Sports

ECB CALLS FOR A BOYCOTT OF THE CHAMPIONS TROPHY MATCH

by David Harris

The England and Wales Cricket Board, ECB, has called for a unified response to action against Afghanistan amid calls for the England men’s team to boycott next month’s Champions Trophy match between the sides.

England are due to face Afghanistan in Lahore on February 26, but UK politicians want the team to refuse to play the 50-over match and take a stand against the Taliban regime’s assault on women’s rights.

A letter to the ECB, written by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, and signed by the likes of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, and former Labour leaders Jeremy Corbyn and Lord Kinnock, urged England to boycott the match to “send a clear signal” that “such grotesque abuses will not be tolerated”.

Women’s participation in sport has effectively been outlawed since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 and many of Afghanistan’s female players left the country for their own safety.

International Cricket Council regulations state full membership is conditional upon having women’s cricket teams and pathway structures in place.

However, Afghanistan’s men’s team have been allowed to participate in ICC tournaments seemingly without any sanctions.

In response to the letter signed by group of more than 160 politicians calling for a boycott, ECB chief executive Richard Gould said the governing body “is committed to finding a solution” which “upholds the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan”.

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

Dame Sandra Mason To Present ‘RCS 150 Trophy’

The Commonwealth Society of Barbados has again partnered with the Barbados Secondary Schools Athletics Championships to present the “RCS 150 Trophy”, this year.

President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, who is patron and lifelong member of the organisation, as well as an advocate for youth and sports, will present the trophy today, Friday, March 28, during the closing ceremony of the athletics event at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex.

The “RCS 150 Trophy” is awarded to the school team found to be exemplifying the values of the Commonwealth, namely sportsmanship, teamwork, equity, and fair play, in addition to achieving consistent performance during the championships. It symbolises unity, excellence, and camaraderie among the nation’s student athletes.

In addition to the trophy, each athlete participating in the championships will be provided with branded paraphernalia. The Commonwealth Society of Barbados is currently celebrating its 40th Anniversary as a charitable organisation.

It continues to support sports and acknowledges the importance of physical activity in reinforcing and fostering mutual understanding and cooperation among the youth and the wider community. (PR/GIS)

Sports

FIRST DAY ADVANTAGE FOR RED FORCE

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force held the advantage over Barbados Pride at the end of the first day of their four day match at Kensington Oval on Wednesday.

At the close of play the Red Force were 182 for four wickets, a lead of 86 runs.

Openers Cephas Cooper (32) and Kamil Pooran (50) posted 104 for the first wicket before Cooper was bowled by Roach.

Amir Jangoo and Yannick Cariah are unbeaten on 37 and 19 respectively. Jason Holder dismissed two batsmen for 35 runs.

Earlier Barbados Pride was bowled out for 86 after the Red Force won the toss and elected to field. The Pride lost their first wicket with the score on seven when the captain and opening batsman Kraigg Brathwaite and opening batsman was bowled by medium pacer Anderson Phillip for five.

Three runs later the in-form batsman Jonathan Drakes was bowled by Jayden Seales for three. Opener Zachary McCaskie (11) and Roston Chase (11) added 25 runs for the fourth wicket until McCaskie was caught at second slip off seamer Joshua James to leave the Pride reeling at 35 for four wickets.

Barbados’ woes continued when Chase was dismissed with no addition to the score.The Pride’s batsmen wickets continue to fall like ripe mangoes in season; and they were bowled out for their lowest total of the season. Kemar Roach, batting at number nine, top-scored with 21, and Shai Hope was run-out for 16. Phillip captured four wickets for 36 runs, and Seales took two for 32.