The Barbados Pride have revealed their squad for the opening match of the 2025 CWI Regional First-Class tournament. Unfortunately, the team will be without several key players due to international duties and injuries.
West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite, left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, and veteran fast bowler Kemar Roach are unavailable as they prepare for the upcoming Test series in Pakistan, which begins on Friday, January 17. Additionally, all-rounder Jason Holder has been ruled out due to injury, presenting further challenges for the team ahead of the new season.
Conspicuously absent from the squad are Kadeem Alleyne, Dominic Drakes, Kemar Smith, and Shayne Moseley, despite their recent recognition with West Indies regional contracts.
The Pride, historically the most successful team in the competition with 23 outright titles and one shared title with Trinidad & Tobago in the 1975-1976 season, are set to face defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles from January 29 to February 1, 2025, at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. The Pride aim to reclaim the prestigious Headley Weekes Trophy, which they last secured in the 2021-2022 season.
The Barbados Pride squad for the season opener is as follows: Leniko Boucher, Jonathan Drakes, Matthew Forde, Chaim Holder, Chemar Holder, Matthew Jones, Javed Leacock, Jair McAllister, Zachary McCaskie, Raymon Reifer, Demetrius Richards, Ramon Simmonds, and Kevin Wickham. The team captain will be announced soon.
In preparation for the tournament, the Pride have arranged a series of practice matches. The first game is being held from January 13 to 15, 2025, at the Queen’s Park cricket venue in St. Michael. Raymon Reifer and Akeem Jordan are captaining the two squads in this warm-up fixture.
Team Reifer: Raymon Reifer (captain), Shian Brathwaite, Zachary Carter, Jonathan Drakes, Matthew Forde, Chemar Holder, Jair McAllister, Zachary McCaskie, Jatario Prescod, Demetrius Richards, Ramon Simmonds.
Team Jordan: Akeem Jordan (captain), Kadeem Alleyne, Shaquille Cumberbatch, Giovonte DePeiza, Akil Greenidge, Matthew Jones, Kyle Jordan, Stefon King, Javed Leacock, Shayne Moseley, Kemar Smith, Tevyn Walcott.
(JC)
