Sports

BRATHWAITE QUITS WEST INDIES TEAM

Article by David Harris

Kraigg Brathwaite has stepped down as the captain of the West Indies Test team, his resignation was announced yesterday morning at Cricket West Indies (CWI) quarterly press conference. According to CWI, Brathwaite indicated his intention to step down from the captaincy at the end of the West Indies tour to Pakistan earlier this year.

The right-handed opening batsman has bow out three months ahead of the West Indies’ next assignment; a three-match Test series against Australia which bowls off at Kensington Oval on June,25. This series marks the beginning of a new International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Championship cycle, Brathwaite will play his 100^th Test match during the series.

Brathwaite, 32, was appointed captain in March, 2021; during his tenure the West Indies defeated Bangladesh 2-0 in tough conditions during the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Asian continent, were victorious against England at home in 2022, secured a thrill win on Australian soil for the first time in 27 years in 2024.

Earlier this year, Brathwaite captained the West Indies to a landmark victory in Pakistan levelling the two-match Test series with a victory that ended a 34-year drought in that country. He the West Indies in 39 Tests, winning 10 and losing 22.

CWI expressed its gratitude to Brathwaite for his contribution during for his leadership of the team.

“Kraigg Brathwaite has been an outstanding leader for our Test team, guiding the squad with discipline, resilience, and a deep the game. His contributions have been invaluable, and under his leadership, we have witnessed historic moments that will be remembered for years to come”, director of cricket Miles Bascombe said.

Meanwhile, captain of the One Day International (ODI) side Shai Hope has replaced Rovman Powell as the captain of the T20I team.

CWI the decision to removed Powell from the leadership of the side was taken after advice from head coach Darren Sammy.

Sports

BARBADOS WINS CWI RISING STARS UNDER-19 CHAMPIONSHIP

by David Harris

Defending champions Barbados defeated Guyana by 44 runs to retain their title in Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Under-19 Championship at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua on Wednesday.

Needing to avoid defeat in their fifth and final match of the tournament to clinch the title, the Barbadian lads scored 209 for eight wickets, before bowling out Guyana for 160 in 45.3 overs.

Barbados were wobbling at 71 for four wickets, after winning the toss and opting to bat. Captain Justin Parris made an attractive 38 runs from 40 balls, the left-handed batsman struck five fours, but his dismissal in the sixteenth over left Barbados in a precarious position. Seth Smith (47) and Rajeev Parsooram (21) repaired the early damage with a crucial fifth-wicket partnership of 61 runs, before Parsooram was dismissed by left-arm pacer Brandon Henry.

After Parsooram’s wicket fell; Smith added 40 vital runs for the sixth wicket with Yuvraj Persaud who made 19, Smith’s rearguard inning ended innings ended when he was dismissed by Henry in the 43rd over, the wicketkeeper/ batsman faced 75 balls and counted four boundaries. Asher Brandford 18 and Zarell Harding 15 not out ensured that Barbados posted a total over 200 runs.

Medium pacer Reyaz Laif took three wickets for 34 runs, he was supported by fast bowler Usain Fredericks two wickets for 53 runs,, and Henry who picked up two wickets for 24 runs.

Chasing 210 for victory, Guyana slumped to 55 for five wickets in the 17^th over as the Bajan bowlers took early wickets; but a defiant knock of 50 runs from Henry briefly give the Guyanese hope. Henry faced 88 balls and lead a lower resistance that saw Guyana to 156 for eight wickets before he was bowled by Parsooram. After Henry was dismissed Guyana’s innings ended quickly.

Brandford captured three wickets for 19 runs with his medium pace; he was supported by fellow medium pacers Joshua Thomas and Parsooram with two wickets for 35 runs and 19 runs respectively, while Parris picked up two wickets with his leg-spin.

Sports

JAYDEN WINS GOLD AT CARIFTA GAMES

by David Harris

Jayden Green captured Barbados’ lone gold medal at the 52nd CARIFTA Games which ended at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, in Mucrapo, Trinidad on Monday night. The 17-year-old student of the Christ Church Foundation School won the Under-20 Boys’ 200 metres at the three -day track and field meeting in 20,93 seconds ahead of Jamaicans Tyreece Foreman (20.95) and Junior Galimore (21.01); Green is the first Barbadian to win the event since Mario Burke in 2015.

The rest of team collected five silver and eight bronze medals with several athletes recording personal best. Barbados won 14 medals at the games, their best performance since the 2016 Games in Grenada where they won 20 medals.

Sports

GET READY FOR THE NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES

Calendar lists all the events from May to September 2025

NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES field events will begin on Saturday, May 31, at Queen’s College, Husbands, St. James, while the road races, involving running, cycling, walking, and skating, will take place on Sunday, June 1, on the Mighty Grynner Highway. Monday, June 9, will see the culmination of the track events at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex.