Interim West Indies head coach, Floyd Reifer.

(CMC) – Twenty20 skipper Carlos Brathwaite has praised the influence of interim West Indies head coach Floyd Reifer in the Caribbean’s capture of T20 series against Bangladesh.

The Windies produced a strong all-round performance in Saturday’s final match at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, to come away with an emphatic 50-run victory and clinch the series 2-1.

Brathwaite revealed that Reifer had taken up the position ahead of the series and his encouragement to the squad had a galvanising effect.

“Floyd has been tremendous for us since he came on. [He’s brought] a lot of positivity,” Brathwaite said following the win.

“Obviously I’ve worked with him back home and he’s shared that positivity with the guys, and he’s always been [saying] ‘we need to win games, we need to win series. We’re a champion team’. And for a coach who’s taking his first taste at the international level to come and bring that positivity and that passion, it seeped right through the group.”

Reifer, a former West Indies captain, is an experienced coach who has worked extensively with the Combined Campuses and Colleges, based in Barbados. He has coached West Indies A and was drafted into the senior Windies set-up for the recent tour of India when Toby Radford fell ill.

Cricket West Indies had announced South African Nic Pothas as the interim coach ahead of the Bangladesh series, after Australian Stuart Law’s abrupt departure following the tour of India.

The T20 series win over Bangladesh was crucial for West Indies, especially after being whitewashed 2-0 in the preceding Tests and and going down 2-1 in the one-dayers.

They won the opening T20I by eight wickets but played poorly in the second match to lose by 36 runs. However, they rebounded to win the final match here, thanks to Evin Lewis’s 89 and 20-year-old seamer Keemo Paul’s career-best five for 15.

Brathwaite said the result was the team’s gift to supporters back home.

“This victory is for all the people in the Caribbean – Merry Christmas to you all – and as a team, we’re just happy we can leave Asia with something in the bag,” he said.

Following the defeat in the second match, Brathwaite had promised the Windies would bring their A-game for the finale.

And they displayed their intent from the start, rallying to a challenging 190 after being sent in, before bowling aggressively to bundle Bangladesh out for 140.

“We’re very happy. As a batting unit and as a team, we said we wanted to be aggressive [and] we wanted to be positive and it goes to show,” Brathwaite said.

“All three games we batted superbly and obviously in the two games we blew them away we had 91 [runs] in the first six [overs] and 88 in the first six – you don’t get that every day.

“But with our power and with our skill-set, we believe if we do the right things and show the right intent, more often than not we can get off to starts such as that, and we’re also wary that if it doesn’t come off, that we need to bat well and keep that intent going.”

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Fast bowler Jofra Archer.

(CMC) – Barbadian fast bowling sensation Jofra Archer starred yet again as he helped power Hobart Hurricanes to a six-wicket win over Dwayne Bravo’s Melbourne Stars in the Australian Big Bash here Monday.

The 23-year-old, currently eyeing selection for England’s World Cup campaign, snatched three wickets which restricted Stars to 155 for five off their 20 overs at Bellerive Oval.

Sent in, Stars were set back early when Archer removed both openers inside the first six overs, with Travis Dean (11) and Ben Dunk (10) both departing cheaply with 32 on the board.

Captain Glenn Maxwell then stroked 47 from 31 balls with five sixes, reviving the innings in an 87-run, third wicket stand with Nick Larkin whose 45 required 33 deliveries.

When both fell in successive overs to leave the Stars on 123 for four in the 16th over, Marcus Stoinis chipped in with a 15-ball unbeaten 22 to keep the innings going.

However, there was no such enterprise from Bravo who laboured for a run-a-ball 12 before holing out to square on the leg-side.

Archer finished with three for 25 from his four overs.

In reply, captain Matthew Wade hit 52 off 37 balls, putting on 55 for the first wicket with D’Arcy Short who made 34.

Ben McDermott (28) and George Bailey (27) added 52 for the third wicket to keep Hobart on course for victory.

Bravo’s first over leaked 20 runs and overall conceded 38 runs from three overs.

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Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel

(CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago Red Force will be boosted for their third round match in the Regional four-day championship next week by the return of four West Indies players.

Batsman Darren Bravo, wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin, fast bowler Shannon Gabriel and left-arm spinner Khary Pierre are all available for the clash with Leeward Islands Hurricanes starting January 4 at the Brian Lara Stadium.

“I spoke to Ramdin … and he assured me that he would be available for the next round and he don’t have any T20 contracts. That shows me that he’s committed,” the NewsDay quoted head coach Kelvin Williams as saying.

“Darren Bravo will be available [as well as] Shannon Gabriel and Khary Pierre. So these guys will be available.

“I am a part of the selection panel. We’ll have to sit down and decide the combination for the game against the Leeward Islands.”

Bravo, Ramdin and Pierre were part of the West Indies squad which won the Twenty20 series in Bangladesh last weekend. Gabriel, meanwhile, featured in the Test series whitewash to Bangladesh last month, playing the first Test before being suspended for the second.

Red Force lost their opening match of the first class championship, going down by 76 runs to Windward Islands Volcanoes in the second round. Therefore, the return of the senior players will be welcomed, as Red Force seek to finally kick-start their season.

Williams said Red Force had been let down by their batsmen against Volcanoes.

“I did expect the batters to do well. Bowling out the Windwards for 206 and having a lead of 19, I thought that lead was not sufficient in the situation that we actually [found] ourselves in,” he pointed out.

“I thought we would have scored [over] 300 runs and gave them [a big] lead. If we had [done] that, the game would have been easily won by us.

“I’m hoping that they’ll be fresh after the New Year. It’s just four days practice before the next game and I’m hoping that we can do better than what we did against the Volcanoes.”

Red Force will resume training on Friday following the Christmas holiday break.

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Levern Spencer

(SNO) — Saint Lucia and the Caribbean’s leading high jumper, Levern Donaline Spencer, will be the presumptive favourite to win a record 15th title as Saint Lucia’s Sportswoman of the Year in 2019.

Spencer has been confirmed by the St. Lucia Athletics Association as Senior Female Athlete of the Year for 2018.

The 34-year-old from Babonneau had one of the best years in a sterling career in 2018. She captured Saint Lucia’s first-ever gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, when she cleared 1.95m in Gold Coast, Australia last April. She followed that up by repeating as Central American and Caribbean Games champion in Barranquilla, Colombia, and North and Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) champion in Toronto, Canada. Those latter two titles, each of which she had won three times in a row, came within a week of one another.

To cap off her season, Spencer took bronze at the IAAF Continental Cup in Ostrava, the Czech Republic in September. For the season, she cleared 1.90m or better 12 times, and attained her second-best height all-time, 1.96m, which also ranked as the eighth-best height outdoors for 2018.

Meanwhile, Commonwealth Youth Games champion and Youth Olympics silver medallist in the women’s 100m, Julienne Alfred, has been named Junior Female Athlete of the Year. The 17-year-old took bronze for her high school, St Catherine’s, at the ISSA Boys and Girls Champs in March. She made the finals of the Flow CARIFTA Games in Nassau, the Bahamas, also in March, but then capped her year with a blazing fast run at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Alfred will be starting school at the University of Texas in January 2019.

Alfred (centre)

Albert Reynolds is Saint Lucia’s Senior Male Athlete of the Year for 2018. The national record holder for the men’s javelin throw, he made the Commonwealth Games finals in April, and then won the French National Championships in July.

Reynolds

And sprints specialist Shelton St Rose is Junior Male Athlete of the Year for 2018. St Rose competed for Saint Lucia at the Flow CARIFTA Games, was fourth in the Hampton Games in Trinidad and Tobago, won the Windward Islands School Games gold medal, and then finished fifth overall, a fine performance in the men’s 100m at the Youth Olympics.

St. Rose in front

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(BBC) — Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa has vowed to “take down” boxing legend Floyd Mayweather in their three-round exhibition match in Japan on Monday.

Former five-weight world champion Mayweather, 41, will come out of retirement to fight Nasukawa over three rounds of boxing in Saitama.

Nasukawa competes in the RIZIN Fighting Federation in both kickboxing and mixed martial arts.

“People in Japan, listen. I will take down Mayweather,” said the 20-year-old.

“You should look forward to it.”

Speaking at a news conference, Mayweather, who beat UFC’s Conor McGregor in a boxing match in August 2017, promised to “entertain”.

Monday’s fight will follow boxing rules and consist of three, three-minute rounds, with Nasukawa forbidden from kicking.

Both Mayweather and Nasukawa are undefeated in their respective sports but neither’s perfect record will be on the line because of the exhibition nature of the bout.

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Chanderpaul

(CMC) – Legendary former West Indies batsman, Shiv Chanderpaul, has been appointed interim assistant coach of Guyana Jaguars.

The 44-year-old fills the breach created by the secondment of head coach Esuan Crandon to the West Indies coach staff.

Rayon Griffith, the former Guyana fast bowler, will replace Crandon with Chanderpaul taking the vacant spot.

“He will definitely be assisting the batters,” Griffith was quoted as saying.

“He has been around this set up for many years during the team’s success and I think it is best for a man like him to be around this set up.”

In announcing Chanderpaul’s appointment, the Guyana Cricket Board said the move came at an “imperative time in the development of Guyana’s cricket, where the utilization of knowledgeable and experienced coaches can lend effective support to the program which has shown significant growth.”

“Shiv’s appointment is aided by his on and off field experiences in the sport. He has been a very productive ambassador having played all levels of cricket and it is expected that he will transfer valuable knowledge to the Jaguars,” the GCB statement continued.

Jaguars are four-time reigning first class champions and are currently leading the standings following four rounds of matches in the ongoing 2018-19 season.

Chanderpaul scored 11 867 runs from 164 Tests to be the second-leading run-getter for West Indies in the longest format behind Brian Lara.

He was controversially dropped from the West Indies side in 2015 before calling time on his career eight months later.

However, he continued to represent Jaguars in the first class championship, topping the side’s batting charts in the 2016-17 season.

Chanderpaul also turned out for English county Lancashire last season.

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Left-hander Vishaul Singh

(CMC) – England’s bowlers brutally exposed the frailty of the CWI President XI’s batting here Wednesday, as the opening two-day tour match finished in a farcical draw at the 3W’s Oval here.

Responding to the visitors’ 317 on day one, the President’s XI crumbled for 128 as seamers Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad and Sam Curran scythed through the innings.

Left-hander Vishaul Singh resisted with 35 and captain Jahmar Hamilton got 25, but Raymon Reifer (17) and tail-ender Bryan Charles (13) were the only others to reach double figures.

Once the innings folded just before the scheduled tea break, the President’s XI were allowed to continue batting, and lost another nine wickets in adding a further 75 runs in an extended first innings.

More worryingly, West Indies’ latest batting recruit John Campbell, failed to spend any time at the crease in any of his two appearances. He faced 14 balls for his one and was run out, also for one, after spending just seven balls at the crease when he returned for his second stint.

Vishaul was the only batsman to show any resistance the second time around, hitting 25.

Earlier, England’s seamers swept aside the President’s XI top order, to leave the hosts tottering on 64 for five at lunch.

Campbell perished in the morning’s third over, nicking a tentative drive at Anderson behind and Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood following in the next over, caught at gully for two off Curran.

Left-hander Chandrapaul Hemraj played back to Anderson and was lbw for three in the seventh over at 11 for three and with two runs added, Sunil Ambris (5) was squared up by Curran and caught behind.

Vishaul then steadied the innings, albeit temporarily, putting on 33 for the fifth wicket with Hamilton, 25 for the sixth wicket with Devon Thomas (4) and a further 35 for the seventh with Reifer.

All told, Vishaul faced 125 balls in just over 2-½ hours and counted five fours.

Anderson and Broad finished the day with four wickets apiece while Curran claimed a brace.

A second two-day match is carded for the same venue starting Thursday.

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Darren Bravo

(CMC) – Darren Bravo’s 27-month exile from Test cricket finally ended on Tuesday, when he was named in a 13-man squad to face England in the opening Test of the three-Test series at Kensington Oval next week.

The left-hander is one of several changes to the squad which suffered an embarrassing whitewash in Bangladesh last November, with Windies A batsman Shamarh Brooks and John Campbell called up for the first time, and fast bowler Alzarri Joseph returning following injury.

Batsmen Kieran Powell and Sunil Ambris, along with leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo have all been axed, while regular captain Jason Holder returns to lead the squad after missing the tour of Bangladesh through injury.

The selection of the 29-year-old Bravo brings to an end a bitter saga which had dragged on ever since he was sent home in November, 2016 for an ill-advised rant aimed at Cricket West Indies president, Dave Cameron, and which led to an acrimonious stand-off with the regional board.

And even though the board announced an end to the impasse in July, 2017 and indicated the Trinidadian was “available with immediate effect to play in all forms of cricket”, he did not appear in a single representative West Indies team until he was chosen last October for the Twenty20 tour of India and the subsequent limited overs series in Bangladesh last month.

“With the return of Darren Bravo, who will add value to a batting department, we expect to see marked improvement,” chief selector Courtney Browne said.

However, Bravo enters the England series with only a single first class match under his belt since his last Test, after mainly plying his trade in the Twenty20 leagues across the globe.

Playing for his native Trinidad and Tobago Red Force last week against Jamaica Scorpions in Kingston, he had modest returns of 17 and 38.

Brooks, meanwhile, has gained the confidence of selectors after many years of promise but his selection comes at 30 and with him struggling so far in the first class championship, averaging a paltry 18 from six innings.

However, he excelled in the 2017-18 first class season, scoring 632 runs for Barbados Pride at an average of 48. The 25-year-old also topped the aggregates on the Windies A tour of England last summer, hitting an unbeaten hundred in the opening four-day Test against India A.

Campbell, too, had a productive last season for Scorpions, gathering 603 runs at an average of 43, before also averaging 37 for Windies A in the two four-day Tests against the Indians.

This season, he opened with a half-century against Barbados but has managed only 40 runs in three innings since.

The 22-year-old Joseph, meanwhile, has also found his way back into the squad after playing his last Test 18 months ago but there seems to be lingering concern over his fitness, with 21-year-old speedster Oshane Thomas called up as cover.

He appeared to make a full recovery from a back injury when he was picked for a tour match against Bangladesh last June, and when he subsequently played two one-dayers the following month.

But after being selected for the two-Test tour of India last September, he was suddenly replaced by Sherman Lewis, with CWI saying only that he needed “to continue his rehabilitation to full fitness for international competitions”.

Joseph has, however, bowled superbly in three matches of the first class season, grabbing 15 wickets for Leeward Islands Hurricanes.

“Young, exciting, fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, who was sidelined by injury, returns to the squad and Shamarh Brooks has been elevated for his solid first-class performances over the last three years,” Browne explained.

“John Campbell the incumbent ‘A’ team opener, who has played first class cricket for a number of years will open the batting after a good first-class season in 2018.”

Both Campbell and Joseph are turning out for the President’s XI in the first of two back-to-back two-day tour matches against England at the 3W’s Oval, UWI Cave Hill which started Tuesday.

There was disappointment, however, for left-handed opener Chandrapaul Hemraj who was overlooked despite his 623 runs last season and a scintillating 144 against Barbados in the third round of the first class championship two weeks ago.

The first Test bowls off January 23, with matches also carded for the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua from January 31 to February 4, and at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground from February 9-13.

SQUAD – Jason Holder (captain), Kraigg Brathwaite, Shai Hope, Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican, Shannon Gabriel.

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Late West Indies fast bowler, Malcolm Marshall.

(CMC) – One of the leading British publications has hailed legendary late Barbados and West Indies fast bowler, Malcolm Marshall, as the greatest fast bowler of all time.

The Daily Telegraph, under the headline “Memories of Marshall stir in Barbados”, described Marshall as the best of the best as in an era when “West Indies ruled game”.

Writing in his daily dispatch, veteran writer Scyld Berry noted: “Marshall is widely regarded as the best fast bowler ever. Of all pacemen, only Allan Davidson of Australia has taken 100 wickets for a lower average than Marshall who took 376 at 20.9 each. In Marshall’s first decade in the side (1977-1987) West Indies lost three Tests and were world champions”.

Berry is a former Editor of Wisden Cricket Almanack and is among the most respected writers in the modern game. He visited Marshall’s grave at the St Bartholomew Church in the southern parish of Christ Church to recount several memories.

Marshall died in Barbados on November 4, 1999 at the age of 41 after a battle with colon cancer.

“England had the first practice of their West Indian tour at the 3Ws Oval on the university campus at Cave Hill, where they will have four days of match practice ahead of the first Test starting a week on Wednesday,” Berry added.

“The ground was named after Frank Worrell, Clyde Walcott and Everton Weekes (who is still alive), all Barbadians knighted for their services to cricket. The nets are also named after a Barbadian, Malcolm Marshall although he was never knighted. In the West Indies, as in England, gongs go to batsmen, not bowlers.”

Born April 4, 1958 Marshall debuted for West Indies in India in 1978 as a little known medium-fast bowler, with just a single first-class matches under his belt. He however matured quickly and cemented his spot in the Test squad before dominating the world stage.

In his illustrious career, Marshall also took 157 wickets in 136 One-Day Internationals. He managed 1651 wickets at an amazing average of 19 runs per wickets in 408 first-class matches.

In his article Berry revealed a little known fact, which was Marshall’s displeasure bowling to left-handed batsmen.

“When the ball aged, instead of waiting for the second new ball, Marshall became even more skillful. He could cut the old ball both ways as well as swing both way, as nobody of his pace has done”, Berry noted. “He admitted one weakness ‘if I have one blind spot then is bowling to left-handers.

“I hate them, I struggle to get my angles right’ Marshall confessed in his autobiography called Marshall Arts. It is just as well – against right-handed batsmen in Tests, Marshall had a bowling average of 16, which is ridiculous.”

Berry ended on a telling note as he recounted Marshall’s finest hour on the field – bowling with a broken finger against England in 1984 and his biggest decision off the field – turning down a lucrative deal to play in South Africa in 1983 under the apartheid regime.

“Having broken his left thumb while fielding and after batting with only his right hand to help Larry Gomes to his century, Marshall steamed in with plaster cast on his left arm and took seven for 53.

“Dr Ali Bacher offered Marshall US$1 million to go to apartheid South Africa for a year. Maco refused. He was priceless. He was the all-time best.”

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Opener John Campbell … has praised the contribution of his grandfather.

(CMC) – New West Indies recruit John Campbell has credited the dedication of his grandfather, Clive Campbell, for paving the way for him to become a cricketer and reach as far as the the international stage.

The 25-year-old was on Tuesday named in the West Indies 13-man squad for the first Test of the Wisden Series against England starting next Wednesday at Kensington Oval.

Campbell, who hails from the parish of St Ann’s in Jamaica, has represented the region at all age group levels, and is relishing the chance to make his international debut.

“It’s a dream come true, a boyhood dream for me. I’m elated to be selected at the moment – I’m very, very happy,” the left-hander said.

“It’s been a while coming, from Under-15 all the way through the Jamaica team, through the ‘A’ team and now to reach this level. But not just me but also for my family… especially my grandfather.

“His name is Clive Campbell he was also my first coach and taught me many, many things about cricket and in life. I’m a country boy, as they say, so he helped me with my cricket and overall so it’s also his dream to see me play for the West Indies in a Test match.”

He continued: “Growing up in Jamaica, I always had that dream that one day I would make it. But dreams don’t work unless you do the work so I know there was a lot more to it than just the talent.

“My grandfather always talked about discipline and hard work and now I have reached this stage, now is where the work has to continue. I’m happy to get into the team, actually I feel great, but I know the game at this level (Test) is not going to be easy so I have to continue to push hard and stay very patient and disciplined.”

Campbell had a productive last season for Jamaica Scorpions in 2018, scoring 603 runs at an average of 43, before also averaging 37 for West Indies ‘A’ Team in the two four-day Tests against India in England last summer.

He is a product of the Tacky High School in St Mary’s and St Ann’s cricket club, which has also produced two other Test openers, Leon Garrick and Xavier Marshall.

Campbell said he was clear about how he wanted to approach his newest challenge.

“It’s Test cricket and you have to play situations. You have to be clear in your mind how to go about the game,” he pointed out.

“You have to be selective in your batting, you have to play to your strengths and be confident. We have a good team unit and I know most of my teammates very well. I have played with most of them at some level and we all get on very well, so I’m comfortable coming into the team.”

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Kieron Pollard … failed to make his mark.

(CMC) – Off-spinner Sunil Narine grabbed three wickets but then joined with high profile West Indies teammates, Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard, in failing with the bat as Dhaka Dynamites lost their first match of the Bangladesh Premier League with a 20-run defeat to Rajshahi Kings here Wednesday.

Asked to bowl first at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Dynamites limited Kings to 136 for six off their 20 overs, with the experienced Narine bowling superbly to finish with three for 19 from his four allotted overs.

Marshall Ayub top-scored with 45 from 31 deliveries, putting on 75 for the second wicket with opener Shahriar Nafees (25) in the best stand of the innings which pulled Kings around from two for one in the third over.

In reply, left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny bowled brilliantly to take three for eight from four overs while Test off-spinner Mehidy Hasan claimed two for eight from three overs, to keep Dynamites to a disappointing 116 for nine off their 20 overs.

They slumped to 23 for three in the fourth over and never really recovered, as Russell (11) and Pollard (13) struggled to get going.

Narine also perished cheaply at the top of the order, falling lbw to Mehidy for one, with the score on 11 in the second over.

Despite the loss, Dynamites remain top of the standings with eight points from four wins, but are now just two clear of second placed Comilla Victorians.

In the second match of the day, West Indies left-hander Nicholas Pooran played a cameo while Chris Gayle failed again as Sylhet Sixers beat Rangpur Riders by 27 runs.

Sent in, Sixers piled up 187 for five off 20 overs, with opener Liton Das top-scoring with 70 off 43 deliveries and Australian David Warner striking an unbeaten 61 from 36 balls.

The 23-year-old Pooran, who made a three-ball ‘duck’ on Tuesday, smashed 26 from 16 balls towards the end to further energise the innings.

In reply, Riders were held to 160 for six from their allotted overs, despite South African Rilee Rossouw’s top score of 58 off 32 deliveries.

The left-handed Gayle continued his struggles, however, managing just seven before edging behind off left-arm seamer Sohail Tanvir in the third over at 11 for three.

Gayle has scored just 39 runs from four innings.

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(SNO) — The table tennis fraternity in Saint Lucia is remembering the life of a former stalwart. Paul Christopher passed away over the weekend as a consequence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The National Table Tennis Association released the following statement on the death of the former teen sensation, who played at a high level for some two decades.

“It is with sadness that we have learnt of the passing of Paul Christopher who represented Saint Lucia in regional table tennis beginning in the late 1970’s to 1993.

“Paul who was known by his contemporaries as “Barbarella” was a national junior Under 16 Champion in 1978 and also represented the senior national team from 1980 to 1993. He first emerged on the national team playing at the Windward Islands Championships. He was instrumental in Saint Lucia’s success at the OECS Championships which begun in 1986.

“At the OECS Championships, he helped Saint Lucia to win four Team Championship gold medal titles. On three occasions, in 1988, 1990 and 1992, Paul along with Urban Anderson won the OECS Doubles Championships gold medal titles.

“Paul also was successful at the French Antilles helping Saint Lucia to win five French Antilles Team Championship gold medal titles and one Team silver medal. Paul represented Saint Lucia as well at Caribbean Senior Table Tennis Championships where he was less successful but was still very competitive.

“As a singles player, Paul “Barbarella” was known for his uncanny consistency and control of the ball. He had the ability to place the ball close to the white line with regularity causing his opponents much headache. At his best, he was extremely difficult to defeat. He was also an exceptional doubles player. Paul could have continued to play table tennis competitively as a force to be reckoned with but chose to discontinue playing beyond 1993.

“The Saint Lucia National Table Tennis Association wishes to extend its condolences to his family.

“May his soul rest in peace.”

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(SNO) — Saint Lucia international Tyrece Jeremie is beginning to make a name for himself at Stars Football Academy in the United Kingdom. The young man left for England earlier this month, and has already played two games with Stars Football.

The first, a friendly under-18 fixture against Stevenage Borough FC, provided the young Stars with the chance to play against a professional club based north of London.

According to Stars head coach Daryl Willard: “It was a fantastic experience for our boys to compete, and boy did they! After conceding a quick goal inside 2 minutes, our boys started to relax and play their own game. Just before the 30th minute, Chinonso passed to Levonte Johnson, who bullied the defenders and shot past the goalkeeper. 1-1 at halftime. Stars made a few changes and we pushed in the second half for the goal to take us ahead. Levonte continued to cause problems, while Mads, Aba, and Tristan were fantastic at the back. Eventually, we lost 3-1 with two late goals. Well played Stars!”

Jeremie, alongside national players for the Cayman Islands and Nigeria, among others, got their first tastes of the pro game. So too did some new members of the coaching staff, working diligently under Willard, the director of football.

On Tuesday (Jan. 15) Stars resumed their league and cup with a quarterfinal match and a league match-in-one, winner-takes-all against Chichester High.

Stars started strong and scored after a fantastic cross from Kion and a headed goal from Chinonso. They controlled the game and pushed for more. Klenty from the Solomon Islands with a little trickery scored just before the half.

Sami from Bulgaria started the second half well and got his chance from outside the area to make it 3-0. Saint Lucia’s Jeremie grew into the game and was dictating play, when Rovu popped up to hammer home a rebound. A late goal from Klenty made it 5-0, and Stars are through to the semifinal of the County Cup.

Jeremie is having the time of his life in England. Immediately upon arrival, the three-time U15 and three-time U17 international from GMC United in the Gros Islet Football League began doing physical testing, measuring muscle mass, body fat, metabolic rate, total water, bone mass, and other fundamental parameters that will lead them to be better players. Jeremie would have been familiar with some of this, having trained with Trinidad and Tobago Pro League champions W Connection Football Club, through the agency of then GMC head coach, Gary St. Rose.

Jeremie is presently on a six-month scholarship with Stars.

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Tevin St. Jean

(SNO) — Priority one for A.E. Komotini is to remain in the A1 Ethniki (Α1 Εθνική Κατηγορία), more commonly known as the Greek Volleyball League. The latest entrants to one of the world’s top volleyball leagues know that they will be facing some of the best players in the world on a weekly basis, hence their decision to strengthen the squad through the addition of several new players.

One of the key new players is Tevin Ferrel St Jean. No stranger to Greek volleyball, the Soufriere native previously played with Iraklis Chalkidas in 2016. Even though he was not given a second season with them, he kept his head up and kept working, and he says he was delighted to get the call to join Komotini.

The 23-year-old central from Saint Lucia joined Komotini on Saturday morning (Jan. 12) as a replacement for Renan Santos, and was immediately used in the third and fourth sets against Kiffisia. Indeed, it was on his service game that Komotini managed to turn a 10-14 deficit to a 17-14 advantage, playing a catalytic role in winning the third set.

St Jean explained that he “was supposed to be at a club in 2018, but there was a problem with the transfer. But now I’m here. I am grateful to be back. Now let’s get this work”.  From all reports, the third Saint Lucian to play professional volleyball in Greece has already been a big hit with his new club, its management, and his teammates.

Tevin St. Jean

Always a favourite with his teams, St. Jean has in the past had very kind words for his fellow Saint Lucian pros, especially the man he considers a mentor, former Greek league MVP, Julian Bissette.

“I’ve always looked up to those guys, guys like Jason [Octave], and Joe [Joseph Clercent], but Julian [Bissette] has always been like my favourite volleyballer in the world. And he has really been the person who has been really pushing me, and, you know, making sure I am a better person every day, and making sure I am mentally strong, especially to be going to Greece, because he knows how challenging it can be up there.”

Standing 6’6.5″ (1.99m) Tevin has played in the U19 Beach Volleyball World Championship, and was best blocker at the 2016 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association’s Under-23 tournament.

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Ahmed Hussein-Suale

(BBC) — A Ghanaian undercover journalist has been shot dead while driving home, after a politician called for retribution against him.

Unidentified men on motorbikes shot Ahmed Hussein-Suale three times in the capital Accra, local media reports say.

He was a member of Tiger Eye Private Investigations and had investigated corruption in Ghana’s football leagues.

The undercover report on cash gifts led to a lifetime ban for the former head of Ghana’s Football Association.

BBC Africa Eye made a documentary about the scandal last year after gaining access to the investigation led by journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, who runs Tiger Eye.

After the BBC broadcast the football documentary, Ghanaian MP Kennedy Agyapong circulated photos of Mr Hussein-Suale and called for retribution against him.

In turn, the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists called on Mr Agyapong last summer to stop threatening journalists.

In a press release, Tiger Eye said they were “terribly devastated by the dastardly act”, but were “unshaken” in their pursuit of “nation-wreckers”.

Mr Hussein-Suale was shot twice in the chest and once in the neck in the suburb of Madina at about 23:00 (23:00 GMT) on Wednesday night, reports say.

His body has reportedly been taken to the Police Hospital Morgue and will be buried soon.

The investigative journalist co-operated with the BBC on several stories, including an investigation into human body parts sold for ritual magic in Malawi.

Violence against the press is rare in Ghana.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, only one other journalist has been killed in Ghana since 1992.

The International Federation of Journalists says eight journalists were killed across all of Africa in 2017.

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Jamille Matt netted Newport’s winner

(CMC) – Jamaican striker Jamille Matt notched his 15th goal of the season as Newport County edged Exeter City 1-0 in an English league Two match at Rodney Parade on Saturday.

It was Newport’s first league win since November, although the Welsh club sprang a major surprise when they knocked out 2016 Premier League champions Leicester City in the third round of the FA Cup earlier this month when Matt was on target with an early header in the 2-1 win.

Matt broke the deadlock in Saturday’s match with a close-range finish in the 71st minute to give manager Mike Flynn’s side a lift ahead of next Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round trip to Championship outfit Middlesbrough.

Despite taking all three points Newport remain in 13th place, five places below Exeter whose best chance came when Ryan Bowman hit the crossbar.

Flynn said: “It’s an important three points. I’m over the moon because the boys have dug deep. They’ve really worked hard to try and get this and change it to get it right.

“They got their rewards today because without being great in the final third I thought we were the better team and created the most chances.”

Meanwhile, Bermudian striker Jonté Smith scored his 12th goal of the season as third-placed Lewes bounced back to beat lowly Wingate & Finchley 4-2 in a Bostik League Premier Division match at the Dripping Pan after trailing 2-0 just before the hour mark.

Smith scored Lewes’ second goal with a 67th minute penalty, three minutes after coming on as a substitute.

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Shamar Springer grabbed four wickets to help rout the Red Force for 103 in their second innings.

(CMC) – Barbados Pride expectedly cruised to an easy victory over Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, defeating them by seven wickets in their fifth round match in the Regional Four-Day Championships at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium here Saturday.

Having started the day in full control of the match by restricting the Red Force to 62 for six at the end of the second day’s play, the Pride skittled out the home side for just 103, with medium pacer Shamar Springer claiming three of the four wickets to fall.

Needing just 58 runs for victory after securing a 45-run first innings lead, the visitors then romped to an easy win, finishing on 58 for three in 17 overs.

With fast bowler Marquino Mindley having done the damage the previous evening by taking four quick wickets, Springer followed in his footsteps.

Red Force’s duo of Imran Khan and Odean Smith frustrated the opposition during a 52-run seventh wicket partnership to give their side a slim chance of posting a defendable total.

They came together with their side tottering on 46 for six and carried the score to 98 without much alarm as they mixed stout defense with occasional aggression,

But once Kevin Stoute, who ended the match with eight wickets, breached Khan’s defense to have him clean bowled for 25, the rest of the tail folded quickly.

Without another run being added Springer dismissed Smith for the topscore of 28 and followed that up with the wickets of Khary Pierre for a duck and Anderson Philip, who was bowled for two.

Springer ended with figures of 4 for 24, Mindley took four for 47 and Stoute snagged the other two wickets.

Defending a total of 57 was always going to be tough for the Red Force, but Philip came out firing on all cylinders, snagging the cheap wickets of Shayne Moseley for three and Aaron Jones for seven to leave the Pride 16 for two.

Captain Jonathan Carter however, came to his side’s rescue with an unbeaten 25 to help see his team to a predictable victory.

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Rahkeem Cornwall took six wickets but the Hurricanes were frustrated by the Jaguars’ lower order

(CMC) – Some defiant batting by the Guyana Jaguar’s lower order helped to place them in a strong position heading into the final day of their match against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the Regional Four-Day Championships at Providence Stadium here Saturday.

With the Jaguars seemingly in control on 103 for two, an overall lead of 124 runs, Hurricanes’ offspinner Rahkeem Cornwall who ended with a six wicket haul, helped ignite a middle order collapse which saw the home side lose their next four wickets for 35 runs.

After Damion Jacobs struck to dismiss Christopher Barnwell for 12 and leave the score 103 for three, Cornwall trapped both opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul (40) and Anthony Bramble, who made 18, leg before wicket.

And when Sherfane Rutherford was also dismissed in similar fashion by Jacobs, the Jaguars had slipped to 138 for six.

But all-rounder Keemo Paul and fast bowler Romario Shepherd added 57 valuable runs for the seventh wicket to steady the Jaguars’ innings.

Paul was eventually bowled by Sheno Berridge after scoring 22 from 57 balls with the score on 195 and Shepherd followed soon after for a fighting 39 from 75 balls, with the Jaguars still not out of danger yet at 209 for eight.

The Hurricanes’ bowlers were then further frustrated through the efforts of Clinton Pestano who cracked a topscore of 46 runs from 87 deliveries and Veerasammy Permaul who ended unbeaten on 15, in a ninth wicket partnership that yielded 59 runs.

It would take the trickery of Cornwall to get the breakthrough, having Pestano leg before wicket to make the score 268 for nine, with Jeremiah Louis eventually wrapping up the innings by bowling Daevendra Bishoo for a duck.

Requiring 291 runs for victory, the Hurricanes didn’t get off to the best of starts, losing their captain Kieran Powell for seven.

However, Montcin Hodge who is unbeaten on 17 and Keacy Carty who is there on three, guided them to 32 for one at the end of play.

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Kavem Hodge scored a fighting half century for the Windward Island Volcanoes

(CMC) – A four-wicket haul by Larry Edwards helped the Windward Islands Volcanoes secure a slim 13-run first innings lead, but a strong bowling effort by the Jamaica Scorpions ensured honours were shared at the end of the penultimate day of their Regional Four-Day match at the Grenada National Stadium here Saturday.

Edwards grabbed four wickets for 79 runs to help earn the Volcanoes an unlikely first innings lead, but Dennis Bulli hit back by grabbing four wickets to help keep the game in the balance.

Chadwick Walton’s fifth first class century had looked to be enough to help the Scorpions overtake the Volcanoes’ first innings total of 285.

Surprisingly though, the Scorpions fell just short with Edwards accounting for the final four wickets to fall.

Walton had resumed on 113, but added just 12 runs to his overnight total before being adjudged leg before wicket to Kavem Hodge.

Kenroy Williams too became a victim of Hodge to be out for 21 as the Scorpions slipped to 231 for six.

Edwards then struck to remove Aldaine Thomas for six, Bulli for 15, Jerome Taylor for a two-ball duck and finally Derval Green for 24 to wrap up the innings.

After Derval Green and Jerome Taylor struck in quick succession to dismiss Taryck Gabriel and Tyrone Theophile respectively to reduce the Volcanoes to 37 for two, Bulli claimed two crucial scalps.

First, he had Devon Smith stumped for 47 and then had captain Kirk Edwards leg before wicket for 21.

It required a 58-run stand between Hodge and Alick Athanaze to rescue their side from trouble, with the two carrying the score up to 147 before Athanaze was bowled by Kenroy Williams for a well played 27.

Bulli was back in the thick of things soon after, accounting for the wickets of Dennis Smith and Hodge, who scored 52 from 75 balls, laced with seven boundaries and one six.

It allowed the Scorpions to restrict the Volcanoes to 198 for nine, an overall lead of 2011, and a chance of victory heading into today’s final day.

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A general view over the Daren Sammy Stadium (Getty Images)

(CMC) – For the first time in its six-year history, the total economic impact of the Caribbean Premier League has exceeded US$100 million, a 34 per cent increase over the the previous 2017 season.

A report commissioned by CPL and compiled by researchers, SMG Insight, showed figures for the 2018 season of US$127, 355, 010, representing all seven countries in which matches were played.

Organisers hailed the impact of the Twenty20 league and said further growth was anticipated in coming years.

“We set out to continue to have a positive impact on the Caribbean as one of our goals for the 2018 tournament and to see a 34 per cent increase from last year is fantastic news for both Hero CPL and the region,” said Chief Executive Officer, Damien O’Donohoe.

“The tournament has shown amazing growth over the last six years and is now a mainstay of the cricket calendar and a great way to showcase what the Caribbean has to offer. We plan for that to continue.”

Matches last year were played in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts, St. Lucia and Florida in the United States.

And according to the report, the tournament was responsible for the employment of 1,942 persons across the seven hosts nations, and also provided a boost for the accommodation sector with 37, 037 rooms filled.

Visitors also spent more over the previous season, with spending reaching US$24, 735, 209.

The report estimated the value of media exposure across the seven host venues at US$46, 869, 599, more than double that of 2017.

“This increase was in part due to the new broadcast deals with Star Sports in India and Sky Sports in the UK,” a CPL statement said

The seventh season of the CPL bowls off in August.

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