The Reggae Boyz will welcome back several influential figures for their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers, as head coach Steve McClaren named a 26-man squad aiming to extend Jamaica’s unbeaten start.

Captain Andre Blake, fresh off consecutive clean sheets for the Philadelphia Union, headlines the returning group after missing the September window through injury. The defense also regains vital steel with Ethan Pinnock, Amari’i Bell, and Joel Latibeaudiere all declared fit, fortifying a backline from the opening fixtures.

Up front, Demarai Gray returns in confident form after marking his comeback to Birmingham City with a goal late last month. However, Leon Bailey will sit out once again as he continues his recovery at AS Roma.

“Leon was desperate to come,” McClaren revealed. “But he’s just coming back from his injuries. He’s back on the grass with his team, and we feel it’s best he focuses on getting fit and into Roma’s line-up, so he’s ready for November.”

The roster also features Ian Fray, who had withdrawn from the last squad citing readiness concerns, and 17-year-old forward Seymour Reid, who has impressed for New York City FC in the MLS, recently netting his first senior goal in a 3-1 victory over Chicago Fire.

McClaren confident yet cautious ahead of Curacao test

With Jamaica sitting atop Group B after an unbeaten start—beating Bermuda 4-0 and Trinidad and Tobago 2-0—McClaren is intent on maintaining momentum heading into a pivotal away clash against Curacao on October 10, followed by the return leg against Bermuda at Kingston’s National Stadium on October 14.

“We had a good start,” McClaren said at Saturday’s press conference at the Jamaica Football Federation headquarters. “We need to continue the momentum. It will be a very difficult game, but our focus is purely on preparation and performance. We know what to expect.”

The English coach was quick to commend Curacao, who sit second in the group on four points, and their veteran Dutch tactician Dick Advocaat, whose influence has been evident.

“They have a very experienced coach in Dick Advocaat—I know him well from his time in England,” McClaren noted. “Curacao’s squad is full of Dutch-based players who are technically gifted. They play the Dutch way—organized, sharp, and disciplined—and playing at home on an artificial surface will certainly give them an advantage.”

Despite acknowledging the challenge, McClaren was resolute that the Boyz must travel with ambition, not excuses.

“We have no excuses,” he emphasized. “We need to defend very well, but when the opportunity comes, we must play our football. The goal is simple: get the points we need to stay in control of the group heading into November.”

New faces, old guard, shared ambition

The mix of experience and youth defines McClaren’s latest selection. Veterans like Blake, Pinnock, and Gray bring stability, while emerging names such as Karoy Anderson, Tyreece Campbell, and debutant Seymour Reid inject freshness.

That balance, McClaren believes, is essential for Jamaica’s long-term ambitions. “We’re building something,” he said. “The foundation is strong, but consistency and focus will determine how far we go. Every camp, every game, is part of that journey.”

The road ahead

Jamaica’s quest to reach their second-ever FIFA World Cup, after their historic 1998 debut, continues with growing belief. Two more victories in October would put McClaren’s side firmly in control of their qualifying group and strengthen their case as one of the Caribbean’s leading football powers.

As the Boyz prepare for their showdown at Curacao’s Ergilio Hato Stadium, then return home to a packed “Office” against Bermuda, McClaren’s message remains clear: focus, unity, and no complacency.

“We want to keep improving,” he concluded. “The performances have to match the ambition—and our ambition is very, very high.”

Full Squad: Goalkeepers – Andre Blake, Jahmali Waite, Tafari Chambers;
Defenders – Joel Latibeaudiere, Ethan Pinnock, Richard King, Dexter Lembikisa, Greg Leigh, Damion Lowe, Amari’i Bell, Mason Holgate; Midfielders – Isaac Hayden, Ian Fray, Bobby Reid, Jon Russell, Karoy Anderson, Jahshaun Anglin, Kasey Palmer; Forwards – Bailey-Tye Cadamarteri, Shamar Nicholson, Rumarn Burrell, Demarai Gray, Kaheim Dixon, Renaldo Cephas, Tyreece Campbell, Seymour Reid.

AHMEDABAD, India — West Indies Test captain Roston Chase has lamented yet another batting breakdown after his team suffered a crushing innings and 140-run defeat to India inside three days at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

The visitors were swept aside for 162 and 146, failing to mount any resistance as India’s imposing first-innings total of 448 for five declared—anchored by centuries from Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, and KL Rahul—paved the way for an emphatic victory.

No West Indies batter managed to reach 40 in either innings, and for Chase, that statistic summed up the story.

“Obviously, we had a poor batting display, and this is something that has been plaguing us for the past two series,” the skipper admitted in the post-match press conference. “We’ve not been able to bat at least 80 overs, bat a day, or even get 250 or 300 runs on the board. Anytime you win a toss in a Test match and bat and you don’t bat out the first day, you’re always going to be behind the eight ball.”

‘We never put partnerships together’

Chase said the inability to build partnerships once again proved the team’s undoing.

“We didn’t start well and we never really put any partnerships in place,” he conceded. “We never really got back into the game, we never put those partnerships together, and we paid for it.”

While acknowledging India’s superior Test pedigree, Chase was adamant that conditions were no excuse for the West Indies’ struggles.

“In the table, obviously, they are ranked higher than us, so they’re supposed to be a stronger team, but I think we could have done better,” he said. “I don’t think that the wicket was one we should have been bowled out on twice for under 200 or 250. I think it was a pitch where we could have at least gotten 300 runs in the first innings. It was a very good batting wicket.”

No regrets over toss decision

Despite coming under scrutiny for choosing to bat first, Chase stood by his call, insisting the surface offered enough to justify the decision.

“I don’t think the decision was a bad one,” he explained. “We saw the wicket and, although it had a bit of moisture, we still thought it was a good wicket to bat first on. We felt that once the openers got through that early moisture, it would become a really good pitch to bat on—as we saw later in the day.”

The West Indies, however, failed to capitalize, undone by soft dismissals and poor shot selection.

“I just think it’s a case where our defense needs to be a bit tighter,” Chase observed. “I find that we gifted some of the wickets too easily. There was some rough, and a few balls spun out of it, but there weren’t any devils in the wicket. It was a surface you could stand up and bat on, as shown by the Indian batters.”

A call for greater discipline and trust

Looking ahead to the second Test in New Delhi on Friday, Chase called for his batters to show greater patience and belief in their technique.

“I think we need to trust our defense a bit more,” he said. “I can’t say that we weren’t scoring, because the run rate was still good, but I just think we need to be a little more solid in our defense.”

The captain’s frustration mirrored that of West Indies supporters who have watched a familiar pattern unfold in recent tours — fleeting promise undone by fragile batting. With another daunting contest looming, Chase hopes lessons are finally learned.

Akeem Stewart, one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most decorated para-athletes, added yet another glittering chapter to his remarkable career by seizing the silver medal in the men’s discus F44 final at the 2025 World Para-Athletics Championships in New Delhi, India, on Friday.

Competing before a lively crowd at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Stewart launched his best throw of 59.64 meters in the fifth round to secure second place behind Colombian Andres Mosquera Neira, who clinched gold with a 60.26m effort. Britain’s Dan Greaves completed the podium, taking bronze with 52.42m.

Early momentum and fierce duel

Stewart opened his campaign with intent, unleashing a 59.12m throw in the first round to position himself firmly in second place behind Neira’s 59.87m. Despite fouling on his second attempt, the Tobago-born athlete maintained his composure and standing as the Colombian extended his lead with a championship-winning mark of 60.26m.

In his third trip to the circle, the Kaizen Panthers club member improved slightly to 59.19m, but Neira remained out of reach, stretching his own consistency with a 59.50m effort. Stewart recorded 55.97m in the fourth round, while Neira reinforced his dominance with another 60m-class throw of 60.24m.

Determined to respond, the 2016 Rio Paralympic Javelin F44 champion summoned his trademark power in the fifth round, hurling 59.64m—his best of the evening—to keep his silver-medal position intact. His final throw of 55.96m closed a steady, hard-fought series.

Building on a legacy of consistency

Though Stewart narrowly missed out on the top prize, the result marked a triumphant continuation of his exceptional record at global meets. The Carnbee native had been eyeing discus gold to complement his World Para titles in Javelin and Shot Put (F44), both secured in London 2017. Still, the silver medal surpasses his earlier bronze finish in Doha (2015) in the same event.

This latest achievement brings Stewart’s World Para-Athletics Championships medal tally to five, reinforcing his place among the sport’s elite. His storied résumé also includes:

Paralympic silver medals in the Discus F44 (Rio 2016) and Discus F64 (Paris 2024).

Para Pan American Games titles in the Discus F44 (2015, 2019) and Discus F64 (2013), along with a silver in the Javelin F64 (2019).

Records and remarkable resilience

Beyond his medal count, Stewart’s impact on the field events is underscored by his record-breaking feats. He is the world record holder in the men’s discus F43 with an astounding 63.70m, achieved in 2019, and also owns Trinidad and Tobago’s national shot put record of 20.99m, set in 2022.

After missing the 2023 edition of the championships, Stewart’s return to the global stage in 2025 served as a reminder of his unrelenting drive and enduring excellence. With silver now added to his vast collection, the Tobagonian titan continues to embody determination, discipline, and national pride—raising the red, white, and black flag high once again.

Vice-captain Ravindra Jadeja delivered a commanding all-round performance that propelled India to a resounding innings and 140-run victory over the West Indies on day three of the opening Test.

Following his unbeaten century, Jadeja returned with the ball to dismantle the visitors, taking four pivotal wickets as the Caribbean side folded for 146 in just 45.1 overs at the Rajkot Cricket Stadium.

India’s emphatic win, achieved inside three days, gave them a 1–0 series lead and reaffirmed their dominance in home conditions.

Jadeja’s day of perfection

Jadeja’s impact was felt in every facet of the contest. Resuming the morning session with India declaring at 448 for 5, holding a mammoth 286-run advantage, the left-hander’s earlier unbeaten 104 had already set the tone for India’s supremacy. With the ball in hand, he became the destroyer-in-chief, claiming 4 for 35 in a mesmerizing spell that ripped through the West Indian middle order.

He first removed John Campbell (14), who had offered brief resistance, before trapping Brandon King (5). As the innings unraveled, Jadeja accounted for Shai Hope and debutant Johann Layne, ensuring there would be no recovery for the visitors.

Siraj and Kuldeep tighten the grip

India’s pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj was equally incisive, striking early to dismiss Tagenarine Chanderpaul (8) and returning later to finish with three wickets. Kuldeep Yadav joined the demolition with two scalps, while Washington Sundar chipped in with the wicket of Alick Athanaze (38)—the only West Indian to show sustained resistance.

The collapse was swift and relentless: the West Indies lost five wickets for just 46 runs, a reflection of both India’s precision and their opponents’ inability to adapt. Justin Greaves (25) offered brief support, but the rest of the line-up capitulated under sustained pressure. Extras totaled a mere five, underscoring the control India maintained throughout the innings.

Tactical mastery and fielding brilliance

India’s domination extended to the field. The decision to declare overnight proved shrewd, allowing their bowlers to exploit the early morning conditions to perfection. Siraj’s initial breakthrough came courtesy of Nitish Reddy’s sharp catch at square leg, which set the tone for the day. Jadeja’s spin then wove its magic, supported by KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who both pulled off sharp catches to dismiss key batters.

As the West Indies’ resistance waned, Kuldeep Yadav wrapped up the innings with a clever combination of drift and control. Every Indian player seemed to contribute to the effort, from aggressive field placements to precise execution.

“The perfect game,” says Shubman Gill

Reflecting on the emphatic result, captain Shubman Gill lauded his side’s collective brilliance:

“It was the perfect game for us — three centuries, brilliant bowling, and outstanding fielding. The players showed intent and clarity from the first ball.”

With Jadeja’s all-round excellence leading the way, India’s clinical display reaffirmed their Test dominance.

Eyes on New Delhi

With momentum fully on their side, India will head into the second Test in New Delhi (October 10–14) brimming with confidence. The West Indies, meanwhile, face the daunting task of regrouping against a side firing in every department — and led by a man whose artistry with both bat and ball continues to define modern Indian cricket.

Julien Alfred, Saint Lucia’s golden girl of track and field, received a hero’s welcome on Thursday afternoon, as the island nation proudly celebrated its first-ever medal at the World Athletics Championships.

The 24-year-old sprinting sensation touched down at Hewanorra International Airport after securing a historic bronze in the women’s 100m final at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.

Though already a household name following her Olympic gold medal in Paris last year, Alfred’s latest achievement marks a new milestone not only in her career, but in the annals of Saint Lucian sport.

To honour the moment, Saint Lucia rolled out the red carpet. A jubilant welcome-home ceremony was hosted on the tarmac, attended by dignitaries from the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, the Saint Lucia Olympic Committee, the Saint Lucia Athletics Association, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, corporate sponsors including 1st National Bank, BodyHoliday Saint Lucia, and dozens of local athletes who came to pay tribute to their national icon.

“Welcome home. We are eternally proud of you,” declared Sports Minister Kenson Casimir, addressing Alfred directly as she stepped off the plane. “You continue to show the world that Saint Lucia is a place of resilience and excellence.”

Alfred’s bronze medal may not have been a personal best or her highest finish on the international stage, but it represented something far greater: the culmination of years of perseverance and a new chapter in the sporting legacy of her homeland.

“As I reminisce and I think about the season I had, even though it didn’t end the way I wanted it to, I’m very proud to bring home a bronze medal. The first ever for Saint Lucia,” Alfred told the gathered crowd, her voice tinged with both humility and gratitude.

Still basking in the energy of Tokyo, Alfred made it clear that medals weren’t her only takeaway from the season.

“The highlight of my season is just the amount of Saint Lucians I saw, wherever I go, the amount of flags. That will be the highlight of my season this year,” she said, capturing the emotional bond she shares with her compatriots.

“Julien, you are our pride, our star, and our lasting inspiration,” said Dora Henry, President of the Saint Lucia Athletics Association, describing her as a “shining example” of dedication and excellence.

As the celebrations continued, one thing was clear: Julien Alfred is a champion on the track, but also a cherished symbol of national pride.

India turned the second day in Ahmedabad into a showcase of batting supremacy, piling up 448-5 and stretching their lead to a daunting 286 runs by stumps.

Centuries from KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, and Ravindra Jadeja left West Indies chasing shadows. Remarkably, it marked the third time in 2025—after Leeds and Manchester—that India celebrated three centurions in the same innings.

Rahul and Gill set the stage

The morning belonged to Rahul and Shubman Gill, who strolled past West Indies’ first-innings total with ease. Gill, serene and composed, notched his eighth Test half-century, while Rahul punished every loose ball.

West Indies squandered their only early opportunity when Jayden Seales found Rahul’s edge, but the ball evaded a wide slip cordon. That missed chance proved costly. The visitors briefly slowed India’s charge after drinks, with Kharry Pierre and Roston Chase exploiting rough patches outside leg stump. Yet Rahul held firm, eventually reaching his 11th Test hundred, and only his second on home soil, just before lunch.

Gill, however, succumbed to temptation, attempting a reverse sweep against Chase that ballooned to slip. His dismissal gave West Indies a brief reprieve but did little to alter the course of the innings.

Jadeja and Jurel shift gears

After the interval, Ravindra Jadeja and Dhruv Jurel shifted the momentum with controlled aggression. Jurel announced himself by pulling Chase for the match’s first six, while Jadeja launched into Warrican, thundering two towering blows over long-on in a single over.

Their intent was clear: keep the scoreboard ticking. Seales was recalled in a desperate search for reverse swing, but the pair remained unflustered. By the second session drinks break, India’s lead had surged beyond 100.

The Ahmedabad pitch added intrigue, with the old ball gripping more, spinning sharper, and occasionally keeping low. Still, Jadeja capitalized on the conditions, dispatching Warrican for a fourth six—all over long-on—eclipsing MS Dhoni’s tally of 78 Test sixes. Only Pant, Sehwag, and Rohit Sharma now sit above him.

Jurel’s maiden ton, Jadeja’s milestone

The new ball, taken in the 98th over, slowed India’s scoring but failed to deliver breakthroughs. Instead, the highlight came from Jurel, who showcased remarkable temperament in bringing up his maiden Test hundred. His 210-ball stay produced 15 fours and three sixes, marking him as a potential long-term answer to Rishabh Pant’s absence.

Pierre eventually ended his innings at 125, finding an edge through to the keeper. But by then, the damage had been done. Only minutes later, Jadeja reached his own century, continuing a prolific 2025 in which he now trails only one teammate in the year’s scoring charts.

West Indies left searching

By close, India had three centurions, a mountain of runs, and complete control of the contest. West Indies’ young and inexperienced attack worked hard but lacked the cutting edge to dismantle India’s depth.

For the visitors, it was a long day in the field; for India, a statement of dominance, with Rahul’s authority, Jurel’s emergence, and Jadeja’s belligerence combining into a performance that left the hosts firmly in command.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua — Cricket West Indies’ Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe has urged perspective following the regional side’s shocking 1-2 T20I series defeat to Nepal, insisting that the setback offered valuable lessons and opportunities despite the disappointment.

The Unity Cup, staged last month in the United Arab Emirates, marked the first time Nepal defeated a full ICC member in any format. West Indies, ranked sixth in the world and widely expected to dominate, instead faltered against the 18th-ranked underdogs, losing the opening two matches before salvaging a win in the third.

“An opportunity for exposure”

Addressing the media during CWI’s quarterly press briefing, Bascombe acknowledged the emotional sting of the loss but emphasized the developmental nature of the series.

“The Nepal series had always been earmarked as an opportunity for exposure for emerging talent,” he explained. “We always knew that turnaround time would have been a challenge. They pretty much had one day to acclimatise and one practice session going into that series. In a very short tournament of three matches, if you’re not off the ground running from match one, you can very much find yourself behind the eight ball as we did.”

With several senior players absent, West Indies fielded a youthful side that included up to six debutants, highlighting both the promise and the inexperience in the squad.

Glimpses of potential in defeat

Bascombe admitted that the defeats laid bare areas needing reinforcement in the senior T20 team, but he underscored the promise shown by several players making the leap from regional competitions.

“While we saw some struggle in those first couple of games, we definitely saw what we all knew in terms of what we saw in the CPL and what we saw in the Breakout League — that we definitely have quality in that group and we have capable players,” he said.

He added: “So I think that series, albeit a very disappointing loss, we were still able to identify some options. We have seen some players that have come all the way from the Breakout League through to international T20 cricket and have shown that they may have what it takes to make the step up.”

Balancing frustration with perspective

Bascombe was careful not to diminish the frustration felt by fans and stakeholders over losing to a minnow nation but argued that short-term pain may lead to long-term gain.

“While I wouldn’t want to disarm anyone of that emotional response to a West Indies loss to a minnow, we still need to be able to expose our players and give them that opportunity to shine in challenging conditions. I’m quite confident that we have seen some good signs,” he concluded.

A sobering lesson, a glimpse of tomorrow

Though the result will linger as a blemish, the series may prove pivotal in fast-tracking West Indies’ next generation of T20 talent. For Bascombe, the Unity Cup loss is less a humiliation than a reminder of the delicate balance between building for the future and delivering victories in the present.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced a wide-ranging set of reforms designed to tackle the structural and performance challenges undermining regional cricket.

The initiatives emerged from an emergency meeting of the Cricket Strategy and Officiating Committee in August, convened in the wake of the historic Test defeat to Australia at Sabina Park in July.

The high-level session brought together a diverse mix of stakeholders: icons Brian Lara and Sir Clive Lloyd, current captains Shai Hope and Roston Chase, senior team management, and respected former players including Anthony Gray and Ramnaresh Sarwan.

Ten urgent challenges identified

The committee’s review laid bare a sobering list of obstacles confronting West Indies cricket, including: Declining quality of regional competitions; Technical, tactical, and mental shortcomings among players; A franchise system failing to maximize talent development; Weaknesses in infrastructure and facilities; Limited access to specialist coaching; Financial strain from a small ICC revenue share; Fragmented player pathways from grassroots to elite level; Inconsistent fitness and conditioning standards.

These issues, the group agreed, required both swift remedial action and structural reforms to lay the foundation for long-term success.

Immediate actions (0–6 months)

The first wave of reforms, approved by the CWI Board on September 25, includes:

Specialist Coaching Support: An internationally proven batting coach will be appointed to work across teams. The men’s side will also receive a full-time performance psychologist, while the women’s team will see its part-time role upgraded to full-time.

High-Performance Centre Development: A capital project will be advanced for a new state-of-the-art training facility at Coolidge Cricket Ground, featuring modern nets, gym, and rehabilitation units.

Accountability and Standards: Franchise teams must now submit Individual Development Plans and meet minimum professional benchmarks. Player fitness will be tracked regionally, supported by a new fitness leaderboard.

Longer-term transformation

Beyond the short-term measures, CWI has mapped out a more ambitious blueprint:

National Development Framework integrating grassroots, school, academy, and elite pathways.

Franchise Reform to strengthen accountability for player development and consider alternative professional models.

Standardized Academies for players aged 11–18, feeding directly into the High-Performance Program.

Completion of the High-Performance Centre in Antigua as the region’s elite cricket hub.

Financial Resilience, including lobbying for fairer ICC revenue distribution and forging partnerships with governments, businesses, and philanthropists.

Mentorship Networks pairing past greats with emerging players to pass on expertise and foster continuity.

Bascombe: “Our commitment is unwavering”

CWI Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, underscored the organization’s determination to restore regional cricket to a position of strength.

“These reforms represent decisive action to strengthen our systems, raise standards, and provide the next generation of players with the tools, facilities, and mentorship they need to succeed. While challenges remain, our commitment to cricket development across the region is unwavering, and all efforts will be made to prioritize the execution of these initiatives.”

A new path forward

CWI has pledged to keep stakeholders and fans updated as reforms roll out, with implementation expected to begin across the regional system in the coming months. For a team steeped in history but battling modern challenges, the agenda signals not just repair, but renewal.

Jamaica’s motorsport trailblazer Fraser McConnell will return to the grid this October for Extreme E’s highly anticipated Final Lap, as the Acciona Sainz QEV XE Team officially confirmed its line-up.

McConnell will again team up with Spanish superstar Laia Sanz, a partnership that produced three podiums in four races last season, including a memorable victory at the Desert X Prix in Saudi Arabia.

Racing for a legacy

Founded by motorsport icon Carlos Sainz, a two-time World Rally Champion and four-time Dakar winner, the Acciona Sainz QEV squad has been one of Extreme E’s most consistent forces since the series launched. For McConnell, the chance to remain part of that legacy is something he deeply values.

“Having the opportunity to continue with the Acciona is a huge honour,” McConnell said. “From the very first day, I knew we could achieve great results. We’ve built a strong relationship and I’m confident we can continue our podium streak in this special farewell to Extreme E.”

McConnell and Sanz: A proven duo

McConnell’s credentials are already written into the sport’s history books. In 2021, he became the first Jamaican to win a Rallycross Supercar race, and since then, he has added four Nitrocross Group E titles to his résumé. His chemistry with Sanz has been singled out as one of the most balanced and effective partnerships in Extreme E.

Sanz, herself a 13-time Trial World Champion and a Dakar Rally veteran, has been part of the championship since its inception. She echoed McConnell’s enthusiasm for one last charge together.

“I’m really happy to be back with the Acciona Sainz QEV XE alongside Fraser,” said Sanz. “We finished last season with great momentum and the goal is clear: fight at the front and close Extreme E on a high.”

The final lap and what comes next

The Extreme E curtain call will be staged October 4–5, 2025, in Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia, before the championship transitions into the new hydrogen-powered Extreme H World Cup just one week later. McConnell will also compete in the pioneering Extreme H series, positioning himself at the forefront of motorsport’s sustainable future.

Fans across Jamaica and beyond can watch McConnell’s return live on CVM TV and YouTube:

• Saturday, October 4 at 9:00 a.m.
• Sunday, October 5 at 3:00 p.m.

For McConnell, the Final Lap offers more than a farewell — it is a chance to cement his standing as one of the championship’s defining stars before ushering in a new era of clean energy motorsport.