Friday, May 29, 2026
Subscribe
Search here...
Home Blog Page 119

No ‘big team, small team’ as Windies take on Nepal in World Cup

Philip Spooner
-
0
No ‘big team, small team’ as Windies take on Nepal in World Cup

The concept of West Indies being the “bigger team” in the upcoming contest against Nepal has been banished and the two-time world champions will approach Sunday’s all-important match like any other. 

Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein has promised that the Group C leaders will not drop their guard when they come up against the lower-ranked Nepalese in their crucial ICC Men’s T20 World Cup contest at the Wankhede Stadium. Play starts at 11am local time (1:30am Barbados Time).

The Windies have been dominant in their two wins over Scotland and England and another victory over Nepal will book their spot in the Super Eights second round phase of the tournament and also pick up another US$32,000 in prize money. 

Hosein spoke to the media at Saturday’s pre-match press conference and was reminded that Nepal cannot be taken lightly. 

He was captain last September when an under-strength West Indies side lost 2-1 to Nepal in a three-match series in Sharjah.

“…It’s no big team or no small team. At the end of the day, it’s who plays the best cricket on the day, and like I keep saying, that’s how we’re going to treat it. I think you could see from the start of the tournament in the first round, most of the so-called bigger teams were in a spot of bother, so in this World Cup it’s not one to take anyone lightly,” Hosein said.

“Preparation is going to be the same, mindset is going to be the same, and it’s just about executing. At the end of the day, it’s a World Cup and these teams had to do what they had to do to get to the World Cup, so it’s not about taking anyone for granted. It’s about going out there and playing another cricket match against our opposition, not so much coming up against a name,” Hosein said.

After Sunday’s match the West Indies will travel from Mumbai back to Kolkata for the final preliminary round match against new-comers Italy. 

This will be played on Wednesday morning (1:30am Barbados Time). (PS) 

Local football in a promising place

Jonteau Coppin
-
0
Local football in a promising place

Barbados under-17 football head coach Marlon Harte believes the future of Barbadian football is exciting following his team’s second-place finish in Group A of the Under-17 World Cup Qualifiers.

Speaking at Grantley Adams International Airport yesterday morning, Harte expressed optimism about the direction of the local game, despite Barbados narrowly missing out on qualification for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, which will be hosted in Qatar this November.

“I think it’s an exciting time for our football,” Harte began. “It was a great opportunity that showed the commitment of all the clubs, the coaches and the work being done. It was also an important factor in the performances was the exposure that a number of our under-17s got at the top levels (of our football), both in the Prime Minister’s Cup and the Premier League, so I think that’s a key factor that would have given them the experience and confidence that they were.”

Barbados emphatically capped their campaign with a 6-0 victory over Saint Martin at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. Right back Jacob Gollop struck twice, while Reuben Garnes Alleyne, Amari Small and Jamarco Johnson each added their names to the scoresheet, complemented by an own goal, as the Junior Tridents finished with nine points.

The team also secured wins against hosts Trinidad and Tobago (1-0) and Sint Maarten (7-1). Their lone defeat came against group winners Mexico, former Under-17 world champions, who claimed all 12 available points to seal automatic qualification.

Mexico effectively settled that contest with three goals in seven minutes, eventually prevailing 4-1. Despite the early setback, Harte praised his players’ resilience.

“Kudos to the boys for holding their nerve after going three goals down in seven minutes because that’s a difficult period in the game and you’re really trying to make it to half-time. My take is that it’s a hard lesson, but a lesson that will grow us as a team and as players. These teams that have the young professionals are always up for it and ready to go from minute one, so we have to be locked in from the beginning.”

He continued, “Tactically, we were sound, and we didn’t give much away after that, but key lessons learnt about the top guys in CONCACAF.”

Attention has now shifted to sustaining the progress made and ensuring the continued development of the squad’s core.

“That’s our main goal now, to focus on where these guys are going and where they’re playing and keep monitoring them, keeping contact with them and use the parents as well to let them know that we’re still interested in their development. I think the future is bright for us.”

Preparations are already underway for the next phase.

“We actually train next Saturday, so, you know, we’re not sitting down on successes here, we’re looking to build on it,” Harte explained. “We’re trying to also expand the pool and see what other new players we can bring in and give them opportunities as well. Overall, we’re pretty happy with where we are and where we’re going.”

Spirituality also played a central role in shaping the team’s culture, with prayer huddles before, during and after matches a consistent feature throughout the group phase.

“This team is a very spiritually rooted team. You may not have boys who go to church every week, but these boys are aware of a greater presence, and I’m on my personal journey with that as well. They believed that it gave us additional strength and confidence, knowing that we had his (God’s) backing, and that was important for us as a team.”

The squad that travelled to Trinidad and Tobago is as follows: Goalkeepers: Kai Roach, Kaliq Lashley, Shaquan King. Defenders: Jacob Gallop, Adam King, Keandre Gibson, Tiago Barrow, Tye Waterman, Raezario Roach, Shakori Scott. Midfielders: Tariq Barker, Rubien Garnes-Alleyne, Ashaun Grecia, Nicholai Banton, Jemari Henry, Tarell Nightingale. Forwards: Jamarco Johnson, Davion Thorne, Tyrico Bellamy, Malek Peters, Amari Small. Reserve player was Malachi Vidal. 

The staff members are as follows: Head Coach Marlon Harte, Assistant Coach Giancarlo Cobham, Manager Ortis Williams, and Goalkeeper Coach Richard Bynoe. Desmond Grant was the Trainer, while Thai Moore went as Physiotherapist, with Andre Scott Brathwaite being the Equipment Manager. (JC)

Walker shines at BEA show

Jonteau Coppin
-
0
Walker shines at BEA show

Heather Walker and Noblelux stole the spotlight at the first Barbados Equestrian Association (BEA) show of the 2026 season, held at the welcoming Big “C” Stables in Frere Pilgrim, Christ Church, on Sunday, January 18. 

Competing in the Super League’s 1.20m and 1.30m classes, Walker delivered flawless double clear rounds, navigating the tallest fences of the day with speed and precision, while earlier in the 1.00m–1.10m opening class, Naiya Hinds and Lipstick also impressed, setting a high bar for the season ahead.

The Lower League began with Class 4 at 0.50m, where reigning 2025 champions Antoria Bynoe and Jigsaw claimed the Adult win with a double clear and a swift jump-off time of 18.54 seconds. Monique Truss and the retrained thoroughbred Hunter finished second after a clear first round but picked up four faults in the jump-off. In the Junior 0.50m, Lucie Lemoine and Luca dazzled with a double clear in 15.23 seconds, narrowly defeating Antonia Bellucci-Velez and Morocco, who also produced a double clear in 16.07 seconds. Amelia Waterman aboard Sargeant Vaughn and Emory Belgrave on Annie Oakley rounded out the podium, with strong performances also coming from Kayla Gibson, Aria Cozier, Quinn Narine, and Rayne Alder.

At 0.60m, Adriana Watson and Cracklin Rose captured the Adult class with a double clear in 17.91 seconds, followed by Truss and Hunter in second and India Griffith with Orion GE in third. In the Junior 0.60m division, Jessie Galbraith and Annie Oakley finished first, followed by Cataleya Barrow aboard Lady Intent, Jasper Wood on Mr Blue, and Aria Cozier.

The 0.70m class saw Antonia Bellucci-Velez take victory on Daisy in 16.99 seconds, with Amelia Waterman and Daring David second and Alessandra Edwards riding Micky narrowly third. Imogen Hutchinson and Guns and Roses finished fourth after a rail, and Lia Follows and Kalina Straburzynska also reached the jump-off.

In the 0.80m class, only Zac Pitcher on Luca and Erin Skinner riding L’Diamante Beauvais Z reached the jump-off, with Pitcher winning in 18.15 seconds. Katie Haloute on Gaucho and Emilie Gale on Sweet Talkin Woman both suffered a rail at the final fence. Pitcher and Luca continued their streak in the 0.90m class, winning over Zoe Rosenberg and Corlato, with Jonathan Filardo on Largo third and Ivy Rosentreter with McCloud fourth. Josiah Straughn finished fifth aboard Brigadere Lightening despite two rails.

The day concluded with the 1.00m class, where Jonathan Filardo and Largo, as the sole competitors, completed the course with one rail down at jump four to claim the win, bringing the first BEA show of the season to a close. (JC)

Neighbours want B’s relocated

Carlos Atwell
-
1
Neighbours want B’s relocated

The latest fire at B’s Recycling in Cane Garden, St Thomas, has prompted some nearby residents to reiterate their call to have the plant relocated.

Investigations are ongoing after a fire broke out Thursday around 2:15 p.m. and continued into the night. Emergency officials brought it under control around 10 p.m.

Heavy smoke

The incident prompted the Ministry of Health and Wellness to advise that communities in the immediate environment, as well as those of Arthur Seat, Redman’s Village, Welches, Melrose, Lower Edgehill, Jackson, Clermont and Warrens, might be affected by heavy smoke.

People with asthma or other pre-existing respiratory conditions were urged to avoid those areas until conditions improved, and anyone who felt unwell was instructed to seek immediate medical attention.

Residential areas

In Melrose, Mark Morris said enough was enough, as every time a fire broke out at B’s Recycling, they paid the price.

“I don’t think it should be so close to residential areas,” he told the Saturday Sun.

He lamented the proximity of the industrial complex as well, saying he often suffered because of fumes emanating from the various automobile bodywork businesses.

“I’ve lived here since 1986 and we have to deal with all kinds of smells, but I still think B’s should move,” he said.

Another resident, who did not want to be identified, said be believed the recycling plant was in the wrong location, adding that the smoke prompted him to shut his windows.

“People here are asthmatics so I had to close up the house. I saw the smoke overhead and everybody was wondering where it was coming from.

“Every time this happens, the smoke comes cross here; it’s been six or seven times now,” he said.

A neighbour said the smoke had her feeling “uncomfortable”.

“I shut the windows, but that made it worse, so I opened them back. Every time [there is] a fire out there, it is the same thing. I saw black smoke and a smell like iron burning,” she said.

Previous fires

The woman said the smell persisted into the night but, much to her relief, was better by yesterday morning.

Anthony Campbell said he remembered the previous fires at B’s Recycling as well as the fire in the industrial complex last year, which destroyed three businesses.

“When there are fires, all the smoke comes at us. I’m just glad this time it got dealt with so quickly,” he said.

A woman, who also did not want to be named, said the smoke affected her sinuses and she thought someone was burning tyres in their yard.

Hugh Osbourne said he was asthmatic but, fortunately, was not affected. He recalled that years ago he had to evacuate his house due to a fire at B’s.

Cora Thomas, who lives along Reece Road, a short distance from the recycling plant, empathised with owner Paul Bynoe.

“He is still a young man and I like to see young people doing something meaningful. Still, the smoke was so thick I couldn’t see the houses. I said, ‘Lord, don’t let the fire take the houses’. I thank God the smoke is not around anymore and I hope the fire does not return,” she said. (CA)

Digital banking platform for small businesses

Nationnews Desk
-
0
Digital banking platform for small businesses

CIBC Caribbean has just launched its Business Banking Digital Client Onboarding (DCO) feature, which it says is a modern, mobile first solution that allows small entrepreneurs to open business banking accounts entirely online.

“The new platform is a significant step forward in the bank’s digital transformation agenda and reinforces its commitment to supporting the growth of small and micro businesses across the region,” it stated in a release.

CIBC said in addition to Barbados, the DCO is up and running in Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia, and will be released in the other five territories where the bank has a presence in the coming months.

“The new system is designed to remove traditional barriers to opening a business account, providing entrepreneurs with a faster, simpler and more transparent onboarding experience, replacing paper-heavy requirements with streamlined digital interactions. Entrepreneurs can upload required documents, verify details and complete their business profile from any device, at their own pace,” said Deepa Boucaud, executive director, personal and business banking, CIBC Caribbean.

She added that one of the innovations “allows new or early stage businesses to provide estimated income and expense information digitally, eliminating the need for formal financial statements for lowrisk sole proprietors”.

“The system also guides users through jurisdiction specific documentation, reducing confusion and ensuring compliance across multiple markets”.

Boucaud said that for the bank, the framework delivers stronger compliance controls, improved data quality and reduced processing times, enabling teams to serve clients more efficiently while maintaining robust anti-money laundering and risk standards.

(PR/BW)

Head of Dubai-based ports giant quits after Epstein links revealed

Nationnews Desk
-
0
Head of Dubai-based ports giant quits after Epstein links revealed

The head of global ports operator DP World has left the company after mounting pressure over his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem’s exit as chairman and chief executive comes after newly-released files showed the Emirati mogul appears to have exchanged hundreds of emails with Epstein over a decade.

Being mentioned in the files is not a sign of any wrongdoing, and the BBC has approached Sulayem for a comment.

DP World announced his resignation, “effective immediately”, on Friday, naming Essa Kazim as chairman and Yuvraj Narayan as chief executive. A photograph of Sulayem appeared to have been removed from its website.

DP World, the Dubai-owned logistics giant that runs port terminals across six continents and plays a significant role in global trade infrastructure, has come under increasing pressure over recent days from businesses it works with.

Earlier this week, the UK development finance agency and Canada’s second largest pension fund La Caisse said they were suspending new investment into the firm.

And the Prince of Wales’ Earthshot project, which received funding from DP World, was reported to the UK Charity Commission after Sulayem appeared in the files.

The documents reveal what appears to have been a close and wide-ranging relationship between one of the Gulf’s most influential business figures and Epstein.

They indicate Epstein introduced Sulayem to various international figures from politics and business by email, and that Sulayem gave the Prince of Wales a tour of DP World’s London Gateway port in 2016.

Sulayem was also accused by two US lawmakers, Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, of being one of “six powerful men” who were associated with the disgraced financier.

The congressmen, who co-sponsored the law that compelled the justice department to release the Epstein files last year, say they were improperly redacted.

Among the redactions flagged by Massie on 9 February was a document appearing to show an email from Epstein in 2009 referring to a “torture video”. The recipient replied that they would be travelling between China and the US. The context is not known.

US officials disclosed that Sulayem was the recipient behind that email from Epstein.

According to a BBC News Arabic analysis of the documents, the emails appear to indicate Sulayem appears to have been in contact with Epstein as far back as 2007.

The trail of emails suggest the two developed a close friendship, regularly sending each other their travel plans, business ideas and contacts as well as news articles and crude jokes.

Epstein described Sulayem as “one of his most trusted friends” in an email from June 2013.

The men discussed business ideas around the world, including for Dubai to launch an “Islamic” digital currency.

Meanwhile, in several emails over the years, it would appear Sulayem sought Epstein’s advice on health matters concerning himself, his daughter and his wider family and friends.

They apparently stayed in touch until at least 2017, two years before Epstein’s death and despite Epstein’s first criminal conviction in 2008 for soliciting and procuring a person under the age of 18 for prostitution. (BBC)

‘Ready’ to join forces

Diara Springer
-
0
‘Ready’ to join forces

The People’s Coalition for Progress (PCP) has signalled its willingness to forge alliances with both the Democratic Labour Party and the Friends of Democracy in the aftermath of Wednesday’s General Election results.

Meanwhile, one of its key leaders has knocked Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s proposed constitutional amendments.

Kemar Stuart, head of the New National Party and a member of the PCP, said the coalition was prepared to work with all opposition forces.

Collaboration

“We are open to collaboration with the Friends of Democracy, and we are also open to the idea of all the opposing forces, including the Democratic Labour Party, coming together,” said Stuart, who contested the St John seat.

“None of us are in Parliament. For all of the parties, including and especially the Democratic Labour Party, we should all seek to join forces and work together moving forward.”

Lynette Eastmond, head of the United Progressive Party and also PCP member, sharply criticised the Prime Minister’s announcement that her parliamentary party planned to introduce antidefection legislation requiring Members of Parliament who leave their party to cross the floor to seek fresh mandates from constituents.

Freedom of association

“I have come to understand that the Prime Minister of Barbados plans to amend the Constitution of Barbados in order to deprive Barbadians of the right of freedom of association,” Eastmond said. “Barbadians are born free. They’re born under a Constitution where they have certain fundamental rights and freedoms. One of those rights is freedom of association.”

Eastmond, who ran in St Philip West, questioned the necessity of such a fundamental constitutional change, arguing that the Constitution was deliberately crafted to allow Members of Parliament the freedom to disassociate from a particular party.

“Usually, when you are going to do something as fundamental as changing the Constitution, there must be a significant mischief that you’re trying to cure,” she said. “I do not see the mischief other than you are upset because you have had two defections. It shouldn’t be so in Barbados. We’re in a very dark place at the moment.”

Stuart struck a conciliatory tone regarding other aspects of the election outcome. He thanked voters who supported PCP candidates and congratulated Prime Minister Mottley on securing her third consecutive victory.

He also addressed the Prime Minister’s offer of Senate seats to the Democratic Labour Party, suggesting a more inclusive approach should be taken.

“My initial suggestion was that the President of the country offer the other political parties Independent Senate seats,” he stated. “I think a much better way to go about it would be to offer all of the major performing parties Independent Senate seats.”

In relation to the future of the coalition, Stuart said: “We have to meet and then make our decision based on the results that we saw at the polls. Obviously, we need to strengthen the organisation.” (DDS)

Trinidad gets licences from United States for oil and gas activities in Venezuela

Nationnews Desk
-
0
Trinidad gets licences from United States for oil and gas activities in Venezuela

The Trinidad and Tobago government Friday said that it has been issued with two United States General Licences, which provides “a clear and structured legal framework” under US law for certain oil and gas activities in Venezuela and along “our shared maritime border”.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar in a statement posted on X, said that “as a longstanding close partner of the United States, Trinidad and Tobago views this development as an important opportunity to deepen hemispheric energy cooperation, strengthen regional stability, and reinforce trusted commercial ties.

“We are optimistic about the potential to enhance our role as a responsible energy hub in the Caribbean, supporting domestic industry, safeguarding jobs, and contributing to reliable supply chains that benefit the wider region,” she wrote.

Persad-Bissessar said that Trinidad and Tobago will proceed in full compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements “and in keeping with our commitment to transparency and sound governance”.

According to the licence “any payment of oil or gas taxes or royalities to the government of Venezuela, PdVSA or any PdVSA entity must be paid to the Foreign Government Deposit Funds o any other account as instricted by the US Department of Treasury”.

It states further that the general licence does not authorise “payment terms that are not commercially reasonable, involve debt swaps or payments in gold, or are dominated in digital currency, digital coin or  digital tokens issued by, for, or on behalf of the Government of  Venezuela”.

Following the United States military incursion into Venezuela last month and the detention of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife on drugs and illegal  weapons charges, Washington announced that it would be running the South American country for the foreseeable future.

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar had publicly supported the United States military presence in the Caribbean after Washington had initially said it was intended to put an end to the illegal drugs trade.

In April 2025, the United States revoked the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) licenses that had permitted Trinidad and Tobago to develop the Dragon and Manakin-Cocuina natural gas fields in partnership with Venezuela.

The licences had allowed multinational energy giants Shell and BP, along with Trinidad’s state-owned National Gas Company (NGC), to develop offshore gas fields near the Venezuelan maritime border. The Dragon field alone holds an estimated four trillion cubic feet of gas, with first exports initially slated for 2026.

Trinidad and Tobago  had already begun paying over one million US dollars per year in taxes to Venezuela for the expected 20-year Dragon project. But the move by Washington, citing concerns over Venezuela’s failure to restore democratic norms and manage illegal migration, had effectively frozen the deal.

However, by October 2025, a new, revised six-month OFAC license was granted to Trinidad and Tobago, valid until April 2026, allowing for renewed negotiations on the Dragon gas project under new,  strict, tiered conditions. (CMC)

OK by Lashley, Atherley

Gercine Carter
-
0
OK by Lashley, Atherley

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley’s plan to introduce anti-defection legislation has been given conditional approval by at least two former parliamentarians who crossed the floor.

Minutes after being sworn in on Thursday as Prime Minister for a third consecutive term, following her Barbados Labour Party’s (BLP) third 30-0 sweep in Wednesday’s General Election, Mottley revealed that her parliamentary party had agreed to introduce anti-defection legislation which would require Members of Parliament who leave the party on whose ticket they were elected to seek a fresh mandate from constituents.

Understood

The announcement was made against the background of former BLP Christ Church South representative Ralph Thorne’s defection to the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) and becoming Opposition Leader in 2024, two years after his election on a BLP ticket. Thorne suffered a crushing defeat in Wednesday’s poll when he contested the St John seat for the first time.

Yesterday, former MP Hamilton Lashley, who represented the constituency of St Michael South East for the BLP, DLP and also sat in the House of Assembly as an Independent, and Bishop Joseph Atherley, who defected from the BLP while representing St Michael West to become Opposition Leader in 2018, said they understood the Prime Minister’s motivation for considering such legislation at this time. However, both offered suggestions on how they believed the legislation should be approached.

About his initial switch from the DLP to the BLP, Lashley told the Saturday Sun: “I was voted in under the Democratic Labour Party banner and I sat in Opposition for about three and a half years before an offer was made to me to come over to the BLP.

‘About the people’

“I was representing four of the biggest housing areas in Barbados, people from the lower socio-economic bracket of Barbados. Here it is, I am representing this demographic, when the opportunity was given to me to come over to the BLP and I was offered a ministry. It was not about me, it was about the people,” he explained.

He maintained that the people one represented must be the main focus, and that was the reason why he consulted with his constituents and got their approval for his move.

“I believe that any politician who wants to make decisions like crossing the floor, their first order of business would be to consult their people first . . . . I do not have a problem with Government trying to legislate crossing the floor, but there must first be approval from the people.

“Right now, if the Prime Minister of Barbados sees it as a necessity to legislate, let that be it, but I would suggest that you have a discussion with the people first. Perhaps consultation should also include the people, perhaps a national referendum. Get a mandate from the people,” Lashley insisted.

Atherley said he could understand the Prime Minister’s position.

“It is true that though the parliamentary laws of Barbados do not recognise the political party as an entity in the operations of Parliament, it is true that a lot of people do vote for you on the basis of the party with which you are associated, or the policies of that party as are enunciated prior to elections.

“So I understand the view that if a person is going to cross the floor, it might be good if they have to go to the electorate . . . . So I understand where the Prime Minister is coming from with respect to the proposed legislation,” he said.

However, he suggested that when the legislation is brought to Parliament and a vote is to be taken, “that vote should be derived from secret ballot and not open ballot”.

He explained: “There may be one or two people faced with a situation within a party who might not want to say ‘nay’ when in fact their heart tells them ‘nay’, but they don’t want to say ‘nay’ because they feel that they may in some way be discriminated against or be penalised, or they may themselves feel intimidated.”

The former Opposition Leader pointed out that he did not cross the floor because of disaffection with the BLP, but because he felt the need to have some sort of Opposition voice in Parliament.

Meanwhile, political scientist Dr George Belle reasoned that the Prime Minister might be responding with legislation to put a stop to the relatively recent development in Barbados’ political culture where someone is likely to use “a political base that perhaps in many cases they could not develop on their own, and is using it to challenge the people that helped them to get into Parliament”.

Body found

A decomposed body was found at Selman Road, Fisherpond, St Joseph, around 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

According to police, an employee at a plantation was conducting work when the discovery was made in a bushy area. Officers at District “D” Police Station are continuing investigations,.

Anyone who may have any information and can assist is asked to contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-8477, police emergency 211 or District “D” Police Station at 419-1726. ( PR/SAT)

Matthews returns to lead WI Women in ODI Series

Nationnews Desk
-
0
Matthews returns to lead WI Women in ODI Series

Barbadian Hayley Matthews has returned to captain the West Indies Women in a One-Day International Series against Sri Lanka Women.

The three-match series will be played from February 20 to 25 at the National Cricket Stadium in St George’s, Grenada. The itinerary will also include three T20 Internationals.

A release from Cricket West Indies (CWI) said Matthews was “fully recovered from the shoulder injury that sidelined her last June and caused her to miss the Women’s Caribbean Premier League”.

She will be supported by newly appointed vice-captain Chinelle Henry, who takes over the role from veteran wicketkeeper Shemaine Campbelle.

“Henry’s promotion recognises her growing leadership qualities and consistent performances, both for the West Indies and in franchise leagues across the world, marking a new chapter in the team’s leadership structure,” the release said.

The Maroon Warriors also welcome back all-rounder Deandra Dottin into the fold after injury kept her away from the team for much of their 2025 commitments, including the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in Pakistan, as well as subsequent series in England followed by the home series against South Africa.

Cricket West Indies Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe expressed his delight at hosting the start of the Maroon Warriors’ international assignments for 2026 saying.

“This home series is a cornerstone event, not just for team preparation but for the continued elevation of women’s cricket across the Caribbean. Every match played here is an investment in our future. It is about providing a visible, high-performance pathway that shows every young woman in the region what is possible and we are committed to the mission of growing the game at every level, and series like this are essential to that mission,” he said.

“We are thrilled to have Chinelle Henry as our new vice-captain to support captain Hayley Matthews in leading the side and express our thanks to Shemaine Campbelle who previously held the vice-captaincy. Playing in front of our home fans in Grenada adds a profound layer of significance so we want our team to feel the pride of the Maroon legacy and feed of that energy to inspire the next generation of West Indies stars.”

Head Coach Shane Deitz is relishing the challenge of facing Sri Lanka and says the squad is eager to make the most of home conditions.

“We’re excited to have this series against Sri Lanka, who are a really good team. They beat us in the ODI series in Sri Lanka back in 2024, so we owe them one and now we get them on our home turf.”

Sri Lanka are ranked sixth in ODIs compared to the West Indies at nine. The regional side has been steadily building capacity ahead of upcoming international assignments both at home and away and their training was supplemented with two high-performance camps in Antigua last year, one in August and the other, an eight-week camp, held from October to December. 

Additionally, 15 of the region’s female cricketers, who are a part of the wider women’s player pool, embarked on a specialised training camp last August at the Super Kings Academy in Chennai, India.

Full squad: Hayley Matthews (captain), Chinelle Henry (vice captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Jahzara Claxton, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Jannillea Glasgow, Realeanna Grimmond, Shawnisha Hector, Qiana Joseph, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Shunelle Sawh, Stafanie Taylor.

Team Management Unit: Shane Deitz (head coach), Sheena Gooding (manager), Ryan Austin, Damien Wright and Shane Dowrich (assistant coaches), Ashley Stephens (physiotherapist), Hector Martinez Charles (strength & conditioning coach), Dr Nadine Sammy (performance coach), Nicholas Maitland (media & content officer). (PR/SAT)

Series Schedule:

1st ODI – Friday, February 20 – 9:30 a.m.

2nd ODI – Sunday, February 22 – 9:30 a.m.

3rd ODI – Wednesday, February 25 – 9:30 a.m.

1st T20I – Saturday, February 28 – 1 p.m.

2nd T20I – Sunday, March 1 – 1 p.m.

3rd T20I – Tuesday, March 3 – 1 p.m.

1...118119120...13,617Page 119 of 13,617

Follow us

Each template in our ever growing studio library can be added and moved around within any page effortlessly with one click.

Company

Latest news

Shooting incident at The Pine

News 0
Police have confirmed a shooting of a man at...

Matthews steers WI Women to win

Sports 0
DUBLIN – Hayley Matthews delivered a captain’s innings of...

Steady decline in birth rates for six decades

News 0
Barbados is confronting a deepening demographic crisis marked by...

Popular news

Push to protect farms

News 0
Praedial larceny and the scourge of monkeys are some...

Kenya court halts opening of US Ebola quarantine facility in the country

World 0
A Kenyan court has suspended US plans to open...

Caribbean to benefit from closer collaboration with Europe and Central America

Regional 0
The Global Gateway Coordination forum for the Caribbean Basin...

Copyright © 1997 - 2026, Nation Publishing Co. Limited • P.O. Box 1203, Fontabelle, St. Michael, BB11000, Barbados, West Indies • All Rights Reserved No unauthorized use is permitted of content produced by NationNews.com, The Nation Newspaper or any other publication or media owned by Nation Publishing Co. Limited. Unauthorized use includes framing and direct posting of content on websites other than www.nationnews.com.