Cricket

St Lucia Kings emerged victorious in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) final, defeating Guyana Amazon Warriors by six wickets at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. The triumph marked a historic moment for St Lucia, as it became the first team from the island nation to win the CPL title.The Kings' victory was orchestrated by a remarkable performance from Aaron Jones, who turned the tide of the match with a blistering knock. Chasing a modest target of 139, the Kings found themselves in a precarious position at 51 for 4. However, Jones, who had struggled early on, exploded with a flurry of boundaries, scoring 38 runs off just 12 balls.Jones's resurgence was complemented by a steady innings from Roston Chase, who played the anchor role with an unbeaten 39. The duo forged an unbroken 88-run partnership, guiding the Kings to victory with an over to spare.The Amazon Warriors' bowling attack, led by their four-pronged spin attack, had initially put the Kings under pressure. However, Jones's counterattack shattered their hopes of a second consecutive CPL title.The victory was a fitting tribute to St Lucia's Daren Sammy, the Kings' captain and former West Indies skipper. Sammy, who has been instrumental in the development of cricket in St Lucia, expressed his pride in the team's achievement."This is a special moment for St Lucia," said Sammy. "We've worked hard for this, and it's a dream come true to win the CPL title."The Kings' triumph also marked a significant milestone for St Lucia's sporting history. Just two months after sprinter Julien Alfred won the island's first Olympic gold medal, the Kings have brought another moment of glory to the nation.

Aaron Jones, the standout performer for USA at the T20 World Cup 2024, has secured a contract in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The Barbadian-born Jones, who qualifies as a local player, was snapped up by the St Lucia Kings in Monday's draft for the 2024 season, which runs from August 29 to October 4.Jones' impressive performances at the World Cup, including a match-winning 94 not out against Canada and a crucial 36 not out in USA's tie against Pakistan, caught the attention of CPL franchises. He has previously represented Barbados and Combined Campuses and Colleges in the West Indies regional setup and was an unused member of the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots squad in CPL 2019.The six CPL 2024 franchises had already completed most of their recruitment through retentions and pre-signings. Kyle Mayers was the first player to be signed in Monday's draft, joining the Patriots. Mikyle Louis, who made his Test debut for West Indies at Lord's last week, will also play for Patriots, along with Ryan John and Veerasammy Permaul.Isai Thorne, the fast bowler who has represented West Indies at the last two Under-19 World Cups, has earned a contract with Barbados Royals. He is currently in the UK with West Indies' Test squad as a net bowler and "development player." Royals have also drafted Kadeem Alleyne and Nathan Sealy.Raymon Reifer, who played T20I cricket for West Indies as recently as last year, joined Guyana Amazon Warriors along with Ronaldo Alimohamed and Matthew Nandu. Khari Campbell, Johann Jeremiah, Mikkel Govia, and Akeem Auguste are part of the Kings' squad alongside Jones.Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, who will replace Jamaica Tallawahs in CPL 2024, have signed Roshon Primus, Justin Greaves, Jahmar Hamilton, Teddy Bishop, and Kofi James. Trinbago Knight Riders have brought in Nathan Edward and Shaquere Parris to fill their emerging player spots.

USA's Aaron Jones Exudes Confidence Ahead of T20 World Cup Super EightUSA's vice-captain Aaron Jones has expressed unwavering belief in his team's ability to challenge and defeat full member nations in the T20 World Cup Super Eight. Jones emphasized the importance of playing "proper cricket" and reaching their full potential to achieve success.The USA secured their place in the Super Eight after their Group A match against Ireland was washed out, resulting in both teams sharing a point. They had previously defeated Canada by seven wickets and pulled off a thrilling Super Over win against former champions Pakistan."We're definitely looking forward to the challenge of the Super Eight," Jones said at a post-match press conference. "We've shown over the last couple of weeks that we can compete and beat some of the full member nations."In the Super Eight, the USA will face formidable opponents such as South Africa, West Indies, and potentially England. However, Jones remains optimistic about their chances."A lot of people don't pay much attention to US cricket," he said. "They don't know how much talent we have here. That could be an advantage for us. On any given day, if we play proper cricket, we believe we can beat any team in the world."The USA's advancement to the Super Eight also guarantees their automatic qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup."It's a big thing for us," Jones said. "We've been talking about playing in the World Cup and playing more games against full member nations. Now we're doing it, and qualifying for the Super Eights is really good.""Not only for us right now, but we'll qualify for the 2026 World Cup as well. It's a big thing for us, the fans, and the younger generation in America."

USA Captain Aaron Jones Reflects on Narrow Loss to India in T20 World CupIn the wake of a 7-wicket defeat to India in the ICC T20 World Cup, USA stand-in captain Aaron Jones expressed his belief that a total of 130 would have posed a significant challenge for the "Men in Blue."Despite a valiant bowling effort that saw India struggle to chase down a modest target of 111, Jones acknowledged that his team fell short in the batting department. "10-15 runs short. If we got 130 then it would have been a tough total," he said.Jones praised his bowlers for their discipline and determination, particularly in the early stages of India's chase. However, he lamented the missed opportunities that prevented them from capitalizing on the early dismissals of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma."We were very disciplined and really proud of the bowling unit," Jones said. "Ali Khan came in and dismissed Rishabh Pant with a magnificent delivery, but we couldn't build on that."Looking ahead, Jones emphasized the need for restructuring and recalibration before their crucial match against Ireland on Friday. "We will have a few meetings and come back strong," he added.Jones also provided an update on captain Monank Patel, who missed the India clash due to a niggle. "Mostly he should be fit for the last game," he said.In their final group stage match, the USA will face Ireland with the aim of securing a berth in the Super 8.

The United States' triumph over Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, highlighting the growing prowess of the American team. Despite cricket's relative obscurity in the US compared to its immense popularity in nations like England, the US team has made a resounding statement.Cricket, with its unique terminology and gameplay, shares some similarities with baseball, but the differences are significant. The purposeful bouncing of the ball by the pitcher and the scoring of runs through various means set cricket apart.This year's T20 World Cup has brought cricket to the forefront in the US, with matches taking place across New York, Texas, Florida, and the Caribbean. The US team, with a history dating back to the mid-19th century, is set to face India on Wednesday in Long Island, a match that is expected to draw a passionate crowd from the South Asian diaspora.Despite the anticipated support for India, the American team, comprising players with roots in cricket hotbeds such as India, Pakistan, South Africa, and the Caribbean, remains unfazed. Aaron Jones, the team's top batter, expressed excitement at the prospect of playing against the best in the world, including Indian stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma."I think the crowd will be supporting both teams, to be honest," Jones said. "We have a lot of Indian players on our team as well. So, I think the crowd will be supporting both teams."The United States' victory against Pakistan was unexpected, but it has positioned them well in the tournament. A win against India would further solidify their standing, but even a loss would not eliminate them from contention. The team's focus remains on the match at hand, with the goal of advancing to the Super 8 stage of the competition."With cricket being one of the biggest sports in the world, it’s only a matter of time before the majority of people come on board as it relates to American born and raised people," Jones said. "I think America is a place where people love sports and obviously this World Cup is going to open the eyes of a lot of people, and then in a few years obviously with cricket being in the Olympics, that’s a very big thing as well."As cricket gains momentum in the United States, with its inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the establishment of the Major League Cricket professional circuit, the sport is poised for a resurgence in the country. The T20 World Cup serves as a platform to showcase the talent and potential of the US team, and their success could be instrumental in garnering support and enthusiasm for cricket among American-born and raised individuals.

USA's Aaron Jones Eager to Face Indian Cricket Legends in T20 World CupAhead of the highly anticipated T20 World Cup clash between India and the USA, American batter Aaron Jones has expressed his excitement about the prospect of facing renowned Indian cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.The Group A encounter, scheduled for Wednesday in New York, has garnered significant attention due to the presence of high-profile players on both sides. Both teams have showcased impressive performances so far, securing two victories each in the tournament."It's actually exciting. Growing up as a kid, I always wanted to play against the best players in the world," Jones said in the pre-match press conference. "I'm definitely going to get the opportunity to do that now, and it's exciting for me. I don't want to say intimidating."Jones added that he is eager to not only play against Sharma and Kohli but also engage with them. "I'm excited to play against them and talk to them. Definitely to beat them as well," he said.The US team features several players of Indian descent who have previously played cricket alongside some of the current Indian team members. Jones mentioned that these players are thrilled to reconnect with their former colleagues."They're pretty excited to be honest. This is the first time USA will be playing against India. So many guys in our team are from India, they actually played against and with so many guys back in the past, so they definitely (would) be excited to play against some friends for sure," he said.Jones expressed his belief that cricket has the potential to capture a larger share of the American sports enthusiasts' attention following the conclusion of this World Cup."With cricket being one of the biggest sports in the world, it's only a matter of time before a majority of people come on board," he said. "America is a place where people love sports. Obviously, this World Cup is going to open the eyes of a lot of people, and then in a few years, you have cricket in the Olympics — that's a very big thing as well. I think everything is on the rise right now."

USA vs Pakistan: A Thrilling Encounter in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024The Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Dallas will host a highly anticipated clash between the USA and Pakistan in Match 11 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. Scheduled for June 6 at 09:00 PM IST, this match promises to be a captivating spectacle.USA's Strong Start and Pakistan's DebutThe USA, having already played one match in the tournament, will aim to maintain their position at the top of the points table. Pakistan, on the other hand, will be making their tournament debut. Despite their recent mixed form, Pakistan will be eager to kick off their campaign with a positive result.Key Players to WatchUSA:* Aaron Jones: A top-order batter with a knack for both anchoring and aggressive play.* Steven Taylor: A versatile all-rounder who contributes with both bat and ball.* Harmeet Singh: A slow left-arm orthodox bowler who provides crucial middle-over spells.Pakistan:* Shaheen Afridi: A left-arm fast bowler known for his wicket-taking ability.* Babar Azam: A top-order batter who anchors the innings and plays aggressive cricket.* Mohammad Rizwan: A top-order batter and wicketkeeper who adds value with his dual role.Match Preview and PredictionsPakistan's strong batting lineup, led by Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, will pose a significant challenge to the USA's bowling attack. However, the USA's recent form and key performers, such as Aaron Jones and Steven Taylor, could make this match a closely contested affair.Pakistan will be looking to start their tournament journey with a win, while the USA will be determined to solidify their position at the top of the table. Fans can expect an exciting battle under the lights at the Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium.

USA's Aaron Jones has emerged as a cricketing sensation after his explosive performance in the T20 World Cup match against Canada. His unbeaten 94 off just 40 deliveries propelled the co-hosts to a remarkable seven-wicket victory, etching his name in the tournament's record books.Jones's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, featuring four boundaries and an astonishing 10 sixes. His strike rate of 235.00 left the cricket world in awe. The knock enabled USA to chase down a daunting target of 195, marking the third-highest successful run chase in T20 World Cup history.The 29-year-old batter's heroics also brought to light an old tweet from 2012, where he expressed surprise at MS Dhoni not having scored a T20 half-century. Ironically, Dhoni retired a few years later with two T20I fifties to his name, with his highest score being 52.Jones's partnership with Andries Gous (55 off 33) was equally impressive, yielding 131 runs at a run rate of 14.29 per over. This partnership stands as the highest fourth-wicket or below stand in T20 World Cup history.The USA's victory was a significant achievement for an associate member of the ICC. Their total of 197/3 is the highest ever by an associate member in T20 World Cup history.Jones's performance has not only earned him plaudits but has also raised hopes for the future of cricket in the United States. His ability to clear the boundary with ease and his aggressive approach have made him a fan favorite.As the T20 World Cup progresses, Jones will undoubtedly be one to watch. His explosive batting and fearless attitude could lead USA to further success and inspire a new generation of cricketers in the country.