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All-rounder Jason Holder has underscored the need for clinical execution, if West Indies are to make an impact in the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup.

Holder said while the Caribbean hosts had “really good chances” of winning the June 1-29 showpiece, it was critical they “delivered on the day”, in spite of the composition of the squad.

“I think like anybody else in the competition I think we’ve got really good chances,” the 32-year-old said.

“We’ll probably know the conditions better than anybody else.”

T20 cricket is one of those formats where it doesn’t matter the names on paper, it’s all about what you deliver on the day.

“And it’s really important for us to start the competition well and set a really good precedent going throughout the entire competition.”

He continued: “We’ve got a team that has got a lot of depth. I think it is very, very important to have depth.

“We’ve got mostly two-dimensional cricketers – some three – and it’s a matter for us just to come and just deliver.

“We’ve got to hold our nerve, deliver, and enjoy doing what we’re doing. I think we wouldn’t be a West Indies team if we didn’t enjoy what we’re doing and play the cricket we know how to play.”

Holder, key member of the West Indies T20 side in recent times, grabbing 53 wickets at an average of 26 from 46 matches over the last three years.

Last year, he managed 12 wickets from 11 matches as West Indies won series against South Africa, India and England.

And Holder said the team’s form served as a crucial part of their preparation, especially in building confidence.

“I think our prep coming into the World Cup when it comes to a match-play perspective has been really good,” he said.

“We’ve won the last three out of four series and more than likely we’ll be going into this World Cup with [ourselves] in good spirits.”

He added: “There’s lots of cricket going on, plenty of T20 cricket leading up to the World Cup which a lot of boys will be involved in.

“For those not involved, there’s first class cricket going on here in the Caribbean and then I’m sure they’ll have a few camps before the start of the big tournament.

“So I think preparations-wise, I think we’ll be in good stead heading into this competition.”

West Indies, two-time former T20 World Cup champions, have been installed in Group C alongside New Zealand, Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea and Uganda.

The Guyana Tourism Authority announces that Shamar Joseph, the renowned West Indies fast bowler, has been named its official Tourism Ambassador.

This partnership comes on the heels of Joseph’s recent heroics in the Australia versus West Indies Test match, where he captured a record-breaking 7-68, securing a phenomenal win for the West Indies.

Hailing from Baracara, Berbice, Joseph embodies an unwavering sense of determination, both on and off the field. The Guyana Tourism Authority recognizes his exceptional talent and believes he is on a path to achieving remarkable success in the cricketing world.

“We are incredibly proud to welcome Shamar Joseph as our Tourism Ambassador. He is about to embark on a journey to discover and showcase the best that Guyana has to offer,” said Kamrul Baksh, Director of Guyana Tourism Authority.

He further emphasized that “Shamar’s dedication, resilience, and passion for his home country perfectly align with the values we strive to promote for Guyana. More importantly, as we continue to promote sports tourism, this is the perfect opportunity for us to amplify our efforts.”

The Guyana Tourism Authority and Joseph will collaborate on exciting projects, focusing on initiatives leading up to the highly anticipated ICC Men’s T20 cricket matches scheduled in Guyana.

This partnership promises a variety of promotional activities, including awareness sessions with young students, promotional sweepstakes, and familiarization trips to some of Guyana’s most breathtaking natural attractions.

The Guyana Tourism Authority is confident that this collaboration will significantly elevate Guyana’s tourism profile.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is back with a bang, and the 2024 edition promises high-octane cricketing action. Amidst the glitz, glamour, and fierce competition, one player’s retention caught everyone’s attention: Nicholas Pooran.

The Unprecedented Retention

In the 2023 auction, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured Nicholas Pooran for a jaw-dropping amount of ₹16 crores. Yes, you read that right! The explosive West Indian wicketkeeper-batsman became the most expensive wicketkeeper purchase in IPL history.

Why the Hype?

Let’s dissect why Pooran’s retention is making waves:

Natural Six-Hitter: Pooran is a natural when it comes to clearing the ropes. His ability to send the ball sailing into the stands makes him a T20 powerhouse.

Excellent Fielder: Not just with the bat, but Pooran is also a livewire on the field. His acrobatic catches and quick reflexes add immense value to any team.

Wicketkeeping Skills: LSG gets a two-in-one deal with Pooran. He can don the gloves and keep wickets effectively, allowing flexibility in team composition.

A Brief Look at Nicholas Pooran IPL Journey

2023: LSG broke the bank to secure Pooran for ₹16 crores, signaling their confidence in his match-winning abilities.

2022: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) had him in their ranks for ₹10.75 crores.

2021: Punjab Kings (PBKS) retained him for ₹4.20 crores.

2020: PBKS retained him again for the same amount.

2019: PBKS (then Kings XI Punjab) invested ₹4.20 crores in the young dynamo.

2017: Mumbai Indians (MI) picked him up for 30 lakhs.

What Lies Ahead?

As LSG’s vice-captain, Pooran shoulders significant responsibility. His explosive batting in the middle order can turn games on their head. Fans eagerly await his sixes raining down on stadiums across India.

So, keep your eyes peeled for Nicholas Pooran’s fireworks in IPL 2024. The stakes are high, and the excitement is palpable. Let the games begin!

MI Emirates, captained by Nicholas Pooran, clinched their inaugural ILT20 title with a commanding 45-run triumph over Dubai Capitals in the final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 17.

Nicholas Pooran carries a piece of UAE in his heart wherever he goes to play the sport he fell in love with as a child.

On Saturday night at the Dubai International Stadium, the West Indian was carrying his adorable one-year-old daughter in his arms as he greeted the media before the post-match media conference.

This proud father was also a proud captain after leading MI Emirates to a glorious triumph in the ILT20 final against the Dubai Capitals.

The 45-run win in the final was built on his stupendous knock (57 not out off 27 balls, 2 fours, 6 sixes) at a stadium where he first showed his skills as a batter with a magnificent 143 against Australia in the 2014 Under-19 World Cup.

No wonder the Dubai stadium holds a special place in his heart.

On Saturday, he felt at home again at this state-of-the-art stadium, helping MI Emirates post 208 for three, the first 200-plus score in the second season of the tournament.

Their bowlers then restricted the Capitals to 163 for seven to spark wild celebrations as 25,000 fans at the packed stadium applauded the champions.

Pooran, with his daughter giggling on his lap at the press conference, said the collective performance of the team in the final gave him greater joy than his great six-hitting exhibition which also earned him the man-of-the-match award.

“It’s always important (to perform in big matches), I am the captain. But for me, regardless of whether I am captain or not, I see myself as a leader and I always want to lead from the front. And obviously in a game like this, not just myself, everyone had to step up,” he said.

“The guys have been brilliant, last year we lost in the Eliminator. It was tough, we had some different personalities this season, but I am really happy that the core of the team was here this year.”

Pooran then doffed his hat to the UAE players, especially opening batter Muhammad Waseem who set the tone for the MI innings with a breathtaking 43 off 24 balls.

“I am really happy that the guys performed. Waseem again, as a UAE player, it was wonderful to see him take the opportunity,” he said.

“The players turned up and delivered for us, that makes me very happy. I think the team owners and the management did an excellent job in putting this team together. From day one, the whole focus was on win, and everyone was on board for that.”

Pooran was also proud to have added a new chapter to the franchise’s glorious history.

MI Emirates is owned by India win Sports, the group which owns Mumbai Indians, the iconic Indian Premier League team.

“I think the franchise, by winning today, became the most successful franchise. I think they have won 10 titles (across leagues) now,” he said.

“I think this is for them. Every tournament they play, their goal is to win it regardless of whether they have a strong team or not.

“They always try to find a way to win tournaments. So this is dedicated to them. I know they are a very passionate franchise and I am just really happy that we could win this title for them.”

Andre Russell’s belligerent knock (71 off 29) and his match-defining 139-run stand with Sherfane Rutherford (67* off 40) alongside Roston Chase’s all-round brilliance (37 off 20 and 2-19) gave West Indies a 37-run win over Australia in the final T20I in Perth on Tuesday (February 13).

The result gave the visitors a consolatory victory to sign off the tour after Australia had already pocketed the series with wins in the previous two games.

Russell and Rutherford produced an explosive display to take West Indies to an imposing total of 220 – the highest score by a visiting side in Australia in this format.

The hosts tried to make a game of the big chase through David Warner (81 off 49) but lost too many wickets in the middle overs to eventually fall well short.

All-rounder Roston Chase believes captain Rovman Powell has been instrumental in improving the fortunes of the T20 unit, as the buildup continues to this year’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and North America.

Speaking following West Indies’ 37-run victory over Australia on Tuesday in Perth, Chase said Powell had instilled “a different vibe” in the camp, which had led to unity and self-belief among players.

The 30-year-old Powell was appointed captain a year ago, replacing Nicholas Pooran who quit after West Indies failed to qualify for the T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022.

Powell subsequently led the Caribbean side to three straight series wins in 2023, defeating South Africa away and India and England at home.

“Obviously West Indies is a big cricketing nation [with] a lot of history, so to miss the last World Cup was heartbreaking for the team and also for the region,” Chase told reporters in Perth.

“But I think this team really have the belief in ourselves – this is our first real [series] loss as a team under the leadership of Rovman Powell.

“I think since he took up the role it has been a different vibe. He has been leading us very well and I want to say a ‘big up’ to Rovman Powell. I think he’s doing a really great job in leading the guys and giving the guys encouragement and keeping us gelled together, so I think he plays a big part.”

Former West Indies captain Darren Sammy was also appointed head coach of the white-ball side last May, a move Chase said had already paid dividends.

“The coaching staff really helps us out a lot,” said the Barbadian, who has successfully reinvented himself as a white-ball cricketer ever since his Test career stuttered.

“They make it their job to give us everything we need to go out there and perform, although we may not have the facilities in the Caribbean like [in Australia]. But once we come on tour, these guys never say no to us so I think that really helps.”

West Indies’ win in Perth was a consolation one, having lost the opener in Hobart by 11 runs and the second in Adelaide by 34 runs.

And they needed the efforts of veteran ball-striker Andre Russell, the right-hander blasting a Man-of-the-Match 71 in helping West Indies to a challenging 220 for six.

Sherfane Rutherford, another batsman who plies his trade extensively on the franchise circuit, chipped in with an unbeaten 67 – his maiden T20 International fifty.

“The thing about this team is everyone enjoys each other’s success and the guys really gel together well,” Chase said of the side’s unity.

“Although we have some big superstars in the team, everyone still lives as a family and, as I said, enjoys each other’s success and wants everyone to do well, so I think that is something great that we have going in the team.”

The West Indies cricket team signed off from their tour of Australia with a resounding victory in the third T20 international in Perth on Tuesday.

Chasing 221 for the win, Australia were restricted to 183 for 5 in 20 overs despite valiant knocks from David Warner and Tim David.

Warner, playing his final international match on Australian soil, top-scored with 81 off 49 balls which included 9 fours and 3 sixes while David remained unbeaten on 41 off 19 balls but still couldn’t take the hosts over the finish line.

Romario Shepherd and Roston Chase both contributed with a couple of wickets each while Akeal Hosein struck once for the Windies.

Russell fires all guns blazing for Windies

Earlier in the day, all-rounder Andre Russell and lower middle-order batter Sherfane Rutherford helped the visitors post a mammoth 220 for 6 after winning the toss.

Russell plundered 71 off just 29 balls with 4 boundaries and 7 towering maximums while Rutherford remained not out on 67 off 40 balls (5x4s, 5x6s).

Australia clinched the 3-match series 2-1 to follow up on the 3-0 whitewash in the ODIs. The two-match red-ball series was drawn 1-1 after West Indies’ historic Test win at the Gabba in Brisbane last month.

 “It’s a very good feeling to come here and get a win. The Australia team is such a strong team and understands their conditions. The boys showed some heart and courage. We had good plans through the three games but execution let us down. We sat down as a bowling group but 240 runs is too many. It’s always good for players to have confidence and we told him [Rutherford] to relax, you are an integral part of the team. As captain going into the World Cup it’s a lot of thought and things I need to think about it.” says Rovman Powell after the victory in 3rd T20I

Glenn Maxwell starred with a century to help Australia beat West Indies by 34 runs in the second T20I at the Adelaide Oval.

Maxwell smased 120 off just 55 balls as Australia posted 241/4 after being put into bat by the visitors.

In reply, West Indies were restricted to 207/9 as Marcus Stoinis bagged three wickets. West Indies captain Rovman Powell hit the sixth half-century of his T20I career.

Australia took an unassailable 2-0 lead with the final game in Perth on Tuesday, February 13.

It propelled Australia to 241-4 and the visitors could only muster 207-9 in reply, led by skipper Rovman Powell’s battling 63.

“It was good fun, that’s for sure. Always good batting here, we saw in the Big Bash how good the wickets were during the tournament,” Maxwell said.

“The wicket was nice and true. I have always relied on my hand speed and it worked for me today. I give myself the best chance always and nice to play a positive knock.”

The hosts won the first clash in Hobart by 11 runs, with one match to play in Perth on Tuesday. West Indies opener Johnson Charles hit a giant six off the first ball he faced in the run chase, knowing his team must come out swinging. A wicket maiden by Josh Hazlewood stymied the threat, with Brandon King caught on the ropes for five.

Nicholas Pooran then took apart the next over from Jason Behrendorff, smacking three sixes in a row, but he didn’t last, spooning to midwicket on 18 as left-arm quick Spencer Johnson picked up a wicket in his first home international.

Marcus Stoinis removed Shai Hope (0) and Charles (24) in his first over to leave them on 62-4.

Johnson collected his second of the night to remove Sherfane Rutherford (0) and Stoinis got his third in Andre Russell (37 off 16), before Powell’s 36-ball knock proved in vain.

“The boys showed courage, they started aggressive but we keep losing wickets and in the middle, we failed to get big partnerships,” Powell said.

“But credit to the Australian guys, they bowled well.”

Earlier, Australian opener Josh Inglis lasted just six balls before being caught in the deep trying to hit Jason Holder out of the ground.

Skipper Mitchell Marsh whacked an enterprising 29 to propel the hosts to 58-2 off their power-play, but he tried one slog too many and was well caught at mid-on by Holder off Alzarri Joseph, with David Warner following soon after for 22.

That brought Maxwell to the crease and he was looking for the boundary with every delivery, finding it frequently with a range of magnificent shots to reach a half-century off 25 balls.

He shared an 82-run partnership with Stoinis (16) before being joined by fellow big-hitter Tim David (31 off 14) in a 95-run stand that saw him bring up his fifth T20 century.