Cricket

The inaugural Global Super League, a groundbreaking T20 competition, is set to kick off on November 26, featuring a diverse lineup of teams from around the world. The opening match will pit the Guyana Amazon Warriors (Caribbean Premier League) against the Lahore Qalandars (Pakistan Super League).The five-team tournament also includes Hampshire Hawks (T20 Blast), Rangpur Riders (BPL), and Victoria (Australia state team). Eleven matches, culminating in the final on December 7, will be played across as many days. Each team will face each other once, with the top two advancing to the championship match.The Global Super League aims to showcase the best of international club cricket and establish Guyana as a global sporting destination. The tournament has received the sanction of Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the full support of the Guyanese government.However, the scheduling of the Global Super League coincides with other major cricket events, potentially affecting player availability. The West Indies will be hosting Bangladesh for two Tests during the same period, which could impact the Guyana Amazon Warriors, who have several players in the West Indies Test squad.Similarly, the Pakistan tour of South Africa, starting with T20Is on December 10, may affect the availability of players from the Lahore Qalandars, including captain Shaheen Afridi and star batsman Babar Azam.Despite these potential scheduling conflicts, the Global Super League is expected to attract top talent and provide a thrilling spectacle for cricket fans worldwide. The tournament offers a unique opportunity for teams from different leagues and countries to compete against each other, showcasing the diversity and depth of T20 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.

Imran Tahir, the 45-year-old captain of Guyana Amazon Warriors, has become the first overseas bowler to reach 100 wickets in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The milestone came in Amazon Warriors' successful defense of 135 against Antigua and Barbuda Falcons at the Providence Stadium.Tahir's achievement is a testament to his longevity and skill. He has been a key figure for Amazon Warriors since joining the franchise in 2016, leading them to their first CPL title last season. Despite facing an injury setback this season, Tahir returned to action and guided Amazon Warriors into the playoffs once again.The veteran spinner credited his team's success to the support of the Guyana crowd. "The support we get here from people is incredible," Tahir said. "They are always here every single game and it's sold out. As a professional sportsman, you want to play somewhere where you really enjoy and that's what we felt over the years."Tahir's 100th CPL wicket came at a crucial moment in the match. With Falcons chasing 135, Tahir dismissed Hassan Khan for 10, reducing them to 41 for 3. The spinner then trapped Kofi James for 27, further denting Falcons' hopes.Amazon Warriors' batters also played a crucial role in the victory. Moeen Ali's calculated 42 off 33 balls helped propel the team to 135 for 7. The English all-rounder targeted left-arm spinner Imad Wasim for a sequence of boundaries in the 19th over, changing the momentum of the match.Meanwhile, Falcons captain Chris Green reflected on his team's group-stage exit. Despite some promising performances, Green acknowledged that fielding and a lack of big runs let them down. However, he was encouraged by the emergence of young players like Jewel Andrew, Justin Greaves, and Shamar Springer.

Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) have received a significant boost with the return of Chris Jordan for the home leg of the CPL 2024, starting on September 18. The England international, who previously played for TKR in 2019, will replace injured USA fast bowler Ali Khan.Jordan's return is a welcome addition to TKR's bowling attack, having taken seven wickets in five matches during their 2019 campaign. His experience and skill will be crucial as TKR aims to improve upon their performance in the tournament.Meanwhile, defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors have suffered a setback with captain Imran Tahir ruled out for approximately ten days due to injury. Tahir, the oldest player in the CPL at 45, has been a key figure for Amazon Warriors, but his absence will be a significant blow.Shai Hope, who captained the team in Tahir's absence in their last match, will continue to lead the side. However, the team will also miss the services of all-rounder Romario Shepherd, who is recovering from a toe injury.To compensate for Tahir's absence, Amazon Warriors have signed Nathan Sowter, an Australia-born English wristspinner. Sowter has impressed in franchise cricket, winning back-to-back titles with Oval Invincibles under Tom Moody.Despite the setbacks, Amazon Warriors remain confident in their ability to perform well. Hope acknowledged the importance of Tahir's absence but emphasized the need for the team to step up and find ways to compensate for his loss.

Alzarri Joseph's Frustration Boils Over in Intense CPL ClashIn a thrilling Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024 encounter between the Saint Lucia Kings and the Guyana Amazon Warriors, tempers flared as Alzarri Joseph's frustration reached boiling point.With Guyana closing in on victory, Joseph bowled to Shimron Hetmyer in the ninth over. Hetmyer backed away and punched the ball straight back to the bowler. In a moment of visible frustration, Joseph grabbed the ball and angrily hurled it down towards the batter's end, followed by a sharp stare at Hetmyer.The intensity of the moment was palpable as Guyana needed less than 10 runs to secure victory. However, Hetmyer had the perfect response. On the very next ball, he stepped back and unleashed a monstrous six over long-on, almost sealing the game in style for the Guyana Amazon Warriors.The powerful shot not only brought the chasing side to the brink of ending the match but also served as the perfect answer to Joseph's earlier outburst. In the very next over, the Warriors won by six wickets, chasing down Saint Lucia's modest total of 101 in just 10 overs. Hetmyer remained unbeaten with eight off three balls.The brief but fiery exchange highlighted the competitive spirit of the CPL and left fans talking about the intense clash between bowler and batter. Joseph's frustration was understandable, given the pressure he was under, but Hetmyer's response was a testament to his skill and composure under pressure.

England all-rounder Moeen Ali is set to make his Caribbean Premier League (CPL) debut with defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors, replacing Pakistan opener Saim Ayub. Ayub's absence is a significant blow for the Warriors, as he was their breakout star in their title-winning campaign last season.Moeen's availability is subject to Birmingham Bears' progress in the T20 Blast in the UK. If the Bears reach the Finals Day on September 14, Moeen will join the Warriors later in the tournament. Until then, New Zealand opener Tim Robinson will serve as his temporary replacement.Robinson is a hard-hitting batsman who has impressed in the Super Smash and made his T20I debut for New Zealand. He will provide the Warriors with an explosive option at the top of the order.Even after Moeen arrives, Robinson will remain with the squad, filling in for Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who will leave for international duty after the Barbados leg of the CPL. Gurbaz will return for the last leg in Guyana.In Ayub's absence, the Warriors have experimented with Gudakesh Motie and Kevin Sinclair as openers. However, the signings of Moeen and Robinson give them the option of using proper batters at the top.The Warriors have made a strong start to their title defense, winning both their games so far. Moeen's arrival will further bolster their squad and make them one of the favorites to retain their title.

Women's Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Gears Up with Exciting Player SigningsThe third edition of the Women's Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is set to ignite the cricketing world from August 21 to 29 in Trinidad. The three franchises, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Barbados Royals, and Trinbago Knight Riders, have bolstered their squads with a host of talented players.Guyana Amazon WarriorsThe Amazon Warriors have made a significant addition to their lineup with the signing of England wicketkeeper-batter Lauren Winfield-Hill. Winfield-Hill brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the team. They have also drafted in former West Indies Under-19 captain Ashmini Munisar, offspinner Sheneta Grimmond, uncapped allrounder Realeanna Grimmond, left-arm spinner Kaysia Schultz, and Nyia Latchman. Jamaican seamer Kate Wilmott completes the Warriors' roster.Barbados RoyalsThe defending champions, Barbados Royals, have retained the core of their title-winning squad. Wicketkeeper Rashada Williams and batter Trishan Holder return to the team. They have also added seam-bowling allrounder Shabika Gajnabi, seamer Cherry Ann Fraser, and batter Djenaba Joseph, who all played for the Amazon Warriors last year.Trinbago Knight RidersTrinbago Knight Riders have retained Kyshona Knight, Anisa Mohammed, and young wicketkeeper Shunelle Sawh from their previous squad. Batters Jannillea Glasgow and Chedean Nation, who were with the Royals in WCPL 2023, have moved to TKR for the upcoming season.Tournament DetailsAll seven matches of the WCPL will be played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad. The tournament promises to showcase the best female cricketers from around the world, including international stars like Stafanie Taylor, Shabnim Ismail, Deandra Dottin, and Meg Lanning.

Guyana Amazon Warriors Bolster Squad with Chloe Tryon and Erin Burns for WCPL 2024Ahead of the 2024 Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), Guyana Amazon Warriors have made significant additions to their squad by signing South African allrounder Chloe Tryon and Australian allrounder Erin Burns.Tryon, a seasoned campaigner with 98 T20I appearances for South Africa, brings a wealth of experience and versatility to the Amazon Warriors. She has amassed 1136 runs and claimed 35 wickets in the shortest format of the game. Currently touring India with the South African national team, Tryon is known for her power-hitting and ability to contribute with the ball.Burns, on the other hand, has played 162 T20 matches, including 117 in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) for Sydney Sixers and Hobart Hurricanes. She has accumulated 2429 runs and taken 80 wickets in T20 cricket. Burns was part of the Barbados Royals team that emerged victorious in the 2023 WCPL.The Amazon Warriors, who reached the final of the tournament last season under the leadership of Stafanie Taylor, have retained the services of several key players. Taylor, Shabnim Ismail, Karishma Ramharack, Shemaine Campbelle, Natasha McClean, and Shakera Selman will continue to form the core of the team.With the addition of Tryon and Burns, the Amazon Warriors have strengthened their batting and bowling departments. They still need to fill seven more spots in their 15-member squad. Six of these players will be selected through the WCPL draft scheduled for July, while the remaining overseas pick will be announced before the start of the season.The 2024 WCPL will take place in Trinidad from August 21 to 29, with all seven matches being played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The tournament, now in its third season, will feature Trinbago Knight Riders, Amazon Warriors, and Royals as the participating teams.