Brathwaite to lead under-strength Pride squad in four-day championship

2026-03-25 - 18:04

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Discarded former West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite will once again lead a Barbados Pride squad missing several of its star players in next month’s regional four-day championships in Jamaica. The 33-year-old opener was named by the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) to captain the 13-member squad that will take on the home side in their opener on April 12. However, the Pride will be without the services of West Indies players Shai Hope, Jason Holder, Roston Chase, Kemar Roach and Matthew Forde. Holder is unavailable due to Indian Premier League duties, Roach is currently playing in the County Championship, while West Indies white-ball captain Hope, Test captain Chase and Forde are all on West Indies leave. West Indies fast bowler Johann Layne is set to make his Pride debut, and along with Jair McAllister and left-arm pacer Ramon Simmonds will lead the fast-bowling attack. Meanwhile, left-arm spinners Jomel Warrican and Joshua Bishop will carry the load in the spinning department. Chairman of selectors, Henderson Broomes said he expects the Pride, who placed second in last year’s tournament, to give a good account of themselves. “Some of the guys have been playing together for a number of years, and our preparation period started right after the Super50 last year. “I think our collectiveness, our cohesiveness and the will to play as a team has finally gotten through to the guys that are representing the island. Collectively I think we have all the bases covered, and I just look forward to all-round team performances,” Broomes said. BARBADOS PRIDE SQUAD: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Joshua Bishop, Leniko Boucher, Shian Brathwaite, Jonathan Drakes, Johann Layne, Kyle Mayers, Jair McAllister, Shayne Moseley, Ramon Simmonds, Shamar Springer, Jomel Warrican, Kevin Wickham. CMC