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New Barbados Pride one-day head coach Dexter Toppin is confident the team “will do well” in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) CG Insurance Super50 Cup in Antigua, February 7 to 27.The bubbly Toppin has described preparations as “going great” with the Jason Holder-led 15-man squad busy at Kensington Oval and Desmond Haynes Oval.Toppin will also have a new assistant coach in former Barbados and West Indies fast bowler Corey Collymore for the six-team Tournament.

Barbados and Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football referee Tonia Deane has one objective in mind this year and that is to remain safe and healthy.Deane who was shortlisted last year to officiate in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup was this month appointed to the FIFA list as an assistant referee for the sixth year. “My goal in the initial sense would be to remain safe and healthy from the coronavirus. I was injured last year, a non-football related injury. So, I am basically looking to recover from that injury and in the process get fit.

DHAKA, Bangladesh – The West Indies’ tour of Bangladesh has been thrown into turmoil after leg-spinning all-rounder Hayden Walsh jr tested positive for COVID-19, less than a week before the start of the three-match one-day series.Along with all members of the West Indies contingent, the 28-year-old Walsh tested negative before departing the Caribbean last week and again on arrival in the Asian country last Sunday.

Cricket West Indies does not anticipate this year’s home tours being hit by player withdrawals due to the COVID-19 pandemic, contending the decision by 10 first team players to opt out of the upcoming Bangladesh series was based on “unusual circumstances”.Describing as “temporary” the current policy where players were allowed to decline selection in light of the potential risks posed by the coronavirus, CWI chief executive Johnny Grave said he expected selectors to have the full slate of players to choose from, following the Bangladesh tour.

In scrutinising the 15-member West Indies Test squad for the two-match series in Bangladesh next month, the omission of fast bowler Chemar Holder is puzzling.Having impressed in his debut Test – the last of the just concluded two-Test tour to New Zealand with West Indies losing both matches - it was widely expected that the 22-year-old Barbadian would be in the team for the series against Bangladesh.