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West Indies‘ Gudakesh Motie isn’t your average spinner. The 30-year-old, whose primary skill is left-arm fingerspin, can also bowl wristspin with that arm, turning the ball away from left-handers, denying them a favourable match-up. Clips of him bowling left-arm wristspin to left-handers in Guyana’s Global Super League earlier this year went viral.

T20 continues to move forward at warp speed, and Motie is expanding his skills and range to keep up.

Besides being the second highest wicket-taker in the CPL since his debut in September 2021, behind only Imran Tahir, his captain at Guyana Amazon Warriors, Motie was recently picked by Paarl Royals in the SA20, and is also part of Quetta Qavalry in the Abu Dhabi T20 league.

He has previously had stints in the PSL (Multan Sultans) and UAE’s ILT20 (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders) as well.

“[Left-arm wristspin] is something I’ve been working on for quite a long time now,” Motie said on the sidelines of a spin-centric camp at the Super Kings Academy in Chennai earlier this month, ahead of West Indies’ tour of Bangladesh. “I think I’m not perfect with it yet and I still have a lot of work to do. That’s something I want to go in the nets and work on, so that I can get it and use it whenever I’m under pressure or bowling to a left-hander.”

Gudakesh Motie is a crucial part of West Indies white-ball set-up (Photo: ECB/Getty Images)

Whether he’s bowling to a left- or right-hander, Motie sees himself as a strike bowler in T20.

The numbers back him up as well.

In his four years in the format, he has taken 118 wickets in 104 innings at a strike rate of 17.7, which is better than fellow West Indians Sunil Narine (23.1) and Akeal Hosein (20.60) and comparable with elite T20 spinners like Noor Ahmad (17.3) and Rashid Khan (17.0) during this period.

“Well, whenever I’m bowling to a left-hander or anyone, I just look to get them out as quickly as possible, because I see myself as a wicket-taker,” Motie said. “And if they’re coming at me, I just find ways to get them off strike.”

At Amazon Warriors in the CPL and the Global Super League, Motie has had veteran Tahir as a sounding board. “Imran is always there to pass on his knowledge to me, so I try to use him as best as possible,” he said. “Whenever we are training, I look at him, look at what he’s doing differently and ask him a lot of questions.”

Motie is now one of the faces of Amazon Warriors along with Tahir and is a crowd favourite in Providence. As a homegrown player, Motie relishes the crowd support and hopes to make the country proud.

“Well, it’s a very proud moment for me. The people in Guyana really love me,” Motie said. “So every opportunity I get, I just want to go out and do it for my family and my country.”

Gudakesh Motie is a CPL crowd favourite (Photo: CPLT20)

It all began at the Albion cricket club in Guyana. “I started to practice [at the club] when I was six years old,” Motie recalled. “I was very young and from there, I was really committed to whatever I wanted. I know cricket was the only thing for me at that age, going forward. And then, I went on to play for Guyana at the youth level at age 10. And going on from there, I went on to play for the same team, played all ages and made my first-class debut in 2015. I took it forward from there.

He had two senior international pros to learn from. “I had Veerasammy Permaul and Devendra Bishoo there with me. They are a very big help to me in my career so far because I learned most of my bowling from those two guys. They were playing for West Indies at the time I was playing youth cricket [for Guyana]. So whatever they know, they’re always passing it on to me and we always work together.”

Motie also draws inspiration from other giants of spin. “Coming through, there were players like [Daniel] Vettori and [Ravindra] Jadeja. I’ve picked up a lot of things from Vettori – the way he uses the crease and the pace with which he bowls.”

Like Vettori did back in the day, Motie also brings the traditional skills of a left-arm fingerspinner. He can give the ball a rip and toss it up liberally, daring batters to go after him. When Ben Stokes tried to whip him hard into the leg side in the Lord’s Test last year, Motie got one to fizz out of the footmarks and knock out middle stump. That ball elicited a nod of acknowledgement from Stokes at the time.

“I was just trying to hit my length there and there was a rough outside there,” Motie said. “But, fortunately, it spun and went through and hit the stump, which I was very happy with. It was a big wicket for me.”

Motie was rested for the recent two-match Test series in India, but remains a crucial part of West Indies’ plans for next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Gudakesh Motie: “Definitely, that [batting] is something I’ve been working on for quite some time now.” (Photo: Getty Images)

He is yet to play international cricket in India – he has played a handful of games in Sri Lanka – but he seems to have a fair understanding of what to do in these conditions, thanks to his camp with Keacy Carty, Sherfane Rutherford, Amir Jangoo, Ackeem Auguste, and CWI talent manager Jamal Smith at the Super Kings academy earlier this month.

“It was a very good opportunity to come to Chennai because you’re bowling on different pitches,” Motie said. “It’s black and red soils, which I haven’t bowled on before. I think it’s a great opportunity for me to gain that experience, going to play a series in Bangladesh and then the World Cup here.”

Motie also has ambitions of being an all-rounder. He showed his batting potential in his ODI half-centuries against England in 2025 and against Sri Lanka in 2024. Occasionally, Amazon Warriors have also used him as a pinch-hitter in the CPL.

“Definitely, that [batting] is something I’ve been working on for quite some time now,” Motie said. “I want to turn into a general allrounder. I don’t want to just be a bowler; I want to contribute with the bat too. I’ve been putting in a lot of work and I came here and put a lot of work into it. So, hopefully, whenever I get the opportunity, I can do it.”

West Indies are in the middle of a big block of cricket: their ongoing white-ball tour of Bangladesh will be followed by an all-format tour of New Zealand, with the T20 World Cup being the marquee ICC event in 2026. Motie’s form and multi-dimensional skills could be central to their chances, especially in the white-ball game, during this busy period for them. (ESPNcricinfo)

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The Lusignan Golf Club came alive on Sunday as 36 golfers battled it out under clear skies for top honours at the Bruster’s Real Ice Cream Golf Tournament 2025.

The course was in splendid shape, lush fairways, smooth greens, and a gentle breeze that tested every shot, setting the perfect tone for a day of spirited competition.

Emerging triumphant was Kassam Oliver, who carded a gross score of 85 with a 22 handicap, finishing on a net score of 63. His steady play throughout the round secured him first place in a strong field.

Anthony Scares followed closely with 86 gross, 23 handicap, and 63 net, losing narrowly on countback, while Roy Dhori finished third with 83 gross, 18 handicap, and 65 net.

In the special categories, Miguel Yunis unleashed a powerful drive to capture the Longest Drive award, while Mike Mangal displayed pinpoint accuracy to win Nearest to the Pin.

The Best Gross title went to Feroze Barkat 76, who delivered consistent form throughout the day.

The tournament, now an annual favorite, once again showcased the strong partnership between Bruster’s Real Ice Cream and the Lusignan Golf Club.

The course buzzed with camaraderie and anticipation as players gathered at the 19th hole to discuss their rounds and look ahead to the next big challenge, the Brava Guyana Open, scheduled for November 1-2, 2025.

LGC Secretary Chet Bowling extended gratitude to the sponsors, saying, “A big thank you to Bruster’s. The Bruster’s brand has been a great supporter of the Lusignan Golf Club over the past six years. Led by Director Paton George, the company clearly understands its corporate social responsibility.

“What’s also important is the number of players the tournament attracted, 36. This was a very high turnout and is reflective of the sponsor, but also a buildup to the Brava Guyana Open. You could feel the air pulsating at the 19th hole as players shared their anticipation for the major tournament.”

With the Brava Guyana Open just days away, Oliver’s win adds a thrilling chapter to the club’s competitive season and signals an exciting showdown ahead for Guyana’s premier golf event.

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What was supposed to be a simple, routine Sunday treat turned into tragedy for six-year-old Soraya Bourne, who lost her life in the fiery explosion at the Mobil gas station at Regent and King Streets, Georgetown.

Now, her grieving mother, Samantha Roach, is seeking for answers and justice as she struggles to make sense of her daughter’s horrific death.

The News Room visited Roach’s home, where she sat surrounded by relatives, eyes swollen from crying and recalled her last moments with her youngest child.

“She excited fah go buy she chicken every Sunday… she got to get she money to go buy she chicken no matter wah you cook… she want she KFC,” the distraught mother said.

It was their routine, every Sunday, Soraya and her cousins would hop into her aunt’s car and head to KFC. This time, they never made it back.

At about 19:36 hrs Sunday night, the deadly explosion changed everything.

“Somebody come and ride tell me how meh niece car just blow up at the gas station.

“I rush go but by time I reach, they done carry some of them hospital,” Roach said.

At the hospital, she frantically begged for information.

“They keep asking me details about she… then I ask one of the girls to look and the girl seh no, she can’t see. The other one pull the blind and they start holler out. Me daughter lay down there dead.

“Onto now they ain’t tell me how meh daughter dead. They had me there questioning and questioning. I keep hollering, ‘meh daughter name Soraya Bourne! I want see meh daughter!’ When I finally see she… I blackout. I ain’t know nothing after that,” Roach told the News Room.

Soraya, who was seated behind the driver’s seat in the car, died at the scene. She was later rushed to the hospital by persons in the area.

“A man had to tek she and put she on he shoulder and beg a woman. The woman seh she can’t carry the rest, but she tek she,” Roach said.

The explosion left others badly injured.

The car Soraya was in, PTT 8275, was driven by Genica Hooper. The other three occupants were: Rashad Lord, 8; Sadiya McClintock, 11 and Yevonne Jonas.

For Roach, who described her family as “one big happy family,” the loss feels unreal.

“Every Sunday they does go buy they chicken and they does come back. Whole day yesterday (Sunday) she (Soraya) deh playing with them lil children, whole day. She too young fah get a death like that. I didn’t mind if she did sick… duh is a cruel death. She didn’t deserve to die like that,” Roach said through tears.

Police are searching for a man, believed to be Spanish-speaking, who allegedly left two suspicious bags at the gas station shortly before a powerful explosion.

Police sources told the News Room that CCTV footage shows the suspect—wearing a blue jersey, black pants, a light green hat, and grey slippers—arriving at the fuel station around 18:15 hrs carrying two large black garbage bags.

Police searching for man believed to be behind deadly gas station explosion 

He reportedly attempted to dump the bags in a bin but was stopped by a pump attendant.

The man then walked to the southwestern side of the compound, near cages used to store cooking gas cylinders, where he placed the bags on the ground before leaving south along King Street.

At approximately 19:36 hrs, an explosion erupted from the same area, damaging the fuel station building, several vehicles, and nearby structures.

Roach is now clinging to memories of her daughter’s joy and innocence and a birthday that will never come.

“She birthday coming up next month. I buy she a tablet for she birthday, but she godmother buy a more fancy one. The tablet come and she never get it. She never get fah hold it,” Roach cried.

As she wiped away tears, Roach plea was simple.

“I need some type of justice for meh daughter. Like I can’t do nothing without it. She was meh baby, meh last one. I just want justice,” she pleaded.

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Police are searching for a man, believed to be Spanish-speaking, who allegedly left two suspicious bags at the Mobil Fuel Station at Regent and King Streets, Lacytown, shortly before a powerful explosion killed a six-year-old girl and injured several others on Sunday night.

Police sources told the News Room that CCTV footage shows the suspect—wearing a blue jersey, black pants, a light green hat, and grey slippers—arriving at the fuel station around 18:15 hrs carrying two large black garbage bags.

He reportedly attempted to dump the bags in a bin but was stopped by a pump attendant.

The man then walked to the southwestern side of the compound, near cages used to store cooking gas cylinders, where he placed the bags on the ground before leaving south along King Street.

Six-year-old Soraya Bourne died after the explosion

At approximately 19:36 hrs, an explosion erupted from the same area, damaging the fuel station building, several vehicles, and nearby structures.

Investigators discovered a two-foot-wide crater and fragments of black plastic and transparent tape, which have been sent to the Police Crime Laboratory for analysis.

The explosion resulted in the death of six-year-old Soraya Bourne.

She was in a silver Toyota Premio (PTT 8275) occupied by Jenica Hooper, 27, her mother Yvonne Honas, 71, and two other children, Seddia McIntosh, 12, and Reshard Lord, 7.

Browne was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital, while the others sustained injuries and remain hospitalized in stable condition.

Investigators are making efforts to locate the suspect.

President Dr Irfaan Ali has since directed that a full-scale investigation be launched into the explosion.

6-Y-O girl dies after explosion at Regent Street gas station

 

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West Indies captain Shai Hope led a batting turnaround that helped his side win by 16 runs against Bangladesh in the first T20I in Chattogram. Hope and Rovman Powell, playing his 100th T20I, put together a late burst of sixes to help the visitors to 165-3.

In reply, Bangladesh crashed to 42-4 in the Powerplay, and were bowled out for 149.

Jason Holder and Jayden Seales took three wickets each, while Akeal Hosein picked up two in the Powerplay.

It was, however, Hope and Powell’s unbroken 83-run stand for the fourth wicket that set up victory. Hope scored an unbeaten 46 off 28 balls with a four and four sixes. Powell had similar numbers, facing 28 balls, hitting four sixes and a four, and ending up unbeaten on 44.

Nasum keeps WI quiet

Bangladesh began well with the ball. They rallied around Nasum Ahmed’s four overs. He went wicketless but the left-arm spinner kept West Indies quiet, conceding just 15 runs in his quota.

Openers Brandon King and Alick Athanaze only hit a six each though they stuck around for 8.2 overs. Rishad Hossain bowled Athanaze for 34, when the batter missed a reverse sweep. Taskin Ahmed then removed King, caught at deep square leg for 33.

Taskin followed up with the wicket of Sherfane Rutherford, whose Bangladesh ordeal continued. This time, he fell first ball, caught behind. Although Hope struck couple of sixes at this stage, West Indies couldn’t quite push the scoring rate. Nasum finished off his spell with another stingy over, the 15th.

Hope, Powell roar in the end

Hope then went after Rishad with two sixes, but with three over remaining, the visitors looked well short of a decent total. Hope cracked a Taskin half-volley for his fourth six to start the 18th over. Powell, meanwhile, finally middled one with seven balls remaining in the innings.

He slog-swept Mustafizur Rahman for a 102m six, before creaming Tanzim Hasan for three consecutive sixes in the last over. He hammered Tanzim’s full-toss, before going straight for the next two. West Indies picked up 51 runs in the last three overs, changing the complexion of the contest.

Bangladesh crash in the powerplay

Bangladesh came out all guns blazing in their pursuit of 166 runs. Tanzid Hasan was going at a shot-a-ball but he lasted just five balls, with Romario Shepherd taking a stunning catch running back from mid-on.

Litton Das then played a soft shot as Akeal Hosein got the ball to stop on the Bangladesh captain. Caught in two minds, Litton popped back a return catch, with Hosein taking it blind behind the non-striker standing next to him.

Hosein then had Saif Hassan caught at short fine leg in the next over, attempting a sweep. When Holder removed Shamim Hossain in the fifth over – clipping off his off-bail – West Indies had made significant progress, with Bangladesh’s last pair of specialist batters at the crease by the end of the powerplay.

Tanzim, Nasum make late effort

The hosts continued to slide when Khary Pierre bowled Nurul Hasan off the inside edge in the ninth over. Towhid Hridoy joined the procession when he fell to Seales in the 12th over. He struck just two fours in his 28 off 25 balls.

Tanzim Hasan then struck a six and three fours in his 33 off 27 balls, to keep Bangladesh’s hopes alive. He added 40 runs for the seventh wicket with Nasum, before Holder had him caught at deep point in the 16th over.

Nasum kept the fire burning with another boundary, but Seales made him his third wicket in the following over.

Holder then snuffed out the threat of Rishad, who miscued one to long-off. The innings ended when Taskin stepped on the stumps in the final over, having sent Holder sailing out of the ground in the 18th. (ESPNcricinfo)

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See full release from the Office of President Dr Irfaan Ali, issued on Monday October 27, 2025: 

While on official duty in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I received comprehensive briefings late last night and early this morning regarding the circumstances surrounding the explosion at Mobil gas station at the corner of Regent and King Streets, Georgetown and the resulting demise of young Soraya Bourne and critical injuries suffered by Sedyia McIntosh and Rishad Lorde, and the injuries of Jennifer Cooper and Yvonne Jones.

I have directed that a full-scale investigation be launched immediately and that every available resource and investigative tool be utilised to determine the precise cause and circumstances of this incident.

I was also briefed on the identification of an individual of interest, and I have instructed that images of this person be circulated widely so that the public may assist the Guyana Police Force by sharing any information that could aid the investigation.

Last evening, Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond visited and expressed condolences to the mother of little Soraya, and Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony is continuing to follow up with the doctors who are treating the injured.

I also extend my deepest sympathies to those affected and their families. I have spoken directly with the medical teams attending to the injured and have instructed that every form of support and care be provided to those under treatment.

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See below the full statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday morning: 

The Ministry of Home Affairs wishes to inform the public that the Guyana Police Force has identified and is actively pursuing a suspect believed to be responsible for the explosion that occurred last evening at the Mobil Service Station, located at Regent and King Streets, Georgetown.

The tragic incident, which involved several motor vehicles, claimed the life of six-year-old Soraya Bourne and left four others injured.

In response to the incident, Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Oneidge Walrond, convened a high-level meeting early this morning, with Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan; Head of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), Mr. Sheldon Howell; Commissioner of Police, Mr. Clifton Hicken; and Deputy Commissioners of Operations and Administration, Mr. Errol Watts and Mr. Ravindranauth Budhram.

The Ministry continues to work closely with the relevant security agencies to ensure that all aspects of this tragic event are thoroughly investigated and that justice is served.

Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond, convened a high-level meeting on Monday morning

 

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Parika businessman, Robal Nebar, who owns and operates Styles Guyana at the Parika Shopping Plaza, was on Sunday robbed by armed bandits of approximately $10 million in gold jewellery and cash.

Mr. Nebar was about to pack up to close his business at around 14:00 hrs when masked gunmen pounced upon him, placed a gun to his head, grabbed a gold chain he was wearing at the time, and proceeded to empty the glass case of all the gold jewellery he had on display.

The two bandits fired shots as they made their escape on a motorcycle.

This is the third time the businessman has been robbed. Earlier in February this year, the same business was robbed of millions in cash and jewellery.

Parika Police have been aware of the robberies, but to date, there has been no success in bringing the perpetrators to justice. One policeman was informed of the incident immediately after, and his response was that “the business always gets robbed.”

The incident has left the businessman’s family traumatised, and they are appealing for the immediate attention of law enforcement authorities to find the persons responsible for this latest robbery and the previous ones.

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See below full statement issued by the Ministry of Education:

Minister of Education, Sonia Parag has confirmed that the $2.6 billion state-of-the-art Hosororo Secondary School complex in Region One (Barima-Waini) is on schedule for a January 2026 completion. The Minister and a team from the Education Ministry conducted a site visit on Sunday to meet with the contractors and to assess the facility’s progress.

​“The complex… is quite a massive complex that is going to comfortably hold 800 students,” Minister Parag said.

​To ensure that this completion date is met, Minister Parag also set out several short-term deadlines, notably for the electrical installation and completion of the teaching blocks. She stated that within the next two weeks, one of the two teaching blocks, each comprising five building, will be completed and ready for intake.

Minister of Education, Sonia Parag during a visit to the site (Photo: Ministry of Education/October 26, 2025)

“Two of these buildings will be fully completed by November 7th,” Minister Parag stated, adding that the goal is to “transition students as fast as possible into the new buildings so that they can be in a comfortable space.”

​The project encompasses several modern facilities, including laboratories, a dining area, and specialized facilities for Science, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Information Technology, Home Economics, and Industrial Technology.

​Minister Parag was very keen on inspecting the modern living quarters which are designed to house up to 30 teachers.

​“We want to be able to have our teachers as well in comfortable conditions,” Minister Parag said, emphasizing how important these facilities are for staff retention.

The Hosororo Secondary School complex in Region One (Barima-Waini) is on schedule for a January 2026 completion (Photo: Ministry of Education/October 26, 2025)

​Furthermore, the dedicated dormitory, which will provide residence for some 350 students, is projected to be fully operational by December.

The overall goal is to initially accommodate approximately 400 of the 800 students who will be attending the school from the various communities scattered across the North West Region.

​“We are looking to have the entire building all of the buildings be ready by the end of December,” Minister Parag said, “then we want to be able to move all of the students into the various buildings by January for the January to April term or Easter term.”

​The Education Minister stressed that all utilities for the school, especially the essential services like running water, electricity, proper plumbing, and washroom facilities must be prioritized.

​Moreover, to ensure that water shortage is never an issue, a well will be specifically constructed to serve the entire complex.

The Education Ministry is currently working along with the Guyana Water Incorporated to ensure that this is up and running within a month. In the interim, a reservoir is being used for water supply.

​The Minister concluded her visit by reiterating the collective commitment to the deadline. “The contractors have given their commitment to completing the project on time, which is the 24th of January 2026,” she stated. She also confirmed she will make an interim visit to ensure all short-term deadlines are met.

The Minister’s team also comprised of Permanent Secretary, Shannielle Hoosein-Outar; Chief Education Officer, Mr Saddam Hussain; Deputy Chief Education Officer (Administration), Ms. Tiffany Harvey; Deputy Chief Education Officer (Amerindian and Hinterland Education Development); and Mr. Sherwyn Blackman, Assistant Chief Education Officer – Secondary.

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