By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WITH the support of Limegroup, a Digital Transformation Experts group based out of Canada, the Bahamas national cricket team is heading off to the Americas Regional Finals for the final spot for the ICC T-20 World Cup in India in 2026.

The Bahamas, who earned the right to play in the tournament,  will be competing against teams from Canada, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands in Toronto, Canada from June 8-23 at King City, known as the Maple Leaf Cricket Club.

Gregory Taylor, the president of the Bahamas Cricket Association, said they are thankful to the generous support from Arnav Khurana, the head of LCG, and Moles, who is back as the head coach.

“Since the Cayman Islands, we’ve been training like four times a week Monday to Thursday in the afternoon and 4.45 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays,” Taylor said.

“The coach just arrived from South Africa yesterday (Friday) and did a physical test today (Saturday) where the pliers had to run a certain amount of time in a set and he said he was impressed with their fitness level since he last saw them. So I’m happy with that.”

Taylor said when Khurana was in The Bahamas a few months ago patronising the Cricket Club he informed him that he would support Team Bahamas.

Khurana lived up to his commitment and assisted the men’s national team that went to the North American Cup in the Cayman Islands in April where they qualified for Canada.

Once again, Khurana offered his assistance to the team and he made good on his promise to help fund the trip and provide uniforms for the team to compete in.

The team, announced by Taylor over the weekend, said the players all passed their physical test that was administered by head coach Andy Moles on his return to The Bahamas.

Moles, a Level 4 coach, played first class cricket for Birmingham. He has had coaching chores in several countries, but has indicated that he’s keen in working with Teream Bahamas.

Named to the team heading to Canada are the following players: Gregory Taylor, Marc Taylor, Festus Benn, Eugene Duff, Kevorn Hinds, Antonio Harris, Ashok Nair, Dwight Weakley, Everrette Haven, Jevelle Gallimore, Akash Gulati, Dwight Wheatley, Julio Jamison, Jonathan Barry, Sandeep Goud and Shawn Fowler.

As for Team Bahamas, Taylor Sr said Moles is eager to continue to work with them in preparation for the trip. He said the expectations are very high.

“Our expectations are very high because on that given day, the team that is playing well will rise to the top,” Taylor Sr said. “It’s a double round robin with the winner getting the last spot for the World Cup. We hope that we can get it.

“The players are excited, especially after they were reunited with the coach. After they passed his physical test, we were like the happy kids in a candy shop. He was proud of them because they’ve never reached that fitness level in the four years he’s been a part of the team.”

Team Bahamas, according to Taylor Sr, will benefit from Wheatley Sr, who now lives in Canada and Gulati, who is from England.

“I feel good. Dwifght Weatley was with us in Argentina and he helped us with his spin bowling and he will be assisting with his leadership,” Taylor Sr said. 

“And was in The Bahamas from when he was a boy. He’s a Bahamian, but he moved to England where he’s playing cricket. So we know we’re getting somebody that could match what we have or even better.”