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  • Another Land Scandal Brewing: “That Place Seems to be Riddled with Fraud”

    Another Land Scandal Brewing: “That Place Seems to be Riddled with Fraud”

    A long-running land arrangement between a Belizean family and national authorities has erupted into a fresh public scandal, with an expatriate family member accusing the country’s Lands Department of systemic fraud and breaching decades of agreed terms.

    Geraldine Hyde, who currently resides outside Belize, says her family’s 30-year connection to a 23.56-acre parcel of land near La Democracia along the Coastal Road began in 1993, when her husband Goldburn Sutherland secured a formal lease for the property. For more than a quarter of a century, the family upheld their end of the agreement, investing significant time and resources into maintaining the land: clearing overgrown sections, cultivating fruit orchards, and holding the parcel for their long-term retirement plans.

    When the original lease reached its end in 2022, the couple followed official protocol to submit a formal application to purchase the land outright. Their vision for the property was modest: build a small boutique resort, launch a small-scale sustainable farming operation, and construct limited commercial shopfronts to support their retirement on Belize’s coast. For years after submitting the application, Hyde says the family received repeated reassurances from Lands Department staff that their request was moving through the approval pipeline, with no red flags or indications of denial raised at any point.

    The deception unraveled earlier this year, when Hyde attended an in-person meeting at the department to follow up on her application’s status. It was during this visit that she began to piece together that the property had already been reallocated, a fact that was later confirmed through her own independent investigation: the land had been granted full title to a third party, with no formal notification sent to her family that their purchase application had ever been denied.

    What makes the situation even more alarming, Hyde says, is that internal department records show a purchase price for the land was calculated for her family at one point — but that information was never shared with the couple, leaving them in the dark while the land was transferred to another owner. Through her own research, Hyde obtained the identity of the new title holder, and a quick search of public records revealed that this same individual has been linked to a separate, earlier public land dispute. That connection, she says, has deepened her conviction that intentional misconduct is at play within the department.

    Hyde’s allegations go beyond her own family’s mistreatment: she claims that dozens of other land applicants have reported identical experiences at the Belizean Lands Department, suggesting the problem is not an isolated administrative error but systemic corruption. “Whatever they’re doing there at the Lands Department is fraudulent,” she stated in an interview. “I can tell you how many people were at the lands, maybe 15, 20, and they all have the same issue. That place seems to be riddled with fraud.”

    The family has now drawn a firm line: unless the land is returned to them in line with their application, they will move forward with formal legal action to challenge the reallocation. Hyde adds that she is also considering organizing a public protest to draw attention to the broader pattern of alleged misconduct if authorities do not address the issue. Local outlet News 5 has confirmed that it has reached out to Paul Thompson, Chief Executive Officer at the Lands Department, to request an official comment on the allegations, with no response reported as of yet.

  • Round of 16 matchups confirmed in NSC football competition

    Round of 16 matchups confirmed in NSC football competition

    The group stage of the National Sports Council BICO Primary School football competition has officially wrapped up, with 16 teams securing their spots in the knockout round, headlined by two standout squads that finished their group campaigns without a single defeat.

    Defending tournament champions West Terrace put on a dominant display in Zone Two, completing their six-game run without a loss. The team claimed five victories and held on for one draw to top the zone standings, booking their place in the round of 16 alongside second-place finishers St Stephen’s Primary.

    Another undefeated run came from Arthur Smith Primary, the 2025 tournament runners-up, who topped Zone Seven hosted at Briar Hall. Across nine matches, Arthur Smith won eight and drew one, finishing clear at the top of the zone. They will be joined in the knockout stage by Zone Seven’s second qualifier, Milton Lynch Primary.

    Across all eight zones, the top two finishing teams earned progression to the round of 16, in line with competition rules. From Zone One, All Saints Primary and Roland Edwards Primary claimed the two qualifying spots. In Zone Three, St Bernards and Providence Primary secured their places in the knockout round. Zone Four saw St Cyprian’s Boys’ and St Paul’s advance, while Zone Five finished with St George Primary and Bay Primary taking the top two positions. Zone Six qualifiers are Wesley Hall and Deacons, and Zone Eight wrapped up with Blackman Gollop and Reynold Weekes Primary claiming the two knockout spots.

    All round of 16 fixtures will take place at the Greens St George venue, kicking off this Thursday with four scheduled matches. The opening day of knockout action will see St Cyprian’s Boys’ go head-to-head against Providence, with Bay Primary facing Wesley Hall, All Saints squaring off against Milton Lynch, and Blackman & Gollop battling St Stephen’s Primary.

    Four additional round of 16 matches are set for Friday. Defending champions West Terrace will open their knockout campaign against Reynold Weekes, while 2025 runners-up Arthur Smith will take on St Paul’s. Deacons will face Roland Edwards, and St Bernard’s will round out the day’s play against St George Primary.

  • Misiekaba zet in Genève in op arbeidsbescherming, sociale dialoog en eerlijke digitalisering

    Misiekaba zet in Genève in op arbeidsbescherming, sociale dialoog en eerlijke digitalisering

    The 114th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC), organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), is convening this month in Geneva, bringing together tripartite delegations of government, employer, and worker representatives from the body’s 187 member states to address pressing contemporary challenges in global labor markets. Key topics on the conference’s agenda include securing dignified work for participants in the platform economy, advancing gender equality in workplaces, and strengthening inclusive social dialogue and tripartite consultation.

    Addressing the ILC forum, Suriname’s Minister of Public Health, Welfare and Labour André Misiekaba emphasized that the global shift toward digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) integration in workplaces must be guided by a human-centered approach. He argued that rapid technological evolution cannot come at the cost of social equity or worker protection, noting that people must remain the core priority amid widespread labor market disruption. Minister Misiekaba also highlighted the progressive policy reforms Suriname has implemented in recent months to align its national labor framework with ILO standards.

    Most notably, the Surinamese government recently updated the national Labor Advisory Council Act to expand and strengthen structured tripartite consultation between government bodies, employer associations, and worker unions. The country’s National Assembly has also approved the ratification of three landmark ILO conventions: Conventions No. 155 and No. 187 on occupational safety and health, and Convention No. 190, which addresses violence and sexual harassment in workplaces.

    Minister Misiekaba further outlined ongoing policy initiatives supported by the ILO. A national labor migration policy is currently under development through the ILO’s Decent Work Country Programme, with technical guidance from the organization. In a move to combat child labor, the minister announced that the Surinamese government took formal steps in May 2026 to establish a special commission mandated under Article 16 of the country’s Child Labor Act. This commission will conduct on-the-ground research into the social conditions of children engaged in child labor, and develop evidence-based recommendations for targeted social support and family strengthening interventions.

    On the economic front, Minister Misiekaba underlined that driving innovation and raising productivity are critical preconditions for Suriname to achieve long-term sustainable development. In line with this goal, he noted that public consultations are currently underway to update the Center for Innovation and Productivity (CIP) Act, while the country’s National Social Protection Strategy is being rolled out across relevant government agencies.

    The minister also expressed Suriname’s full support for the development of the world’s first legally binding international labor standards for digital platform workers. These proposed standards, he said, are urgently needed to improve working conditions, expand access to social protection, guarantee fair compensation, and increase transparency across the fast-growing global platform economy, which has outpaced many existing national regulatory frameworks.

    Minister Misiekaba’s address to the ILC reaffirmed Suriname’s ongoing commitment to advancing decent work for all, advancing social justice, and building a resilient, future-ready labor market that can adapt to emerging challenges while protecting vulnerable workers. The Surinamese tripartite delegation in Geneva includes Glenn Piroe, Acting Director of Labor; Kamlesh Ganesh representing the Suriname Employers’ Association (VSB); and Marcia Clumper from Ravaksur/C-47, the country’s national trade union center.

  • Matthews: Fearless Cricket needed at World Cup

    Matthews: Fearless Cricket needed at World Cup

    As the countdown to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup enters its final stretch, West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews has challenged her squad to embrace an aggressive, fearless brand of cricket to compete on cricket’s biggest global stage, drawing on her own experience as part of the region’s 2016 world title-winning side.

    Speaking to reporters at the official pre-tournament captains’ media briefing, Matthews highlighted that the 2025 West Indies roster boasts a strategically balanced mix of seasoned veterans and emerging young talent. She pointed to the invaluable mentorship provided by team mainstays Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin, whose decades of international and World Cup experience give the squad’s rising players a trusted foundation to grow into the high-pressure tournament.

    “What stands out most for our group is how hungry our young players are to learn and improve,” Matthews explained. “Having players like Stafanie and Deandra in the dressing room means the next generation can feed off that experience, learning what it takes to compete at the highest level of World Cup cricket. For us, it all comes down to pulling everything together at the right moment, and delivering when we step onto the pitch.”

    The road to the World Cup has already held an early test for West Indies: the side fell to a 26-run defeat against India in its opening warm-up fixture, and will wrap up its pre-tournament preparation with a final practice match against world-leading Australia on Wednesday. Their official tournament campaign kicks off on June 13 against defending champions New Zealand, a matchup Matthews knows intimately after sharing and competing against many of the Black Caps’ top players in global T20 franchise leagues.

    “Every time we take the field, we come to play our best and compete for the win,” Matthews said. “New Zealand is always a top-tier opponent, packed with world-class match-winners who can turn a game on its head in a few overs. We know we have to work hard to limit the impact of key players like Melie Kerr and Sophie Devine as much as possible. At the end of the day, it’s about executing our game plan as a unit – when we play to our full potential, we believe we can beat any side in the tournament.”

    New Zealand claimed the 2024 World Cup title with a victory over South Africa in the final, and Matthews acknowledged that women’s T20 cricket has transformed dramatically since West Indies lifted the trophy 10 years ago. “The game has grown exponentially in the last decade,” she noted. “Nowadays, to compete at the top level, you have to play without fear. I expect we’ll see a lot of records broken this tournament, and only teams willing to take aggressive, smart risks will come out on top.”

    Matthews also opened up about the game-changing impact of veteran all-rounder Deandra Dottin, who holds the record for the most sixes hit in Women’s World Cup history. Calling Dottin a priceless asset to the West Indies setup, she emphasized the all-rounder’s ability to shift momentum with bat, ball, and in the field.

    “She can change the outcome of a game from anywhere on the pitch – whether she’s batting, bowling, or pulling off a spectacular play in the outfield, you see how electric she can be,” Matthews said. “We’re so lucky to have her in our squad. When Deandra is finding her rhythm at the crease, she’s a dangerous player for any opposition to face.”

    West Indies is drawn in a competitive group that includes not just New Zealand, but also Ireland, Scotland, Sri Lanka, and England. The side will face hosts England at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on June 24, a fixture Matthews says the entire squad is eagerly anticipating.

    “Playing at Lord’s is special any day, but doing it at a World Cup against the home team? It’s going to be a truly monumental occasion,” she said. “We’re incredibly excited for that game. We’ll go in with far less pressure than England will carry as hosts, so our focus is just on enjoying the moment and playing our best cricket.”

  • Dominica unveils preliminary roster for regional FIBA AmeriCup qualifying tournament

    Dominica unveils preliminary roster for regional FIBA AmeriCup qualifying tournament

    The Dominica Amateur Basketball Association (DABA) has taken a major step toward international competition with the announcement of a 21-athlete training pool, where athletes will compete for a limited number of spots on Dominica’s senior men’s national team ahead of next month’s FIBA AmeriCup 2029 Caribbean Pre-Qualifiers.

    Per an official statement released by the governing body, Dominica will participate in the regional tournament, which is scheduled to run from July 8 to 12, 2026, in Georgetown, Guyana. The pre-qualifier will bring together 10 national men’s teams from across the Caribbean region, including tournament hosts Guyana, as well as Bermuda, Haiti, Grenada, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, the Turks and Caicos Islands, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Cayman Islands.

    All 21 players invited to the training camp currently play for local Dominican clubs, and have already begun preparatory workouts as they compete for a place on the final roster that will travel to Guyana for the tournament. Each top domestic club is represented in the training squad: Police Sports sends two athletes, Daniel Ormond and Nathan Sebastien, while PSC Falcons contributes four: Yawani Regis, Karim Daniel, Kijuan Thomas and Ramal Carbon. Thomas Felix earned a selection from Prowlers, and Marigot Sunrise has Ethan Boland in the training pool.

    D-Tread Blazers also landed four spots, with Zack Bastien, Sergi Joseph, Maxwell Birmingham, and Lester Langlais all receiving invites. BAA Sharks matches that total with Kerbin Nanthan, Rene Williams, Jaiden Scotland, and Christian Scotland all making the cut. The 767 Dominators round out the multi-player selections with four picks: Sharmar Felicite, Kelsey Guye, Jacob Barry, and Andel Olivacce. West Coast Ballers contributes the final squad spot to forward Sherron Vidal.

    For DABA, this tournament marks a critical milestone in the organization’s long-term strategy to rebuild Dominica’s standing as a competitive contender within Caribbean regional basketball. Beyond just on-court results, the association also views the pre-qualifier run as a valuable opportunity to reinforce the development pipeline for up-and-coming players, emerging coaches, and new match officials, all of whom will drive the future growth of basketball across the island nation.

  • BWSL Criticised for Cutting Water Over $5 Balances

    BWSL Criticised for Cutting Water Over $5 Balances

    What started as scattered customer frustrations has erupted into public controversy surrounding Belize Water Services Limited (BWSL), with dozens of consumers and a sitting senator condemning the utility’s aggressive policy of cutting running water for unpaid balances as low as just five dollars.

    The wave of public criticism began when affected customers took to social media to share their disruptive, often infuriating experiences with the service cuts. One Belizean household described how their supply was cut off before a pending online payment—for an $8.41 balance—could clear due to routine banking processing delays. With a full family relying on running water at home, the sudden disconnection created immediate daily disruption that could have been easily avoided with a short grace period.

    Another customer recounted her own encounter last week: she was home when technicians arrived to cut service over a $6 unpaid balance, and was stunned to learn that the mandatory reconnection fee was actually larger than the original outstanding debt. The technician on site confirmed to her that the utility was actively disconnecting customers for balances of this size, with no exceptions being made for minor amounts.

    A third social media user added that their cousin had their entire water supply shut off over an unpaid balance of exactly $5, noting that the company had offered no flexibility, grace period, or compassionate adjustment for low-income or household customers facing small accidental shortfalls.

    The controversy moved from social media outrage to official parliamentary discussion last Tuesday, when United Democratic Party Senator Sheena Pitts raised the issue on the Senate floor. Pitts shared her own first-hand experience with the policy: her business, which regularly pays water bills in advance, accumulated a small unnoticeable outstanding balance of just $10.51 over time. Before any notice or grace period, BWSL cut off the firm’s water service. To restore access, Pitts was forced to pay $25 to resolve the balance plus additional fees, and was required to put down a new security deposit on top of the steep reconnection charge.

    Pitts labeled BWSL’s current policy “oppressive”, arguing that the rigid practice of cutting service for such minor balances places unnecessary, disproportionate hardship on working households and small businesses across Belize. Many low-income families, she noted, cannot absorb unexpected reconnection fees that often exceed the original debt, pushing already cash-strapped households into further financial strain.

    Local media outlet News 5 has confirmed that it has reached out to BWSL to request an official statement and explanation of the utility’s policies, but no response from the company has been released publicly as of the June 9, 2026 reporting date.

  • ‘Please Come to Chetumal’: Mexico Ambassador Addresses Safety Fears

    ‘Please Come to Chetumal’: Mexico Ambassador Addresses Safety Fears

    In a public appearance on the popular local talk show *Open Your Eyes* on June 9, 2026, Ana Luisa Vallejo Barba, Mexico’s recently confirmed ambassador to Belize, moved directly to address growing safety concerns that have deterred Belizean travelers from crossing the border into southern Mexico. Opening her appeal to visitors, the ambassador extended a warm invitation: “Please come again to Chetumal. It’s safe, and everybody’s waiting for you.”

    Vallejo Barba acknowledged that security challenges persist in multiple Mexican states, but emphasized that the federal government has implemented sweeping additional security measures specifically focused on the southern border region adjacent to Belize. Widespread anxiety over travel safety in the area stems from a surge in drug cartel activity that intensified dramatically following the high-profile capture of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, the notorious cartel leader widely known as “El Mencho.” Critics have labeled the operation that led to El Mencho’s arrest as poorly planned and destabilizing.

    Pushback against the grim narratives circulating online and in local discourse, the ambassador contended that the actual on-the-ground situation has improved dramatically after the security reinforcement. She argued that sensationalized misinformation has wildly exaggerated the scope of instability, noting that the crisis tied to the El Mencho operation was an isolated, 24-hour event that has long since been contained.

    Beyond addressing travel concerns, Vallejo Barba highlighted the robust bilateral security partnership between Mexico and Belize. The two nations maintain a long-standing cooperation mechanisms, including regular intelligence sharing initiatives, joint training programs to build law enforcement capacity, and scheduled high-level command meetings that take place every six months to coordinate cross-border security efforts.

  • Healthy Caribbean Coalition launches regional campaign to challenge junk food marketing in schools

    Healthy Caribbean Coalition launches regional campaign to challenge junk food marketing in schools

    Against a backdrop of soaring childhood obesity rates that outpace the global average, a new regional public health campaign has kicked off across 11 Caribbean territories, calling on local communities and governments to push back against the growing infiltration of unhealthy food and beverage brand marketing within school campuses. Titled “Make it Make Sense,” the initiative is led by the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) in partnership with three local health and youth advocacy groups: the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB), the Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ), and the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN). Running from May 25 to July 16, 2026, the campaign is being amplified via HCC’s Facebook and Instagram channels, and organizers have opened a public petition for citizens to add their support for banning ultra-processed food (UPF) and beverage marketing from all educational institutions.

    This year’s campaign builds on a years-long series of regional advocacy efforts that have previously targeted the food and beverage industry’s undue influence over public health nutrition policymaking. Unlike earlier initiatives, however, the 2026 iteration narrows its focus to the school environment, shining a light on how seemingly benign corporate activities—from event sponsorships and branded educational programs to in-kind donations—gradually normalize unhealthy product consumption and shape children’s dietary preferences from a young age. Health experts behind the campaign emphasize that while many schools across the region face persistent budget gaps that make corporate support attractive, accepting funding and in-kind donations from UPF manufacturers comes at a steep long-term cost to public health.

    Caribbean nations currently face a public health crisis driven by overconsumption of UPF products, which are typically high in added sugar, sodium, and trans fats. Regional childhood obesity rates now surpass the global average, and public health researchers warn that early adoption of diets heavy in ultra-processed goods puts children at far higher risk of developing preventable noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and multiple forms of cancer earlier in adulthood. HCC President Senator Dr. Kenneth Connell stressed that marketing within schools is uniquely insidious, noting that the same persuasive advertising that influences adult purchasing decisions has an even more profound impact on children, who lack fully developed critical thinking skills to recognize corporate persuasion tactics.

    JYAN Executive Director Shannique Bowden went further, calling these targeted marketing practices predatory. Bowden explained that many UPF companies frame their school partnerships as acts of corporate social responsibility, positioning themselves as helpful community partners stepping in to fill resource gaps that underfunded public schools cannot cover. In reality, she argued, these practices exploit children’s inherent vulnerability to persuasive branding, violate core child rights principles, and directly exacerbate the region’s growing childhood obesity and NCD epidemics.

    HFJ Programme Manager Barbara McGaw acknowledged the real financial constraints many Caribbean schools operate under, but questioned whether accepting support from companies that profit from selling unhealthy products is an acceptable trade-off. McGaw pointed out that the region’s existing National School Nutrition Policy already includes formal recommendations to ban or restrict marketing of high-fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) foods in schools, including bans on sponsorships, grants, and donations from UPF brands. Despite these existing guidelines, HCC notes that enforcement and regulation of corporate marketing in schools remains extremely weak across most CARICOM member states, even as governments publicly commit to building healthier school environments.

    Crucially, campaign organizers stress that schools do not have to choose between unmet budget needs and protecting children’s health. HCC Communications Officer Sheena Warner-Edwards noted that ongoing tracking by the coalition has revealed a growing number of health-neutral and health-promoting businesses are stepping in to fill sponsorship gaps, ranging from large financial institutions like local banks and insurance companies to small, community-focused businesses such as local clothing boutiques and regional radio stations.

    HSFB Chief Executive Officer Greta Yearwood emphasized that the campaign’s focus on schools is particularly timely, given that children spend the majority of their waking hours in educational settings. “What children eat and drink impacts their health outcome as they grow and track into adulthood,” Yearwood said. “If we are serious about protecting children and reducing NCDs, then tactics which encourage the consumption of foods high in fats, sugars and salt, targeting children, cannot be permitted. We need to protect public health policies from interference from vested interests.”

    After decades of unregulated corporate presence in schools, campaign organizers note that unhealthy branding has become so normalized that it often goes unchallenged by parents, educators, and policymakers. Through “Make it Make Sense,” organizers aim to spark widespread public reflection, push for stronger enforcement of existing school nutrition policies, and build public support for new regulations that prioritize children’s long-term health over corporate marketing profits. Members of the public across all 11 participating territories can show their support by signing the campaign’s open online petition.

  • ExxonMobil stacks up almost US$500 million for decommissioning fund

    ExxonMobil stacks up almost US$500 million for decommissioning fund

    On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, ExxonMobil Guyana announced that it has already set aside more than 489 million U.S. dollars (equivalent to 102.8 billion Guyanese dollars) as its proportional contribution to a national decommissioning fund, which will be used to safely retire offshore oil infrastructure and seal depleted production wells once extraction operations conclude in the Stabroek Block. Negotiations over the formal terms and operational structure of this fund are still ongoing between the energy giant’s local subsidiary, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, and the government of Guyana, company officials confirmed during a public media briefing.

    John Colling, ExxonMobil Guyana’s Vice President and Business Services Manager, told reporters that while no firm deadline has been set for concluding negotiations, discussions between the two parties have progressed smoothly and been marked as “very productive” to date. The allocated sum already appears as an “asset retirement obligation” on the company’s 2025 audited financial statement, which was recently filed with Guyana’s Corporate Registry. The total accumulates proportional contributions from three operating years: 2023, 2024, and 2025.

    Colling emphasized that ExxonMobil’s goal is to reach a final agreement that aligns with multiple key priorities. “Ultimately what we’re looking for is a fund that is consistent with the Petroleum Act as well as international best practices, that ultimately provides the financial assurance required by the government of Guyana and is also industry best practice to encourage future investors to continue to do business here in Guyana,” he explained.

    The contribution amount reflects ExxonMobil’s 45 percent ownership stake in the Stabroek Block, the prolific offshore oil development that transformed Guyana into one of the world’s newest major oil producers. The remaining shares are held by two other global energy firms: China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) holds 25 percent, while Chevron controls the 30 percent stake previously owned by Hess Corporation. Per industry norms, all co-owners will contribute to the decommissioning fund proportional to their ownership shares.

    Guyana made history in 2019 when it launched its first ever commercial oil production from the Stabroek Block’s Liza 1 well. Since that first launch, the country’s oil sector has expanded rapidly, drawing billions in foreign investment and reshaping the small South American nation’s economic outlook. Decommissioning planning is a standard regulatory requirement for offshore oil operations, designed to ensure that funds are available to clean up infrastructure and close wells safely at the end of their production lifespans, eliminating future financial and environmental risks for the host government.

  • Rain frustrates West Indies in Jamaica

    Rain frustrates West Indies in Jamaica

    Unrelenting wet weather at Kingston’s Sabina Park delivered a double blow to the West Indies men’s cricket side on Monday, forcing the abandonment of the third and final One Day International against Sri Lanka and confirming the hosts’ first home ODI series defeat in three years.

    Sri Lanka claimed an opening match victory by 41 runs at the same venue to take an unassailable 1-0 lead in the three-match series, after the second fixture was also called off without a single ball being bowled due to rain. The disappointing outcome not only hands Sri Lanka the series win, but also costs the West Indies critical ranking points in their fight for automatic qualification to the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup, which is set to be decided by the March 2027 cut-off date. Only the top nine highest-ranked teams will earn direct entry to the tournament.

    Currently sitting in 10th position in the ICC ODI rankings, the West Indies now face an uphill battle to climb into the top 9 and secure automatic qualification. Speaking after the abandonment of the third ODI, West Indies captain Shai Hope acknowledged the disappointment of the result but struck a reflective, forward-looking tone.

    “We cannot control Mother Nature, and it is just bitterly disappointing that we were not able to get two full completed games of cricket to give ourselves a shot at fighting back into this series,” Hope said. “That said, this result is a reminder of how important it is to make the most of every moment we get on the pitch, because we could never have predicted how this series would play out.”

    Despite the series defeat, Hope emphasized that his side could still draw key positives from the contest, highlighting encouraging performances in patches of the opening match. “I have to give credit to the guys for the parts of the game where they performed well. Our bowlers found their rhythm quickly, particularly in the first power play of the opening game,” he explained. “We have struggled in certain areas over the last couple of years, so it is good to be able to pull out some positives from this first ODI that we can carry forward into the upcoming series against New Zealand.”

    Hope stressed just how important it will be for his side to pick up every available ranking point in the upcoming home ODI series against New Zealand, as the side continues its push for World Cup qualification. “I have said it before and I will keep saying it: every single match counts for us right now. Every game carries huge weight in our ranking fight. I would not go so far as to call it crunch time yet, but we have to approach every fixture like it is our last chance. That does not mean putting unnecessary pressure on the group, but we have to keep learning from every experience we get,” he said.

    Before the ODI series against New Zealand gets underway, Hope and his side will shift their focus to an upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, with the captain eager to turn their recent ODI disappointment into a T20 series win. “We are hungry for a turnaround. We want to end up on the winning side of any series, no matter what format we are playing,” Hope said. “We did not get the result we wanted in this ODI series, but we have gained valuable experience that we can use going forward. Most of our guys came off the recent T20 World Cup with some good results under their belt, even if we did not get the title we wanted. We can lean on that experience, draw on the knowledge we have built as a T20 unit, and put our best foot forward to turn things around and get the win in this series.”