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.

West Indies, aiming to secure a home World Cup victory, have identified a crucial area for improvement: their batting performance in the middle overs. Their average and run-rate during this phase have been the lowest in the tournament, with a wicket lost every 20 balls despite scoring only 123 runs per 100 balls.The team's struggles in the middle overs were evident in their defeat to England, where they scored just 40 runs from overs seven to 11. Recognizing this weakness, they resolved to improve in subsequent matches.Roston Chase, a key member of the West Indies squad, acknowledges the team's shortcomings in this phase. "We struggled in that period after the powerplay against England," he admits. "We've discussed it, and the guys executed well today."Chase's role in the middle overs may involve providing stability and keeping the strike rotating. "My job is to give the hitters the strike and let them hit it for six," he explains. "I'm there to transition between boundaries and keep the strike moving."In the absence of Brandon King, Shai Hope is likely to open the batting for West Indies. Hope has the potential to bat through the middle overs without getting bogged down.South Africa, the undefeated team in the tournament, poses a significant challenge for West Indies. South Africa has been known to choke out opponents in the middle overs, as they did against England in their previous match.Therefore, the outcome of the upcoming contest between West Indies and South Africa may hinge on the teams' performances in the middle overs. West Indies must address their weaknesses in this phase to secure a victory and recreate the joy they experienced at Kensington Oval against USA.

West Indies' dominance was on full display as they crushed the United States of America by nine wickets in the T20 World Cup 2024. The victory was a testament to the team's all-around brilliance, with the spinners leading the charge in the bowling department and Shai Hope unleashing a brutal assault with the bat.Roston Chase, the experienced off-spinner, was the star of the show with the ball. He ripped through the USA's middle order, claiming three wickets for just 19 runs. His economical spell set the tone for the West Indies' bowling attack, which restricted the Americans to a modest total of 128.Andre Russell, the enigmatic all-rounder, also played a crucial role with the ball. He picked up three wickets for 31 runs, including the prized scalp of USA captain Monank Patel. The West Indies' spinners kept the USA batsmen in check, with only Steven Taylor (29) and Gajanand Singh (25) managing to reach double figures.In response, the West Indies' chase was a masterclass in power-hitting. Shai Hope, who had been struggling for form in the tournament, exploded with an unbeaten 82 off just 39 balls. He smashed eight towering sixes, including three in a row off USA spinner Nisarg Patel.Nicholas Pooran provided excellent support to Hope, scoring an unbeaten 55 off 27 balls. The duo put on an unbroken 129-run partnership to seal the victory with 55 balls to spare. Hope's half-century came off just 26 balls, making it the fastest in T20 World Cup history for the West Indies.The victory was a resounding statement from the West Indies, who showed that they are a force to be reckoned with in this tournament. Their disciplined bowling and explosive batting will be a threat to any team they face.

Hardik Pandya's Caribbean Doppelgänger: A Hilarious Error in ICC T20 World Cup CoverageDuring the post-match coverage of the West Indies vs Papua New Guinea Group C game in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, a hilarious error occurred on Star Sports. After Roston Chase's unbeaten 42 guided West Indies to victory, viewers were surprised to see Hardik Pandya's image displayed instead of the West Indies batsman.The error sparked amusement among fans on social media, with the image quickly going viral. Many users drew comparisons between Hardik Pandya's appearance and the Caribbean lifestyle. A clip of Pandya's brother, Krunal, comparing him to a Caribbean person resurfaced."If you see a picture of Hardik as a child, you would think that this kid is from the Caribbean, not an Indian kid," joked Krunal in the clip from the YouTube series 'What The Duck'.Hardik Pandya's Caribbean likeness has been noted before. In an episode of Breakfast With Champions on YouTube, former India captain Sourav Ganguly remarked, "I met Hardik Pandya the other day, it seemed like he is Jamaican-born. He can't be from Baroda!"The error also provided a positive shift in social media's perception of Hardik Pandya, which had become increasingly negative since he replaced Rohit Sharma as captain of the Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2024.As vice-captain of the Indian team for the 2024 T20 World Cup, Pandya has a crucial role to play. He showcased his all-round abilities in India's warm-up match against Bangladesh, scoring 40 runs in 23 balls and taking a wicket.India will begin their quest for a second T20 World Cup title on June 5, facing Ireland in New York.

West Indies Maintain Winning Mentality in T20 World Cup OpenerWest Indies all-rounder Roston Chase has emphasized the team's unwavering commitment to maintaining a winning mentality regardless of the opponent, following their hard-fought five-wicket victory against Papua New Guinea in their opening match of the 2024 T20 World Cup.Chase played a pivotal role in salvaging the win for the co-hosts, rescuing them from a precarious position with a match-winning unbeaten knock of 42 runs. Papua New Guinea, despite not being considered a top-tier team, posed a significant challenge while defending their total of 137 with disciplined bowling and fielding.The West Indies struggled to rotate the strike throughout their innings, relying heavily on boundaries to keep up with the required run rate. Recognizing the need for a shift in approach, Chase emphasized the team's commitment to treating every opponent with the same level of respect and intensity."They're not an A-List team but we don't want to take any team lightly in the World Cup. We came out with the mentality that we were playing Australia or India," Chase stated in the post-match presentation.He further explained that the team had a crucial discussion at the halfway stage, recognizing the need to elevate their performance and secure the victory. This led to a more aggressive approach in the latter half of the innings, with Chase and Andre Russell combining to unleash a flurry of boundaries and steer the team home.Chase, reflecting on his match-winning performance, credited his preparation and the confidence gained from a recent training camp in Antigua. He acknowledged the challenging batting conditions, stating, "I knew that it was hard for the batters coming in, gave myself time and backed my skills."He further elaborated on his observations of the Papua New Guinea batsmen, noting, "I watched the PNG batters, they took their time and once they got in it was easy to score."This unwavering commitment to a winning mentality will be crucial for the co-hosts as they navigate the challenges of the tournament and strive for World Cup glory. While the Windies play Uganda on June 9, PNG will look to turn the tides against the same opposition on June 6.

West Indies clinched the three-match T20I series against South Africa with a resounding 16-run victory at Sabina Park. Batting first, West Indies posted a competitive 207 for 7, thanks to Roston Chase's maiden T20I half-century (67) and a late cameo from Romario Shepherd (32*).South Africa's chase started promisingly, with Quinton de Kock (41) leading the charge. However, the middle order faltered, and despite a valiant effort from Rassie van der Dussen (30), they fell short of the target. Gudakesh Motie was the star of the West Indies bowling attack, claiming career-best figures of 3 for 22.Chase's innings was a masterclass in adaptability. He paced his innings perfectly, hitting five boundaries behind square and two towering sixes. His partnership with Andre Fletcher (35) and Shepherd propelled West Indies to a strong total.South Africa's bowling was led by debutant Nqabayomzi Peter, who impressed with figures of 2 for 32. However, Anrich Nortje's return from injury was disappointing, as he conceded 47 runs in four wicketless overs.The victory marked West Indies' second consecutive series win against South Africa in T20Is. It also highlighted the team's growing depth and resilience, with several players stepping up in the absence of key regulars.For South Africa, the defeat extended their winless streak in T20I series to five. Their inability to handle spin remains a concern, as Motie's success demonstrated.

West Indies 'A' Team Arrives in Nepal for Historic T20 Series, Receives Surprising WelcomeThe West Indies 'A' cricket team arrived in Nepal on Wednesday, April 25, ahead of their highly anticipated five-match T20 series against the hosts. However, their arrival at the Kathmandu International Airport was met with an unexpected sight: a tempo waiting to transport their luggage.A viral video captured the West Indies players loading their luggage into the tempo with the assistance of an airport helper. The video sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some criticizing Nepal for the perceived lack of hospitality, while others defended the use of the tempo as a practical solution.Despite the unconventional welcome, the West Indies team remains focused on their upcoming series. Roston Chase will lead the team as captain, while Alick Athanaze will serve as his deputy. This tour marks a historic occasion as it is the West Indies' first-ever visit to Nepal.The series holds significant importance for both teams. For the West Indies, it serves as a crucial preparation phase for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. For Nepal, it provides an opportunity to test their skills against a formidable opponent and gain valuable experience.Chase, who will captain the West Indies 'A' team for the first time, expressed his excitement and determination. "I am honored to lead this talented group of players. We have been working hard in preparation for this series, and we are eager to showcase our skills against Nepal," he said.Desmond Haynes, CWI's Lead Selector, praised Chase's leadership qualities and consistent performances. "Chase has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and leadership abilities. We are confident that he will lead the team with distinction," Haynes said.The five-match T20 series between West Indies 'A' and Nepal will commence on April 27 in Kirtipur. The series is expected to be a competitive and entertaining affair, with both teams eager to prove their mettle.

Cricket West Indies has announced a formidable 15-member 'A' squad for their upcoming tour of Nepal, featuring a host of experienced T20 specialists. The tour, scheduled for later this month, marks the first time a West Indian side will visit Nepal and serves as a crucial preparation phase for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.Led by Roston Chase, the squad boasts a wealth of talent, including Fabian Allen, Johnson Charles, Mark Deyal, Andre Fletcher, Obed McCoy, and Hayden Walsh. Chase, initially known as a Test specialist, has made significant strides in T20 cricket since his debut in 2021.Desmond Haynes, West Indies' lead selector, emphasized the importance of the tour for players not involved in the Indian Premier League (IPL). "It provides an invaluable opportunity to get our players back on the park playing competitive T20 cricket," he said. "It also allows us to expose emerging prospects."The World Cup, to be co-hosted by the USA and West Indies in June, will feature Nepal among the 20 participating teams. West Indies white-ball coach Daren Sammy believes the Nepal tour will be crucial in refining the World Cup squad. "It offers us a chance to define roles and personnel more clearly," he said.Nine West Indians are currently participating in the IPL, including Andre Russell, Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran, and Rovman Powell. Their performances in the IPL will be closely monitored as West Indies seeks to gauge the depth of its T20 team.The West Indies 'A' squad will be coached by Floyd Reifer, assisted by Rayon Griffith. The tour will consist of five T20 matches, providing ample opportunities for the players to showcase their skills and prepare for the upcoming World Cup.