Leverock Drafted to Pollard’s Panthers for LLC Season
IslandStats.com
Kamau Leverock is set to rub shoulders with some of cricket’s greatest icons once again after being drafted for the upcoming season of Legends League Cricket (LLC), scheduled to run from January 11th to February 5th, 2026.
The versatile all-rounder has been selected for the Pune Panthers, where he will join a star-studded roster led by West Indian powerhouse Kieron Pollard. The Panthers’ lineup boasts a formidable "Calypso" core, with the inclusion of legendary all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, alongside the elegant Sri Lankan top-order batsman Upul Tharanga.
This season marks the LLC’s most ambitious expansion to date, featuring a seven-city tour across India designed to bring world-class cricket to regions with deep-rooted passion but fewer opportunities to host major international events.
The 2026 circuit will travel through a diverse range of cricketing hubs, including: Gwalior Udaipur Patna Coimbatore Amritsar–Jalandhar * Kochi
The league will also include a high-profile international leg in Sharjah and Doha, aimed at connecting with the vast South Asian diaspora and global cricket communities in the Middle East.
For Leverock, the move to the Panthers follows a successful debut in the league last season with the Gujarat Greats. His ability to provide explosive power at the top of the order and valuable medium-fast overs has made him a sought-after asset in the "legends" circuit, despite being significantly younger than many of his peers.
Speaking on the draft, Panthers captain Kieron Pollard noted the importance of balance in the squad. "We have the experience of guys who have won World Cups, but you need that youthful energy and versatility that someone like Kamau brings. He proved last year he can compete at this level, and we're excited to have him in Pune colours."
Leverock’s inclusion is another boost for Bermudian cricket, coming just as he recently announced his return to the national team setup for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying cycle. The experience of competing alongside the likes of Pollard and Bravo in front of massive Indian crowds is expected to be vital as he prepares for international duty later this spring.
Monday, December 22, 2025
ICC Bailing Out Suspended USA
IslandStats.com
The International Cricket Council (ICC), in a press release on Monday, said it is committed to safeguarding the interests of the USA cricket team’s players despite the ongoing governance and financial crisis within USA Cricket (USAC).
The ICC Board had suspended USAC on September 23, “for serious breaches of the ICC Membership Criteria”, but maintained that the decision must not adversely impact the players and their preparations for the upcoming events, such as the ICC Men’s Under 19 World Cup 2026, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
In the release, the ICC also said it was ready to fund all the aspects of the USA High Performance Programme and pay the players contracted with the USAC during the Board’s suspension.
“The ICC offered to provide funding to USA Cricket by way of a loan in accordance with the Chapter 11 legal process that included, amongst other things, the payment of all player and High-Performance staff salaries. Unfortunately, that offer was not accepted by USA Cricket. The ICC is now, therefore, looking to see if it can make those payments directly, where appropriate, on behalf of USA Cricket,” the ICC added.
An ICC spokesperson said: “Our foremost responsibility is to the players who represent the United States on the world stage. The bankruptcy proceedings initiated by USA Cricket should not, and will not, derail their preparation for ICC events or the LA28 Olympic Games. The ICC stands ready to manage and fund the High-Performance Programme, and ensure all National team players continue to receive the support they deserve. We continue to work closely with the USOPC to build a robust and stable high-performance pathway for LA28. The future of the USA’s players, and the sport’s growth in a key market, remains a major priority for the ICC.”
The USA is set to participate in next year’s T20 World Cup after it secured direct qualification for the global showpiece owing to its impressive run in the 2024 edition, where it stunned Pakistan to reach the Super Eight stage.
Thursday, December 04, 2025
Bermuda Cricket Board Works to Contain Fallout
IslandStats.com
While Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) officials are reported to be scrambling to manage the fallout from recent administrative concerns, possible dates for the 2026 Annual North American Cricket Cup in the Cayman Islands have emerged, offering fans a tentative schedule for the regional tournament.
The BCB is currently attempting to manage the administrative damage control following reports earlier this week. Persistent public silence from the Board regarding immediate national team preparations and the 2026 tournament—despite securing hosting rights for 2027 and 2028—has fueled dissatisfaction among the cricket fraternity. The feeling remains that administrators are comfortable as long as the players bear the brunt of the blame for losses.
Despite the lack of official confirmation from the BCB, tentative dates for the 2026 North American Cricket Cup, which will be hosted by Cayman Cricket, are now circulating.
Cricket fans who wish to attend the annual event can look toward a potential schedule around the Easter period, specifically between March 27th and April 5th.
While these dates require official confirmation from the organizing bodies, they at least provide a ball park figure of when the matches will be played in the Cayman Islands. The tournament features Bermuda, Canada, the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas, and the USA.
Tuesday, December 02, 2025
Bermuda Wins Hosting Rights Amid Administrative Silence
IslandStats.com
The Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) announced a significant victory by securing the rights to host the 3rd and 4th editions of the Annual North American Cricket Cup in 2027 and 2028. However, this success is overshadowed by persistent silence regarding immediate preparations and the 2026 tournament, raising concerns within the island's cricket community.
Bermuda will host the tournament—which features Canada, the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas, the USA, and the home nation—in consecutive years starting in 2027. The next edition, the 2nd Annual North American Cricket Cup in 2026, will be hosted by Cayman Cricket.
Despite these future plans, the BCB has provided virtually no public updates concerning the immediate future of the national team. There has been no news publicly of a squad being assembled for players to begin preparations, nor have any possible dates for the 2026 tournament been released for cricket fans to attend.
The lack of communication from the Board continues to fuel dissatisfaction among the general public and the cricket fraternity. Many observers continue to voice the sentiment that as long as the players bear the brunt of the blame for losing without being given the necessary administrative support or opportunity to succeed, those in the administration will remain comfortable.
The prevailing sentiment suggests that while hosting rights for future years are a positive development, immediate action and transparency are needed to rebuild confidence in the sport's administration and ensure the national team is adequately prepared for the 2026 edition in the Cayman Islands.
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Springer Set to Talk Cricket Crisis on Islandstats.com
IslandStats.com
Vernon Springer, the respected cricket administrator, commentator, and analyst who was recently named a 2025 inductee into the Cricket Hall of Fame, is set to join Islandstats.com on Saturday to discuss the turbulent state of cricket across the Caribbean and Bermuda.
Springer will be live on www.islandstats.com at 5 pm on Saturday to delve into all aspects of the sport's "Fall from Grace".
Springer, whose induction into the prestigious 44th Cricket Hall of Fame class is known for his "brave, unafraid" voice on West Indies cricket. The former Leeward Islands Cricket Board Chief Operations Officer has a career spanning over 40 years as a player, coach, administrator, and journalist.
The discussion comes at a critical time, as cricket in the Caribbean and Bermuda has been on a "roller coaster going backward for a number of years". While players often bear the brunt of the blame for poor performances, Springer has recently been asking a crucial question: Is Leeward Islands Cricket Being Run into the Ground?.
This sentiment echoes concerns in Bermuda, where the decline in the sport has led to questions about preparation, team selection, and the role of administrators. The issue of cricket's decline is often seen as twofold: administrative in nature and player-related.
The veteran analyst is expected to provide his typically honest assessment, addressing the belief that administrators often resist criticism. Administrators love to think that they are doing everything right and anyone who says different gets the Donald Trump treatment. The broadcast is sure to be an insightful and potentially explosive discussion on the systemic challenges facing regional cricket.
