like last innings. It was for me to continue my form and continue my processes. It’s really good scoring back-to-back centuries, scoring on my home ground as well, so I really enjoyed that,” he said. “He [Campbell] is very calm; very calm presence and he kind of just guides me through my innings. The coaches have been doing a lot of hard work behind the scenes, a lot of technical work, so I’ll give credit to the coaches.”

    After winning the pre-match toss, Scorpions captain Campbell elected to bat first and his decision was immediately rewarded with the team’s dominant opening stand. Shortly after Campbell’s dismissal, Layne struck again to remove Carlos Brown, who was caught at slip by Kyle Mayers for six runs. Soon after bringing up his century, McKenzie fell attempting to hit a boundary, caught by Warrican off McAllister’s bowling, leaving the Scorpions at 258 for three. Glenn stepped up in the following overs, hitting an unbeaten 65 before stumps, including six fours and three sixes, to help build the team’s already imposing lead.

  • CRICKET WEST INDIES: West Indies Championship round 2 preview

    CRICKET WEST INDIES: West Indies Championship round 2 preview

    As the West Indies Championship heads into its second round of matches, Trinidad & Tobago Red Force holds a razor-thin 0.6-point advantage over second-placed Jamaica Scorpions after a thrilling opening round of the regional cricket competition. Chasing their first title in two decades, Red Force delivered a dominant statement in their opening fixture, crushing Leeward Islands Hurricanes by an innings and 271 runs at Coolidge Cricket Ground to pocket 22.6 total points, six of which came from bonus points. Just behind Red Force on the leaderboard, Jamaica Scorpions sit at 22 points after a dramatic final-day run chase against Barbados Pride, while defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles round out the top three with 21.4 points.

    Red Force has opted to keep its full squad unchanged for its upcoming second-round clash, but captain Joshua Da Silva is pushing his side to lift their intensity and sharpen their edge heading into the match at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. Da Silva noted areas for improvement following the opening win, pointing out dropped catches that need to be addressed in the field. While he expressed satisfaction with the early performance of the team’s opening batters, who have bounced back from inconsistent opening partnership struggles last year, Da Silva called on the pair to extend their good form into the next fixture.

    For the Leeward Islands Hurricanes, who suffered the lopsided opening round defeat, the squad has made two adjustments: Kofi James and Carlon Bowen-Tuckett will step in to replace Nathan Edward and Daniel Doram respectively. Head coach Steve Liburd says his side’s sole focus right now is bouncing back to secure a win and keep their playoff hopes alive. “It is a three-match series, and we are looking to bounce back and win the game. On reflection we had very good conversations with the players in our different groups about finding different ways we can come back into the series,” Liburd explained.

    In Kingston, Jamaica Scorpions are riding high after securing their first victory over Barbados Pride in 10 years, and the side is keen to carry that winning momentum into their home fixture at Sabina Park. Barbados Pride, meanwhile, has shored up its batting order ahead of the rematch, with West Indies Test captain Roston Chase — who has notched 11 centuries at this level of competition — returning to the squad to replace Shian Brathwaite. Barbados head coach Vasbert Drakes acknowledged Jamaica’s standout performance in the last round, where the Scorpions read pitch conditions perfectly to pull off a successful fourth-innings chase, but he says his side has learned from the defeat and is hungry for redemption. “It is a totally different wicket at Sabina Park and totally different environment, and I think everyone will be on a level playing field,” Drakes noted.

    The third second-round fixture sees defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles face Windward Islands Volcanoes at the historic Antigua Recreation Ground, a venue hosting its first regional cricket match since 2009. The Harpy Eagles, who are chasing a fourth consecutive championship title, have welcomed fast bowler Shamar Joseph back into their squad as they target back-to-back wins to open the tournament. Captain Tevin Imlach says the side’s strong late performance in their opening fixture has given them momentum heading into the match, even though the Antigua Recreation Ground pitch is expected to be flatter than their previous venue. Imlach emphasized the need for batters to step up and for the fielding unit to cut down on missed chances after several dropped catches in the opening game.

    Windward Islands Volcanoes have made one squad change for the clash, with Johann Jeremiah replacing Teddy Bishop. Head coach Kenroy Peters acknowledged that Guyana enters the fixture as the favored side, having dominated the regional competition in recent years, but he pointed out that his side had strong patches in their opening defeat that they can build on. “We all know Guyana might be the better the team in this format but despite losing, we still had periods where we did well, but we failed to capitalize and maintain pressure for longer periods,” Peters said. “This time around we are looking to correct areas where we are dominating to stay on top, and if things are not going our way, we need to be patient and have better execution while sticking to our plans.”

    All three second-round matches are scheduled to get underway at 10 a.m. local time at their respective venues.

  • Commonwealth Sport to kick off regional engagement with board meeting in Barbados,

    Commonwealth Sport to kick off regional engagement with board meeting in Barbados,

    In a move that redefines how a global sports organization engages with its member communities, the Commonwealth Sport Executive Board is set to travel to Barbados next week as the latest stop on its itinerant meeting program. This initiative, designed to move away from the tradition of hosting all key governance gatherings at a single fixed headquarters, aims to deepen connections between the organization’s leadership and stakeholders across the diverse 56-nation Commonwealth bloc.

    According to an official press release from Commonwealth Sport, the upcoming Barbados visit is a core component of the organization’s ‘Board on the Road’ strategy. The agenda balances formal strategic governance sessions with targeted outreach: board members will hold working discussions with Barbadian government officials, participate in immersive cultural experiences, and cap the visit with a public showcase of Road Tennis, the Caribbean island’s homegrown grassroots sport that has grown in popularity across the region.

    Once the formal sessions in Barbados conclude, Commonwealth Sport President Dr. Donald Rukare will lead a smaller delegation on a follow-up visit to Antigua and Barbuda. During that leg of the trip, the delegation will meet with senior national government leaders and representatives from local Commonwealth Games Associations. The visit is specifically tailored to lay preliminary groundwork for the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), scheduled to take place in the region this coming November.

    Dr. Rukare emphasized that the traveling meeting model is central to Commonwealth Sport’s identity as a truly global, member-centric organization. ‘Taking our Board meetings on the road is an essential part of who we are as a truly global sports organization,’ he explained. ‘It allows us to connect directly with our members, understand local contexts and challenges, and build the relationships that are vital to delivering meaningful impact through sport.’

    He added that the Caribbean stop carries particular strategic and cultural weight. ‘By meeting in Barbados, we are not only advancing our strategic work, but also strengthening our partnership with the Caribbean region. Celebrating cultural and indigenous sports, such as Road Tennis, is a vital part of the Commonwealth Sport Movement, recognizing the unique sporting traditions that bring communities together and define our shared identity.’

    Sandra Osborne, Vice-President of Commonwealth Sport and a representative of the host nation, echoed that enthusiasm, noting that Barbados views hosting the executive board as a significant privilege. ‘It is a great honour for Barbados to host the Commonwealth Sport Executive Board and to welcome colleagues from across the Commonwealth to our island,’ Osborne said. ‘This visit is an opportunity to showcase not only our strong sporting culture, but also the richness of our heritage, which reflects the creativity, resilience and community spirit that defines our nation. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone, sharing a bit of what makes Barbados special, and giving them a real sense of how important sport is to everyday life here.’