Cricket

West Indies have unveiled their 15-man squad for the upcoming three-Test series against England, scheduled to commence in July. The squad features the return of experienced all-rounder Jason Holder and promising fast bowler Jayden Seales, who missed the drawn series in Australia earlier this year.Holder, who opted to play in the ILT20 instead of the Australia tour, has earned a recall after showcasing his red-ball prowess for Barbados and Worcestershire. Despite being ruled out of the ongoing T20 World Cup due to an injury, he is expected to recover in time for the England series.Seales, who was sidelined for the Australia tour due to a shoulder injury, has impressed during his stint with Sussex in the County Championship. He is currently the joint-highest wicket-taker in Division Two and will provide a boost to the West Indies bowling attack.Apart from Holder and Seales, the squad boasts a formidable pace attack that includes Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, and Kemar Roach. Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who struggled in Australia, has been replaced by Mikyle Louis, the leading run-scorer in the West Indies Championship.Justin Greaves and Akeem Jordan have also been dropped from the squad, while 19-year-old fast bowler Isai Thorne will travel to the UK as a development player. The touring party will arrive in England on June 23 for a training camp before the three-day warm-up match against a County Select XI on July 3.Desmond Haynes, West Indies' lead selector, expressed confidence in the squad's balance and experience. He highlighted the team's progress in red-ball cricket and their determination to perform well in English conditions.West Indies have not won a Test series in England since 1988, but they will be aiming to replicate their success from the previous series between the two teams in early 2022. The first Test will begin on July 10 at Lord's, marking James Anderson's farewell as an England player.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has secured the services of legendary West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo as their bowling consultant for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. Bravo, a two-time T20 World Cup champion with the West Indies, will join the Afghan team in St Kitts and Nevis for a ten-day preparatory camp ahead of the tournament.Bravo, who retired from international cricket after the 2021 T20 World Cup, brings a wealth of experience to the Afghan bowling attack. He is the leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket history, with 625 scalps in 573 games. In addition to his playing experience, Bravo is also the bowling coach of the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL).Afghanistan's decision to appoint Bravo as their bowling consultant is a testament to their ambition to make a significant impact at the 2024 T20 World Cup. The team has already arrived in the Caribbean and will begin their preparations under Bravo's guidance.Afghanistan will play two warm-up matches before the start of the World Cup, against Oman on May 29 and Scotland on May 31. They will then face Uganda in their opening match of the tournament on June 5 in Providence.Another former West Indian player, Kieron Pollard, will also be involved in the 2024 T20 World Cup as the assistant coach of England. Pollard, who retired from international cricket in 2022, will bring his experience and leadership qualities to the English camp.The 2024 T20 World Cup will be a highly competitive tournament, with some of the best teams in the world vying for the title. Afghanistan will be hoping to make a strong impression under the guidance of Bravo and Pollard, and they will be determined to prove that they are a force to be reckoned with in the shortest format of the game.

Brandon King will lead the West Indies in the upcoming T20I series against South Africa, which serves as a crucial preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The series will provide an opportunity for players to showcase their skills and secure their place in the final squad or reserve pool.Full-time captain Rovman Powell will be absent due to his commitments with Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Several other key players, including Andre Russell, Shimron Hetmyer, Alzarri Joseph, and Sherfane Rutherford, will also miss the series due to IPL involvement or rest following the tournament.Nicholas Pooran and Shai Hope, who represented Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals in the IPL, have been rested. However, Joseph and Rutherford will join the T20I squad if their IPL teams fail to reach the final.Matthew Forde and Kyle Mayers, who were on the cusp of selection for the T20 World Cup, will feature against South Africa. Their performances in the series could determine their status as first reserves in case of injuries during the tournament.King was initially set to lead West Indies A on their recent tour of Nepal but was ruled out due to injury. Roston Chase took over the captaincy in his absence."These matches are crucial for our preparation ahead of the World Cup," said lead selector Desmond Haynes. "Players have the chance to refine their skills and ensure they are ready for the tournament."Head coach Daren Sammy emphasized the importance of team cohesion and momentum heading into the World Cup. "We haven't played together since the Australia series, but we've had an intense training camp in Antigua," he said. "Now we can integrate our IPL players and build momentum as a group."The series could mark the T20I debut of fast bowler Shamar Joseph, who has been included in the World Cup squad. He made only one appearance for Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL.After facing South Africa, West Indies will play a warm-up match against Australia on May 30.

Sri Lanka, fresh from securing their berth in the Women's T20 World Cup, will host West Indies for a three-match ODI and T20I series from June 15-28. The tour will serve as a crucial preparation for Sri Lanka ahead of the T20 Asia Cup, which they will also host starting July 20.For Sri Lanka, the series against West Indies will be their second bilateral T20I assignment this year, following their successful tour of South Africa in March and April. They are also scheduled to tour Ireland in August.West Indies, on the other hand, recently concluded a month-long tour of Pakistan, where they emerged victorious in both the ODI and T20I series. This tour of Sri Lanka will be their final competitive outing before the Women's T20 World Cup in October.The last time these two teams met in a bilateral series was in 2017, when West Indies swept Sri Lanka in both T20Is and ODIs. West Indies hold a dominant head-to-head record against Sri Lanka in T20Is, with 18 wins to Sri Lanka's 14. In ODIs, the contest has been closer, with West Indies winning 18 and Sri Lanka 14.However, this tour promises to be a more competitive affair, with Sri Lanka entering the series on the back of historic series wins over England, New Zealand, and South Africa in the past year.The ODI series, which is part of the ICC Women's Championship, will be played in Galle from June 15-21. The Women's Championship serves as a pathway to the 2025 ODI World Cup, with the top four teams apart from hosts India earning direct qualification. West Indies are currently seventh on the Women's Championship points table, while Sri Lanka are eighth.The T20Is will be held in Hambantota from June 24-28.

West Indies Cricket Board (CWI) has announced an exciting schedule of home tours for 2024, featuring visits from South Africa, England, and Bangladesh. The tours will provide ample opportunities for the West Indies team to prepare for the T20 World Cup and showcase their skills against some of the top cricketing nations.The home season kicks off with a three-match T20I series against South Africa in May, followed by a two-Test series in August. The Proteas will also play a four-day warm-up game in Tarouba before the Test matches.After a white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in October, West Indies will host England for a three-match ODI series and a five-match T20I series. The matches will be played across Antigua, Barbados, and St Lucia.Bangladesh will then visit the Caribbean for an all-format tour from November to December. The tour will include two Test matches, three ODIs, and three T20Is. West Indies will return to the Arnos Vale Ground in St Vincent for the first time since 2014 for the T20I series. Bangladesh will also play a warm-up game before the Tests in Antigua.CWI CEO Johnny Grave expressed his excitement about the upcoming tours, stating that they will provide valuable experience for the West Indies team. He also noted that Grenada and Dominica missed out on hosting games this year due to stadium improvements but will be included in the schedule for 2025.

West Indies' Hayley Matthews continued her exceptional form in Pakistan, leading her team to an emphatic eight-wicket victory in the final T20I in Karachi. Matthews' scintillating 78 off 59 deliveries propelled the visitors to a comfortable win, securing a 4-1 series triumph.Pakistan, batting first, made a promising start with a 38-run opening partnership between Ayesha Zafar and Sidra Ameen. However, West Indies' bowlers, led by legspinner Afy Fletcher, orchestrated a dramatic collapse. Fletcher claimed three wickets, while Qiana Joseph and Matthews chipped in with two each, restricting Pakistan to a modest 134 for 8.In response, West Indies displayed their dominance from the outset. Matthews, who had scored a century in the series opener, once again played a pivotal role. She shared a 103-run partnership with Shemaine Campbelle (33*), guiding her team towards victory with ten balls to spare.Matthews' innings was a masterclass in power-hitting. She struck 11 boundaries, including three sixes, and reached her half-century in just 34 deliveries. Campbelle, playing a supporting role, ensured that West Indies maintained a steady run rate throughout their chase.Pakistan's bowlers struggled to contain Matthews' onslaught. Sadia Iqbal dismissed Rashada Williams early on, but Matthews and Campbelle proved too strong for the home side's attack. Nashra Sandhu eventually dismissed Matthews, but by then, West Indies were on the cusp of victory.The win capped off a memorable tour for Matthews, who emerged as the standout performer for West Indies. Her consistent brilliance with both bat and ball played a crucial role in her team's series triumph.

Pakistan's women's cricket team finally secured their first victory of the tour against West Indies, showcasing a dominant performance in both batting and bowling. After winning the toss and electing to bat, West Indies struggled to gain momentum, with Sadia Iqbal and Nida Dar claiming three wickets each to restrict them to a mere 84 runs.Pakistan's chase was a stark contrast to their previous defeat in the third T20I. Led by Ayesha Zafar's composed 42 not out, they cruised to victory with 21 balls to spare. Zafar's innings was characterized by precise shot-making and boundary-hitting, ensuring a steady flow of runs.The victory marked a significant improvement for Pakistan, who had previously struggled to find their rhythm on the tour. The team's determination and focus were evident from the outset, with Qina Joseph's early dismissal setting the tone for a disciplined bowling performance.West Indies' batting woes were compounded by the loss of their captain, Hayley Matthews, who managed only a single run before being caught off Fatima Sana's bowling. Shemaine Campbelle's 26-run knock provided some resistance, but her untimely run-out triggered a collapse that saw West Indies lose four wickets for as many runs.Pakistan's openers, Sidra Ameen and Muneeba Ali, provided a solid start to the chase before falling in quick succession. However, Zafar and Gull Feroza took control, guiding Pakistan to victory with ease. Zafar's elegant boundary over mid-on sealed the win, marking a fitting end to a comprehensive performance.

West Indies emerged victorious in a nail-biting one-run triumph over Pakistan in the inaugural women's T20I encounter in Karachi. The visitors, batting first, posted a modest 122 runs, thanks to a disciplined bowling performance from Pakistan, led by Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal.However, West Indies' bowlers responded with equal determination, restricting Pakistan's chase and turning it into a tense affair that went down to the wire. In the end, it came down to two runs off the final delivery, but Shamilia Connell's accurate bowling and Shemaine Campbelle's swift run-out sealed the victory for the Caribbean side.Pakistan's bowlers started strongly, with Iqbal dismissing Hayley Matthews for a duck on the second ball. Diana Baig then trapped Campbelle behind, leaving West Indies reeling at 14 for two. Qiana Joseph and Stafanie Taylor steadied the innings, but Pakistan's bowlers kept them in check.Chedean Nation and Chinelle Henry provided valuable cameos, helping West Indies reach a run-a-ball mark. However, Pakistan maintained a slight edge at the halfway point.Pakistan's chase began promisingly, with Sidra Ameen's aggressive 23 putting them ahead of the required run rate. But the loss of Ameen and Gull Feroza in quick succession brought West Indies back into the game. Karishma Ramharack's dismissal of Ayesha Zafar further boosted West Indies' hopes.Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof's 24-ball 27 gave Pakistan a glimmer of hope, but West Indies' bowlers held their nerve. The final over proved to be a rollercoaster of emotions, with Najiha Alvi's exquisite cover drive for four bringing Pakistan within touching distance of victory. However, Connell's dot ball and Campbelle's run-out ensured West Indies' triumph.

Sunil Narine, the enigmatic West Indian spinner, has hinted at a potential return to international cricket for the T20 World Cup in 2024. Narine, who announced his retirement from international cricket in November 2023, has been coaxed by West Indies T20I captain Rovman Powell to reconsider his decision.After hitting a magnificent century for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Narine hinted at a possible change of heart. "It is what it is, but let's see what the future holds," Narine said when asked about his retirement decision.Powell has been persistent in his efforts to convince Narine to return, revealing that he has been "whispering in his ears" for the past 12 months. "I've asked [Kieron] Pollard, [Dwayne] Bravo, [Nicholas] Pooran. Hopefully, before they select the team, they can crack his code," Powell said.Powell himself played a crucial role in Rajasthan Royals' victory over Kolkata Knight Riders, hitting 26 off 13 balls at a crucial stage of the chase. He praised the team management for their communication and support, even when he was not playing.Powell also revealed that he has been lobbying for a batting promotion, likening his batting position to that of his role in the West Indies team. "I told them, 'hey, I bat at No. 4 or 5 for West Indies and if you think West Indies is a good T20 side, then you can push me up the order," he said.The emotions at the end of the match were described by Powell as a "roller-coaster ride" as Royals pulled off the highest successful chase in IPL history. He admitted that he had not planned to take on Narine but reacted to the situation and backed his strengths.