Young bajans join Barbados Royals ahead of CPL 2025

Barbados Royals have bolstered their squad with a number of aspiring young Bajans as they look to win the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) this year. Some highly-touted players under age 25 were named in the 15-member squad after the official draft process yesterday.

Among the group is Nyeem Young the dynamic allrounder who was captain of the Barbados Pelicans at the recent West Indies Breakout tournament which was played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad. The other fresh faces who will turn out in the Royals blue and pink are: beanpole pacer Johann Layne, left-arm quick bowler Ramon Simmonds, leg-spinner Zishan Motara, keeper Rivaldo Clarke, stylish batter Shaqkere Parris and strongly-built allrounder Kadeem Alleyne.

At the heart of the Royals’ batting is skipper Rovman Powell. He will have alongside him Sherfane Rutherford, one of T20 cricket’s most dangerous finishers who joins from St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and Brandon King, Player of the Season in CPL 2022, who comes after one season with Antigua and Barbuda Falcons. Backed by global stars Quinton de Kock and Azmatullah Omarzai, the Royals’ line-up also includes Jomel Warrican, the West Indies vice captain who was retained after a late call-up close to the end of last season.

Young spoke to NATIONSPORTS and said the goal is to win the tournament. He also outlined that with Jason Holder, the talismanic allrounder leaving to join St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, it presents a chance for a young local player to become the new “face of the Royals”.

“The goal is to win. We have a very good combination in the squad. I believe this is a great group of players who can go on and win the CPL. We want to give our fans something to shout about and win the trophy a third time,” the 24-year-old Young said. “We have some outstanding international players with the skipper and Quinton in our line-up and with the addition of Brandon and Sherfane, that offers a lot of quality in our line-up.”

Young added: “The supporters in Barbados bring a lot of energy and with the formation of the new ‘Fan Club’ this will add a new dimension and positive vibes to the atmosphere here at the (Kensington) Oval when we play at home.

“Jason has been the face of the franchise for a long time, from the first season, he was such a commanding figure on and off the cricket field. So, now that he is no longer here, I see this as a chance for players, like myself, to step-up and make major contributions towards us winning (the title). As local players from Barbados there is that incentive and desire to do well and do something big.”

Barbados Royals have lost the services of two key players: Rahkeem Cornwall, the giant allrounder who blasted a memorable century back in 2024 and Obed McCoy, the versatile left-arm seam bowler. Both will be turning out for Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, the newest franchise who will embark  in their second season.

The home matches at Kensington Oval start on September 4, with the Royals taking on the Guyana Amazon Warriors, followed by clashes against the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons and Saint Lucia Kings on September 5 and 7. The excitement returns as the Royals square off against the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and Trinbago Knight Riders on September 11 and 12.

The franchise is also gearing up to launch its first-ever official fan membership programme — an initiative aimed at deepening the connection between the team and its most loyal supporters on the island.

FULL SQUAD: Rovman Powell (captain), Brandon King, Sherfane Rutherford, Quinton deKock, Mujeeb ur-Rahman, Jomel Warrican, Kadeem Alleyne, Azmatullah Omarzai, Shaqkere Parris, Kofi James, Nyeem Young, Rivaldo Clarke, Zishan Motara, Johann Layne, Ramon Simmonds

MATCH SCHEDULE

August 16: vs Antigua & Barbuda Falcons at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium – 7pm

August 21: vs St Kitts & Nevis Patriots at Warner Park – 7pm

August 24: vs Saint Lucia Kings at Daren Sammy Stadium – 7pm

August 29: vs Trinbago Knight Riders at Brian Lara Academy – 7pm

September 4: vs Guyana Amazon Warriors at Kensington Oval – 7pm

September 5: vs Antigua & Barbuda Falcons at Kensington Oval – 7pm

September 7: vs Saint Lucia Kings at Kensington Oval – 7pm

September 11: vs St Kitts & Nevis Patriots at Kensington Oval – 7pm

September 12: vs Trinbago Knight Riders Kensington Oval – 7pm

September 14: vs Guyana Amazon Warriors at Guyana National Stadium – 7pm

(Philip Spooner)

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