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Sunday, February 01, 2026
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LA28 Organizers Consider New York Move for Cricket
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The organizers of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are weighing up a bold move to stage cricket matches in New York, thousands of miles away from the host city, in a bid to maximize global television ratings. The potential decision is primarily driven by the significant time difference between California and the Indian subcontinent, which officials fear could alienate the sport's largest fan base.
Casey Wasserman, chairperson of LA28, confirmed that while the team is "still working through the specifics," the goal is to find the best possible platform for cricket’s Olympic return.
"If we can find a place for cricket in Los Angeles, in the region, we will," Wasserman stated. "If not, it's incumbent upon us to find the best place to produce the best cricket".
The 12-hour and 30-minute gap between Los Angeles and India presents a major scheduling headache. A primetime 8:00 PM start in California would air at 8:30 AM in India, missing the lucrative evening viewership window.
In contrast, New York sits only nine hours and 30 minutes behind India. Staging matches on the East Coast would allow for morning starts in the U.S. that align perfectly with primetime evening slots in the Asian subcontinent—a strategy successfully employed during the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup.
While most LA28 venues have been confirmed, cricket remains an outlier due to a lack of existing permanent infrastructure in Southern California. Major League Cricket (MLC) currently utilizes venues in Dallas and North Carolina, but neither offers the broadcast advantages of the East Coast.
New York’s pedigree as a host was proven during the 2024 World Cup at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, a modular facility that was dismantled after the tournament. There is also speculation regarding a permanent stadium in Marine Park, Brooklyn, though its completion date remains uncertain.
When the first ball is bowled in 2028, it will mark cricket’s first Olympic appearance in over 128 years. The sport last featured in the 1900 Paris Games, where Great Britain defeated France in a one-off match.
Cricket joins an expanded roster for the Los Angeles Games that includes baseball, softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash, as the IOC seeks to diversify its appeal to younger and more international audiences.
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Saturday, January 31, 2026
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BCB in "no man's land" Leadership Silence Fuels Frustration
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 The Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) has been plunged into a fresh administrative crisis, leaving the local cricket fraternity to ask: why have the clubs not yet demanded an emergency meeting to address the mounting chaos? Following a week of contradictory announcements, public denials from national legends, and a wall of silence from the executive, the sport currently stands in what has been described as "no man’s land".
The controversy ignited last Wednesday when BCB President Lloyd Smith announced a new four-man coaching panel—rather than a traditional head coach—to lead the senior men’s national team. The panel was said to include legendary all-rounder and former national captain Janeiro Tucker and his business associate Mahesh Hatkar.
However, the Board's strategy was dismantled less than 24 hours later when Tucker vehemently denied any involvement.
"There is no truth to the statement that we are part of that four-man national coaching panel," Tucker told IslandStats.com. "I have to clear my name because I am not a part of this and I have not agreed to become coach of the national training squad".
Tucker, who operates the 186 High Performance Cricket Academy, expressed anger that the BCB would claim his associate, Hatkar, was part of their setup without a formal contract or any affiliation between the academy and the Board.
Compounding the frustration is the apparent breakdown in communication between the Board and the media. Reports indicate that President Lloyd Smith and CEO Calvin Blankendal have failed to respond to emails and phone calls from IslandStats.com seeking clarification on the coaching disconnect, player morale, and the lack of signed contracts.
This silence comes at a critical juncture for the national program:
April 4–12: The North American Cup in the Cayman Islands is just weeks away.
June 19–28: Bermuda is set to host the ICC T20 World Cup Americas Sub-Regional Qualifier.
Player Morale: Reports suggest several senior players are considering pulling out of the 25-man training squad due to the ongoing instability.
Historically, the BCB is a representation of its member clubs, who hold the power to call a Special General Meeting (SGM) or a vote of no confidence if they are dissatisfied with the Board's performance. Yet, despite the technical director moving roles, a "disarrayed" coaching panel, and serious budgetary concerns, the club representatives have remained largely quiet.
With the international calendar looming and the BCB’s "Plan B" unknown, the question remains: how long will the clubs wait before demanding answers for their players and the future of the game?
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Saturday, January 31, 2026
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Bean Rosario's Leeward Islands Suffer Third Straight Defeat
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Leeward Islands 146 Jamaica 149/2
The Leeward Islands' difficult run in the CG United Women’s Super50 Cup continued on Saturday as they fell to a clinical eight-wicket defeat against Jamaica at the Sion Hill Playing Field in Saint Vincent. The result marks a third consecutive loss for the winless Leeward Islands, who remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament standings.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Leeward Islands struggled to build significant partnerships and were eventually bowled out for 146 in the 38th over. Reniece Boyce provided the most resistance with a top score of 37, but the innings was dismantled by a superb spell from Chedean Nation, who claimed impressive figures of four wickets for 23 runs.
The Jamaican response was emphatic, as they reached the target of 149 for the loss of just two wickets with more than five overs to spare. Lena Scott led the charge for the victors, anchoring the chase with a well-played 47. Despite the defeat, Davronique Maynard stood out for the Leeward Islands' bowling attack, finishing with two wickets for 37 runs from her eight overs.
Bermudian all-rounder Katherine Bean-Rosario was a notable absentee once again, missing out on the starting XI for the third match in a row. The Leeward Islands will now look to regroup as the tournament enters its final stages, while Jamaica’s victory keeps them in contention with the top half of the table.
Leeward Islands Inning
..00 (02) Qiana Joseph c Chedean Nation b Celina Whyte
..07 (10) Kayzg Boyles Run Out
..37 (63) Reniece Boyce c Neisha-Ann Waisome b Chedean Nation
..27 (37) Amanda Edwards c Scott b Chedean Nation
..29 (41) Jahzara Claxton b Stafanie Taylor
..17 (28) Shawnisha Hector c Wilmont b b Chedean Nation
..08 (15) Tonya Martin Not Out
..01 (09) Chey-Anne Moses Run Out
..00 (04) Rozel Liburd b Chedean Nation
..03 (07) Davronique Maynard c Deers b Stafanie Taylor
..04 (10) Aaliyah Weekes LBW Celina Whyte
..13 Extras (1b-1lb-11w)
146 Total All Out after 37.4 overs
Fall of Wickets: 1-0 (Joseph), 2-9 (Boyles), 3-72 (Edwards), 4-77 (Boyce), 5-126 (Hector), 6-130 (Claxton), 7-134 (Moses), 8-135 (Liburd), 9-139 (Maynard), 10-146 (Weekes)
Jamaica Bowlers
6.4-0-19-2 Celina Whyte
4.0-1-10-0 Kate Wilmott
8.0-0-32-0 Vanessa Watts
7.0-0-34-2 Stafanie Taylor
8.0-0-23-4 Chedean Nation
1.0-0-08-0 Neisha-Ann Waisome
3.0-0-18-0 Jaunel Deers
Jamaica Inning
..39 (80) Chrishana McKenzie b Davronique Maynard
..47 (80) Lena Scott c & b Davronique Maynard
..26 (37) Rashada Williams Not Out
..19 (12) Stefanie Taylor Not Out
..18 Extras (3lb-14w-1nb)
149 Total for 2 wickets after 34.4 overs
Fall of Wickets: 1-94 (Scott), 2-104 (McKenzie)
Leeward Islands Bowlers
6.0-0-26-0 Shawnisha Hector
8.0-0-33-0 Chey-Anne Moses
6.4-1-27-0 Qiana Joseph
6.0-0-23-0 Amanda Edwards
8.0-0-37-2 Davronique Maynard
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Friday, January 30, 2026
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Visa Heartbreak for Leverock Ends India Dream
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Bermudian all-rounder Kamau Leverock has been forced to withdraw from the inaugural World Legends Pro League T20 in India following a devastating visa delay. Despite being drafted as a marquee "youthful energy" player for the Pune Panthers, Leverock received his travel documents only after the tournament had already commenced, making his participation impossible.
The 31-year-old was set to represent a star-studded Panthers squad led by Kieron Pollard and featuring global icons Dwayne Bravo and Upul Tharanga. The tournament, which began on January 26 at the newly inaugurated 1919 Sportz Cricket Stadium in Goa, offered Leverock a prestigious platform to "mix it up" with some of the game's former greats.
Leverock’s absence is a significant blow for both the player and the Panthers' strategy. Captain Kieron Pollard had previously highlighted Leverock’s inclusion as vital, stating the team needed his "youthful energy and versatility" alongside their World Cup-winning veterans.
The all-rounder’s participation was expected to be a crucial marketing opportunity following his recent return to the Bermuda national team fold for the upcoming World Cup qualifying cycle. After a successful stint with the Gujarat Greats last year, Leverock had been looking to further establish himself on the lucrative global franchise circuit.
The Pune Panthers were scheduled to open their campaign on January 27th against the Gurugram Thunders. With the visa only arriving after the first ball had been bowled, the window for integration into the 10-day event closed prematurely.
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Friday, January 30, 2026
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Bascome Jr. Elected President of Flatt's Victoria
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Flatt's Victoria Cricket Club is under new leadership, as Nelson Bascome Jr. has become the new club President, taking over from Jon Carey.
Bascome Jr., represented Flatt’s Victoria in the Eastern County Cup making his debut in 2001.
Over the years Bascome Jr. played in 18 matches, batting 16 times scoring a total of 134 runs, with a highest individual score of 42.
In the Bowling department, Bascome Jr. has bowled a total of 144 Eastern County Cup overs, with 18 maidens, he has claimed a total of 19 wickets for 655 runs, he has also hung onto 5 catches.
The new Flatt’s Victoria Executive consist of:
Nelson Bascome - President
Kiwan Franks - Vice President
Xavier James - Treasurer
Leanna Lambert - Secretary
Joanne Carey - Assistant-Secretary
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