Kevin Wickham cracks pair of centuries in Four-Day opener

Barbados Pride top-order batsman Kevin Wickham has made a grand statement to start the 2026 West Indies Four-Day Championship season, rattling off a pair of centuries in his team's opener against the Jamaica Scorpions at Chedwin Park, Spanish Town, Jamaica. 

In the first innings, the 23-year-old right-hander spanked a First-Class best of 153 off 193 balls as Barbados posted a formidable score of 348. With the Jamaicans replying with a solid first-innings score of 342, the stylish Wickham returned for more in Barbados' second innings by hitting an unbeaten 108 off 155 balls, his fifth First-Class century in only his 22nd match. In the second innings, Wickham shared in a 116-run stand for the sixth wicket with Shamar Springer (54 off 98) as the Barbados Pride eventually declared on 317 for eight. 

Barbados Pride right-hander Kevin Wickham plays a cut shot against Jamaica Scorpions in their 2026 West Indies Championship Four-Day opener in Spanish Town, Jamaica. Photos courtesy Cricket West Indies/Athelstan Bellamy

Set an improbable 324 for victory on today's fourth and final day, the Scorpions were sitting comfortably at 85 without loss at the time of publication, as the teams looked destined for a draw. 

The Pride and the Scorpions will bowl off the second match of their three-match series from April 19 at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica. 

Summarised Scores: 

BARBADOS PRIDE - 348 (Kevin Wickham 153, Kyle Mayers 64, Shamar Springer 40, Joshua Bishop 37; Marquino Midley 4/32, Peat Salmon 4/104) & 317/8 declared (K Wickham 108 not out, Shayne Moseley 65, S Springer 54, Kraigg Brathwaite 44; M Mindley 3/48, Abhijai Mansingh 2/56) vs JAMAICA SCORPIONS - 342 (Carlos Brown 61, Odean Smith 49 not out, P Salmon 45, Romaine Morris 42; Jomel Warrican 5/71, K Mayers 2/17) & 85/0 (John Campbell 40 not out, Kirk McKenzie 26 not out). 

Kevin Wickham raises his bat after reaching the century mark against the Jamaica Scorpions in their 2026 West Indies Championship fixture. 

Red Force blow away Hurricanes in three days

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force made light work of the Leeward Islands Hurricanes in their opening match of the 2026 West Indies Four-Day Championship when they completed a dominant innings and 271-run win at the Coolidge Cricket ground, Antigua, on April 14. 

The Leewards never came to the party in what is the first of three meetings between the teams in a unique regional season, as they were bowled out for meagre scores of 138 and 98, granting the Red Force victory on only the third day. In contrast, the Red Force batsmen seemed like they were batting on a different pitch. And led by left-hander Amir Jangoo (203 not out off 287 balls), they rattled off an imposing 507 for five declared in their lone turn at the crease. 

Jangoo got to 133 by the end of day two as he brought up his second First-Class hundred. And in tandem with allrounder Terrance Hinds (100 not out off 195), he knocked the stuffing out of the Leewards bowling attack in an unbeaten 253-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Just after the lunch interval on day three, both men got to landmarks, as Jangoo brought up his second double hundred at the regional level, while Hinds got to his second First-Class century, both of which have come against the Leewards. 

With the respective milestones out of the way, the Red Force declared, allowing their bowlers to do the rest. By the tea break, the Leewards were on 37 for three, as pacers Anderson Phillip (two for 18) and Jayden Seales (one for 16) tore through the top order with ease. Skipper Justin Greaves (56 not out off 128) was the only batsman to put up any real fight as the hosts were skittled out for 98 late in the final session. 

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force batsmen Amir Jangoo (left) and Terrance Hinds put the Leeward Islands Hurricanes bowlers to the sword in their West Indies Four-Day Championship match. Photo courtesy Cricket West Indies media

Just like they did in the first innings, spinners Khary Pierre (four for 37) and Bryan Charles (two for 15) accounted for six scalps, with Charles dismissing last-man Oshane Thomas (duck), who was cruelly left on an island by his skipper. Perhaps Greaves' mind and body were tired, as he was the only recognised batsman to score in double figures. The other player to score in double digits was lanky number ten batsman Daniel Doram, who struck two fours in an innings of 16. 

The Leewards post-mortem will be an interesting one then, as they must dust themselves off for part two of their battle with the Red Force, which bowls off at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua, on April 19. 

Red Force left-hander Amir Jangoo delivered a masterclass, notching his second double-century at the regional level. 

Summarised Scores: 

LEWARD ISLANDS HURRICANES: 138 (Jahmar Hamilton 44, Jewel Andrew 27; Bryan Charles 3/9, Khary Pierre 3/34) & 98 (Justin Greaves 56 not out, Daniel Doram 16; K Pierre 4/37, B Charles 2/15) vs TT RED FORCE: 507/5 declared (Amir Jangoo 203 not out, Terrance Hinds 100 not out; Oshane Thomas 3/98, J Greaves 1/64). Red Force won by an innings and 271 runs. 

Briggs: We're all soldiers fighting for the cause

Trinidad and Tobago women's football team coach Damian Briggs said his players are all fully committed to the cause as they count down the days to their pivotal Concacaf W Qualifier against El Salvador at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo on April 17. 

Briggs' charges began a residential training camp yesterday, and the coach reckons the time spent together off the pitch can forge an unbreakable bond as TT go into the must-win match. 

"The closer you can get off the pitch, the better for when you're on the pitch," Briggs told TT Football Association (TTFA) Media. "We're all soldiers, and we're all fighting for the same cause, and everyone is willing to die for someone." 

Trinidad and Tobago women's football team coach Damian Briggs talks to TTFA Media. 

            

Briggs may sound a bit extreme, but the situation is a do-or-die one for TT, who are second in group F on four points heading into the final group match. With only the group winner advancing to the Concacaf W Championship and keeping their 2027 Fifa Women's World Cup dreams alive, TT must defeat group leaders El Salvador (six points) to progress.

He said time away from the intense action allows his players to open up to each other, talk about their families, and share some of the things that bring them joy outside of football. When the game kicks off from 6 pm on April 17, though, Briggs knows it's all about business.

TT have made as many as five changes from the squad which went to Honduras and earned a comeback 2-2 draw last month, with midfielder Asha James among those back in the mix. TT will be without French-based left back Kedie Johnson, who scored a first-half penalty in the draw with Honduras. And though Johnson is unavailable, Briggs believes he has found the right formula by adding sufficient depth to the squad.

"For this one, we thought we just wanted to keep building on what we had. We looked across our bench and we wanted to have as strong a bench as we could have our starting XI," he said. "We had some new faces to look at and we then decided and chose the ones who fit in best with how we play and the style we want to play." 

Trinidad and Tobago left back Kedie Johnson (right) calmly passes her penalty into the net during her team's Concacaf W Qualifier against Honduras on March 4. Photo courtesy TTFA

                        
James is no stranger to the TT setup, but has been in and out of the squad in recent months due to issues with team management. James aside, the players drafted into the squad are central midfielder Summer Arjoon, 19-year-old attacking midfielder Sonia Lamarre, defender Sakiah Williams and striker Nia Hislop, the daughter of TT goalkeeping legend Shaka Hislop.

Briggs said the players want to be part of making history on this World Cup journey, and he asked the TT faithful to come out in their numbers for the team's only home game in this qualifying round.

"I think the girls have worked really hard during the campaign. They want to make the country and their families proud," Briggs said. "That 12th man. It's important to us because they give that energy, lift, and that boost. Them being there will make it more memorable for the players and everyone once we cross the line."

Regular tickets for the uncovered section are priced at $60, while there are two-for-one uncovered section tickets for $100. Tickets for the covered section are priced at $120. Gates open at 5 pm.

Tickets are on sale nationwide for Trinidad and Tobago's Concacaf W Qualifier against El Salvador on April 17.

'Grateful' Asha returns to national setup for Concacaf qualifier

Playmaker Asha James has returned to the Trinidad and Tobago women's football setup for their crucial Concacaf W Qualifier against El Salvador at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on April 17. 

The 26-year-old James has been included in a 23-member squad selected by head coach Damian Briggs and is in line to play her first match for the national team since their opening qualifier away to Barbados on December 1, 2025. Over the past year or so, James has been quite vocal about issues concerning the national team, even calling out the TT Football Association (TTFA) for its perceived lack of preparedness ahead of these qualifiers. 

James stepped away from the team before their qualifier away to Honduras last month, but the Tobago-born player is back and ready to make an impact for the must-win clash with El Salvador. 

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to be back with the national team for our final group match against El Salvador," James said. 

TT women's team midfielder Asha James. Photo courtesy James' Facebook page 

"We understand what's on the line, and there's a strong belief within the squad that we can get the job done and finish top of the group to move on in the World Cup qualifiers," the talented midfielder said. "It won't be easy, but we're ready for the battle." 

James aside, Briggs has drafted in four other players for next week's match, as Summer Arjoon, Nia Hislop, Sonia Lamarre, and California State University defender Sakiah Williams have also been included in the squad. Arjoon is a tidy, ball-playing central midfielder. Hislop is a forward at the University of Massachusetts and the daughter of legendary TT goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, while the 19-year-old Lamarre impressed for TT's under-20 unit at the Jewels of the Caribbean tournament in December. 

While Briggs will be happy to have the services of James once again, France-based left back Kedie Johnson will be a big miss to the squad. The impressive flanker has been ruled out after failing to recover from a concussion she suffered while playing with AS Saint-Etienne. Saudi Arabia-based midfielder Maria-Frances Serrant remains a high-profile absentee. Among the team's regulars are veteran forward Kennya Cordner, Liana Hinds, Aaliyah Prince, Victoria Swift, and teenage star Nikita Gosine, who rescued a 2-2 draw for TT against Honduras with a late penalty. 

TT women's football team coach Damian Briggs (C) speaks to the media at the launch of his team's Concacaf W Qualifier against El Salvador. The launch was held at SIP on the Ave, Ariapita Avenue, on April 2. Photo courtesy TTFA

The task for Briggs' team is a straightforward one, as they must defeat group F leaders El Salvador (six points) in order to advance to the Concacaf W Championship, the final qualifying tourney for the 2027 Fifa Women's World Cup. TT are second in the four-team group on four points. El Salvador blanked Honduras 3-0 in their first match, before hammering Barbados 13-0 last month. Meanwhile, TT opened their campaign with a 5-0 victory over the Bajans, before earning a comeback draw against Honduras to stay alive in the qualifiers. 

As he takes his team into a camp this weekend, Briggs cuts a confident figure. 

"We've selected what we believe is the best possible squad at this time," Briggs told TTFA Media. "There are a few additions who will bring added depth, along with some experienced players returning to the group." 

The match will kick off at 6 pm on April 17, with gates open from 5 pm. Uncovered tickets are priced at $60 (single) and $100 (two-on-one special), with covered tickets priced at $120. 

TT women's team for Concacaf W Qualifier with El Salvador: 

Goalkeepers: Malaika Dedier, Simone Eligon, Akyla Walcott. 

Defenders: Kaitlyn Darwent, Javanah Moreno, Emma Schneider, Myla Schneider, Cicely Spencer Wickham, Victoria Swift, Christa Waterman, Sakiah Williams. 

Midfielders: Summer Arjoon, Ariana Borneo, Elise Franco, Nikita Gosine, Liana Hinds, Asha James, Sonia Lamarre.  

Forwards: Alexcia Ali, Kennya Cordner, Nia Hislop, Aaliyah Prince, Gabrielle Williams. 

TT women's football team squad for the Concacaf W Qualifier against El Salvador on April 17. Photo courtesy TTFA

Rio Cardines signs contract extension with Crystal Palace

Trinidad and Tobago men's team full-back Rio Cardines has signed a contract extension with English Premier League club Crystal Palace. The extension was confirmed earlier today by Palace, with the 19-year-old Cardines now having a deal which runs until June 2028. 

The Stevenage-born Cardines has been a regular in the red, white, and black since featuring for coach Shawn Cooper's national under-17 team in 2023. He then went on to represent TT at the under-20 level before making his senior team debut in the Unity Cup in May 2025 under former coach Dwight Yorke. 

Trinidad and Tobago defender Rio Cardines proudly holds his Crystal Palace jersey aloft. Photo courtesy Crystal Palace

The feisty Palace right back played all three matches at the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, and played the first four matches for TT in the final round of qualifying towards the 2026 Fifa World Cup. More recently, Cardines turned out for TT at the Fifa Series in Uzbekistan last month, as interim coach Derek King's team lost to both Venezuela and Gabon. In the latter match against Gabon, Cardines played a hand in the two goals scored by captain Levi Garcia with a pair of delightful set pieces. Both Cardines and Garcia, however, missed from the spot as Gabon won 3-2 via a penalty shootout after a 2-2 stalemate in regulation time. 

Rio Cardines lines up a set piece against Gabon in their Fifa Series encounter on March 30. Photo courtesy TTFA

Having joined Palace at 16 in 2022, Cardines signed his professional contract with the London-based club in 2024. He made 20 appearances for Palace's under-21 team in the 2024/25 season, with his long-awaited first-team debut coming in October 2025 in a UEFA Conference League clash away to Dynamo Kyiv. Cardines is yet to feature in the Premier League for Palace, but did make a substitute appearance against league holders Liverpool in an EFL Cup match back in October. 

Cardines is delighted to extend his contract with Palace as he hunts for more playing time with the first team. 

"I'm proud and excited to extend my contract here. I'm looking forward to the future and hopefully getting more first-team minutes and continuing to kick on," Cardines said. 

Meanwhile, the club's academy director, Gary Issott, said Cardines has gone from strength to strength and he expects him to continue making strides beyond the current campaign.