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West Indies coasted to a seven-wicket win against Bangladesh in St. Kitts to claim the three-match ODI series. It was West Indies’ first ODI series win against Bangladesh in 10 years.

They had won the last four ODI series between the two sides too.

West Indies had on Sunday broken Bangladesh’s 11-match winning streak against them in the first ODI.

Jayden Seales’ career-best figures of 4-22 led the home side’s bowling efforts as they bowled out the visitors for 227 in 45.5 overs.

Brandon King then struck a rapid 82 to accelerate West Indies’ chase, as they completed the win in 36.5 overs.

Captain Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford, who struck 113 in the first game, were the unbeaten batters who completed the game.

Bangladesh meanwhile have won just one out of their last six ODI series, while West Indies have turned around their fortunes in the format.

They have now won consecutive ODI series wins after beating England last month.

They had lost ODI series against Australia and Sri Lanka earlier in the year.

Seales gave West Indies the foundation for this win. He dealt three early blows before Gudakesh Motie’s solid 2-36 kept Bangladesh on a leash for much of the middle overs.

Bangladesh could only make a 200-plus total mainly due to a 92-run stand between Mahmudullah and Tanzim Hasan.

It is a new record for the eighth wicket for Bangladesh. Mahmudullah’s 62 was also his third consecutive fifty in ODIs.

It is only the second time in his career that Mahmudullah scored three fifties in a row in ODIs.

When the home side replied to Bangladesh’s 227, King got off to a strong start with five boundaries in the first seven overs, hitting the ball well square on both sides of the pitch.

He moved to 26, while Lewis languished on six off 23 balls. Finally in the ninth over, Lewis struck Tanzim for three boundaries, including a flat six over long-leg.

Lewis struck Mehidy for a huge hit down the ground in the 14th over before getting dropped next ball, when Soumya who couldn’t hold on to a difficult chance.

Lewis was on 29 at the time. After King reached his half-century off 52 balls in the 16th over, Lewis slammed Mehidy for his third six shortly afterwards.

His fourth was a bit of a revenge against Rana who had struck him in the unmentionables during the 20th over.

The pair completed their second century opening partnership this year. King has been involved in West Indies’ last five century opening stands.

This one ended when Lewis, still reeling from that Rana blow, gave Rishad a caught-and-bowled after making 49 off 62 balls.

The wicket didn’t seem to lift Bangladesh who promptly conceded five runs in overthrows.

Litton conceded four byes also. Keacy Carty took advantage of their errors, hitting five boundaries while King slammed three sixes in a short spell.

He launched Rishad twice, apart from lifting Tanzim down the ground, and on to the roof of the pavilion building.

King fell to a Rana yorker in the 29th over. The long shadow of one of the light towers on the pitch could be a reason for King missing that ball, but he walked off quietly after adding 66 runs for the second wicket with Carty.

King struck eight fours and three sixes in his 76-ball stay. Carty fell soon after King, slicing a catch to Rana off Afif Hossain, after making 45 off 47 balls.

Rutherford and Hope blazed Rishad for a four and a six respectively, in his eighth over.

Rutherford played out the final rites of the series when he disdainfully swung Shoriful Islam over square-leg for two sixes in the 37th over, to complete the win. (ESPNcricinfo)

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Guyana’s basketball team will depart for San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Wednesday to compete in the Americas’ premier 3×3 basketball tournament, the FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup, scheduled from December 12-16.

Before their departure, the team made a courtesy visit to the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., at his office on Main Street.

During the meeting, Minister Ramson extended best wishes on behalf of President Irfaan Ali and the people of Guyana, underscoring the government’s unwavering commitment to the development of basketball.

The team’s participation is fully funded by the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, in collaboration with the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA).

Minister Ramson expressed pride in the government’s role as the team’s primary sponsor, highlighting their dedication to basketball development through initiatives like the One Guyana Basketball Premier League.

Leading the squad is Nikkoloi Smith, one of Guyana’s premier 3×3 players, who also competed at the 2022 AmeriCup in Miami.

Smith’s leadership and scoring prowess will be pivotal as he aims to guide the team to a deep tournament run this time around.

Joining Smith is his Ravens Basketball Club teammate, Dominic Vincente, who will make his international 3×3 debut.

Vincente’s athleticism and defensive versatility are expected to provide a significant boost to the team.

The roster also includes Travis Belgrave from Eagles Basketball Club and Harold Adams from the Victory Valley Royals in Linden.

Both bring international experience, having competed with Smith at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Turkey. Their physicality and presence on the court will be vital assets.

Smith, Belgrave, and Vincente previously teamed up with Jude Corlette to form Team Renegade, which won the GBF National 3×3 Tournament in July, showcasing their chemistry and winning mentality.

Guyana Basketball Federation Vice-President Rawle Toney will serve as the team’s coordinator, managing strategy and logistics to ensure the players are well-prepared for the challenges ahead.

Guyana will tip off their AmeriCup campaign in the qualifying round on December 12, facing Haiti and the Cayman Islands in Group A.

To advance to the main draw, the team must top their group, potentially setting up clashes against regional powerhouses Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

The FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup, now in its fourth edition, is the pinnacle of 3×3 basketball in the Americas and serves as a pathway to elite tournaments like the FIBA 3×3 World Cup and the Olympic Games.

Since its debut in 2021, Guyana has steadily built a reputation as a rising force in Caribbean basketball.

In 2022, the team dominated the qualifiers but narrowly lost in the main draw to Canada (17-19) and Mexico (15-16), finishing 11th out of 17 nations with a 3-2 record.

For Team Guyana, the 2024 AmeriCup is more than just another tournament.

It’s an opportunity to elevate the country’s basketball profile, earn international recognition, and inspire a new generation of players back home.

As 3×3 basketball continues to grow in popularity worldwide, Guyana’s participation in the AmeriCup highlights the GBF’s commitment to developing the sport and positioning the nation as a contender on both regional and global stages.

With determination, talent, and government support behind them, Team Guyana is poised to make its mark in Puerto Rico, proving that they are more than ready to rise to the challenge on the Americas’ biggest 3×3 basketball stage.

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The government has since concluded an agreement to establish a modern forensic facility that will serve the entire Caribbean region.

Also, investments are being made to ensure that the existing Guyana Forensic Laboratory is fully operationalized.

These efforts, President Dr Irfaan Ali said, are being spearheaded by the former head of the Criminal Bureau Investigation in India.

“We have just concluded an agreement to have not just an expert, the former head of the criminal bureau investigation in India, to be leading our effort in the establishment of a forensic school and fully operationalise the forensic lab here in Guyana to serve all of the region,” President Ali said while addressing an event on Tuesday.

By enhancing the forensic capabilities, Guyana will be boosting its crime fighting efforts.

“These are not simple investments.

“We have already established that the forensic lab will be there for all of the Caribbean.

“We now will have this asset with the human potential for all of the Caribbean,” President Ali said.

Already, through the partnership between Guyana and India, a number of security officials including members from the Guyana Police Force have benefitted from fully paid scholarships to enhance their skills.

To boost the operations of the forensic lab, experts in the areas of ballistics, handwriting and fingerprint analysis, and crime scene forensics were also hired by the government.

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Navin Stoll, the 26-year-old man who was caught on video brutally stabbing his wife, was remanded to prison after being charged with attempted murder.

Navin, a truck driver, was not required to enter a plea when he appeared at the Diamond/Grove Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday before Magistrate Wanda Fortune. He was remanded until January 10, 2025.

Navin was represented by attorney, Ganesh Hira.

In court, it was heard that Navin constantly abused his wife, Claurine Stoll, and as a result she had moved out of their matrimonial home.

On December 4, 2024, Navin attacked Claurine at Kuru Kururu, along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. She remains hospitalised.

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As the government continues to roll out its part-time jobs initiative, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh is urging Guyanese to shift their focus toward the growing number of full-time job opportunities now available across the country.

During an outreach in New Forest, East Canje at the weekend, Dr. Singh acknowledged the success of the part-time programme, which began in 2022 to help provide immediate employment support to those impacted by the closure of the sugar industry and the neglect of agriculture.

Initially launched to offer temporary work opportunities, the programme has seen significant demand, with thousands of applications still pending.

Dr. Singh revealed that in Region Six alone, there are about 3,000 pending applications for the 10-day part-time positions.

However, the minister pointed out that the economic landscape has shifted dramatically since the programme’s inception.

With large-scale infrastructure projects underway, such as road construction, school building, and hospital developments, the demand for full-time labour has increased substantially.

Construction companies, as well as state-run organisations like the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), are actively seeking workers to meet the needs of the growing economy.

“We have maintained the 10-day programme, but the reality is that the demand for full-time labour has surged.

“What you really need to be looking for is a full-time job because I am sure you don’t want to work only for 10 days,” Dr. Singh said.

While the part-time initiative was never meant to be a long-term solution, Dr. Singh highlighted that businesses and contractors in the region are actively hiring, and the need for workers is only expected to grow in the coming months.

For those currently participating in the 10-day programme, the minister assured that there could be opportunities for transfers to different positions or regions, depending on availability. However, he made it clear that the priority should be securing full-time employment that offers greater stability and benefits.

“We want everyone to eventually transition to full-time work, and you can still manage personal projects, like gardening, while holding a steady job,” Dr. Singh concluded.

“The goal is to move as many people into full-time work as possible, and the growing economy offers plenty of opportunities to do so.”

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West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph has been fined 25% of his match fee for breaching Level One of the ICC Code of Conduct during first ODI against Bangladesh in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Joseph was found to have violated Article 2.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to the “use of an audible obscenity.”

The incident took place before the start of play, when Joseph used offensive and abusive language during an exchange with the fourth umpire.

The umpire had asked Joseph to avoid stepping onto the pitch with his spikes on, which prompted the inappropriate language.

As a result of the breach, Joseph has also received one demerit point, marking his second offence in a 24-month period. The sanction was accepted by Joseph, who admitted to the offence and agreed to the proposed penalty.

This decision was made in consultation with Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, and no formal hearing was deemed necessary.

The charge was levied by on-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Leslie Reifer, third umpire Asif Yaqoob, and fourth umpire Gregory Brathwaite.

Level One breaches under the ICC Code of Conduct carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50% of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

Storming off the field 

Just last month, Joseph was handed a two-match suspension by Cricket West Indies after storming off the field during the opening powerplay of the third ODI between West Indies and England, seemingly fuming with the field he had been given to bowl to.

“I recognise that my passion got the best of me,” Joseph said after the suspension was imposed.

“I have personally apologised to captain Shai Hope, my teammates and management. I also extend my sincerest apologies to the West Indies fans- I understand that even a brief lapse in judgment can have a far-reaching impact, and I deeply regret any disappointment caused.”

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President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Tuesday announced that individuals with various academic degrees will receive new monthly qualification allowances from January, 2025.

The President, after announcing a 10% retroactive 2024 salary increase for public servants, detailed the breakdown of the new allowances.

Individuals with their qualification from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) will get a monthly allowance of $15,000.

Those with a Master’s Degree will get $22,000 monthly, and those with a doctoral degree, $32,000 monthly.

“This is in-keeping with our commitment of incentivising education, incentivising training and the development of our human capital,” the Head of State said.

Public servants to get 10% salary increase this year, 8% next year

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President Dr. Irfaan Ali Tuesday announced that all public servants will received a 10% retroactive salary increase this year.

And in 2025, they will receive an 8% increase.

The President said these increases follow talks with the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU).

“This 10% increase in salary, which is retroactive from 1st January 2024, will amount to 35% cumulative salary increase over the last four years.

“Further, we’ve been able to bring to the union that 2025 will also see an increase in the salary of public servants of 8%,” he said.

Outside of these increases, the Head of State said the government will work on various salary scale adjustments from next year. This move, he explained, is meant to guarantee that the workers take home more money, monthly.

Qualification allowances will also be introduced from January 1, 2025

Individuals with their qualification from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) will get a monthly allowance of $15,000.

Those with a Master’s Degree will get $22,000 montly, and those with a doctoral degree, $32,000 monthly.

“This is in-keeping with our commitment of incentivising education, incentivising training and the development of our human capital,” the Head of State said.

 

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The second week of the Maid Marian Wheat Up Women’s Cup 2024 brought another round of thrilling matches at the Parade Ground, with teams showcasing their determination and skill in pursuit of victory.

Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Group A opened the day with a commanding 14-0 win against the Bartica Football Association.

Sandra Johnson and Niomie Williams each scored two goals, while Glendy Lewis added another brace.

Jalade Trim has been on a goal-scoring spree in the tournament

However, it was Jalade Trim who stole the show with an incredible eight goals.

In a tightly contested match, GDF Group B edged Guyana Police Force Group A 1-0, with Abioce Heywood scoring the decisive goal.

Fruta Conquerors FC secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Bartica Football Association, courtesy of a strike by Rayanna Harris.

The Junior Lady Jags delivered an emphatic 5-0 win over Santos FC, driven by a hat-trick from Marissa Foster, with Leandra Henrito and Whitney King each contributing a goal.

GDF Group A returned to the pitch later in the day to face Herstelling Raiders FC, securing another dominant 11-0 victory.

Glendy Lewis netted three goals, Niomie Williams added two, and Sandra Johnson scored once.

Trim contributed four goals to the tally and forced an own goal.

Trim continues to dominate the tournament, emerging as the top scorer with a remarkable 16 goals over two weeks.

After scoring four goals in the first week, the young talent further showcased her incredible talent this weekend with eight goals in one match and four more later in the same day.

Her exceptional performance has not only led GDF Group A to back-to-back victories, but has also set her apart as one of the tournament’s most impactful players.

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) celebrates the outstanding talent displayed throughout the tournament and looks forward to more exhilarating action in the coming weeks. (GFF Press Release)

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