Sports

ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2024 Ramps Up with 50-Day Countdown Activities

As excitement builds for the much-anticipated ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2024, Barbados is poised to mark the 50-day countdown milestone on Friday, April 12. A flurry of activities and preparations is reaching a crescendo across the island.

As part of the activities to celebrate on Friday, April 12, LED screens strategically placed throughout the country will display the ticking seconds, keeping the public engaged and enthused about the approaching spectacle. Next week an additional prominent countdown clock will be unveiled in Bridgetown, symbolising the commencement of the final stretch leading up to the tournament’s kickoff on June 1, 2024.

Noel Lynch, Chairman of the National Organising Committee, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming festivities, stating, “With 50 days to go, Barbados has switched into high gear, culminating in the unveiling of the countdown clock and the trophy tour. Since February 2024, we’ve witnessed a surge in activity, and now, as we approach the tournament, the momentum is palpable. Over 45 key national agencies, which all form the National Organising Committee or feed into the NOC, have been meeting diligently for months. We will be rolling out the national traffic plan, national volunteer plan, and more shortly.”

Adding to the excitement, the prestigious tournament trophy will embark on a tour of iconic Barbadian landmarks, commencing with a ceremonial event at the U.S. Embassy on Friday. United States Ambassador to Barbados, Roger F. Nyhus, representatives from the ICC, Cricket West Indies, and the National Organising Committee will be present to mark the occasion. This signifies the different games that will be played in the United States this tournament.

The public is encouraged to join in the excitement as the tournament trophy caravan traverses the island on Saturday, April 13. It will make stops at iconic locations, including Kensington Oval, Cheapside Market, Bridgefield, St. Thomas, Lemon Arbor, St. John, Bathsheba St. Joseph, Haymans, St. Peter, Rihanna Drive, and the Oistins Bay Gardens. The trophy will be displayed on Sunday during a Brownes Beach cricket match and at the Royal Westmoreland Golf Club. The trophy tour will end at noon on Sunday in Holders Hill – the nursery of Barbados international cricket.

Lynch added that Barbadians should follow the @preparebarbados social media channels on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date on all of the events.

As the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2024 countdown reaches its pinnacle, Barbados stands ready to host a world-class event, showcasing its rich culture, passion for cricket, and warm hospitality. (PR)

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.