The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) Guyana held its 11th Annual National Diya Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at Rahaman’s Park Intersection (DPI photo)
Four-lane Stanleytown bridge to be completed by mid-December
CONSTRUCTION
works for the expansion of the Stanleytown bridge along the West Bank of Demerara corridor into a fourlane modern concrete structure will be completed by the second week of December.
This is according to the head of GAICO Construction and General Services, Komal Singh, who in the wee hours of Sunday morning provided an update to President, Dr Irfaan Ali during a site visit.
“I am here with the contractor. I have said to him we need to double up our efforts, we have to work 24 hours, seven days per week to ensure we get this bridge completed. There were some difficulties in moving some of the utilities and I am here
tonight,” President Ali said.
While works are ongoing, the old infrastructure will remain in place for commuters. Though there has been some inconvenience, President Ali assured that the contractors will implement an additional shift to ensure works are completed.
Currently, contractors are working from 04:00hrs to 22:00hrs daily.
Meanwhile, Singh noted that in addition to the Stanleytown bridge, two other bridges are under construction and this is in addition to road works which will enhance traffic flow in the area.
Works have begun on the new bridge following a consultation with residents and other stakeholders back in November 2024
“Currently, we need to build three bridges to satisfy the demand here. Two bridges are in process right now. This e ntire project, these bridge projects are expected to be completed by the second week of December.”
Singh noted that several major components of the work have already been completed.
The $3 billion project will also include the rehabilitation of five kilometres of road and the construction of 3.5 kilometres of drainage systems.
The project will require adjustments from key utility providers such as Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) in the relocation of pipelines, leading to temporary water disruptions.
Also, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) will re-route electrical lines, causing short-term outages while the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will work to ensure that drainage systems remain functional during construction.
“We already have all the precast slabs, all concrete bridges. Those slabs are already prepared. We just need to get the piles into position. Put on all the caps and then rest the slabs on top of it.”
24/7 drone monitoring, early warning systems for traffic control
- President Ali announces, reads riot act to East Bank road contractors following recent congestion
By Naomi Parris
PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali on Sunday read the riot act to contractors and the consultant of the ongoing East Bank Demerara road expansion project.
This came after
the Coast Guard, along with the contractor China Road & Bridge Corporation, and the consultant Sheladia Associates Inc.
“It is clear to me that enough effort is not placed in contract management and the workflow plan, and as
out of Guyana opted to walking from Land of Canaan along the East Bank of Demerara corridor to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) due a crippling buildup of traffic caused by ongoing roadwork at Soesdyke.
violations.
Specific measures proposed included establishing a permanent traffic management system with drone support, deploying technology for 24/7 monitoring, and implementing an early warning system to handle con-
crippling traffic congestion was reported along the corridor due to poor management of the project last week.
The Head of State met with officials of the Ministry of Public Works, the Guyana Police Force and
a result, you are causing tremendous hardship on the people who are using this road,” he told the stakeholders gathered at State House, Georgetown.
Last week it was reported that several persons travelling
To avoid a reoccurrence, President Ali instructed Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken to establish a permanent presence along the corridor, utilising a containerised control system that will manage traffic and identify
President Ali on Sunday met contractors and the consultant of the ongoing East Bank Demerara corridor expansion project. Other stakeholders were also present (Office of the President photos)
traffic control team,” the President asserted, adding:
“All the trucks that are breaking the rules, all the trucks that are breaking the laws, forming three lanes and four lanes, you have to charge the drivers.”
LIQUIDATED DAMAGES
the commuters, you have to put the people in during the night, increase your machinery, and increase your workforce. I said this more than once,” he said.
The contractor and consultant will submit a revised work plan within 24 hours.
gestion and unforeseen circumstances.
“The role of the police is to maintain the discipline, so we avoid the type of challenges. So we are putting a system in place. There must be a daily work plan discussed with the
Meanwhile, the President asserted that liquidated damages will be applied to all parties involved if the project is not accelerated. He further emphasised the need for comprehensive project management, including a clear workflow plan, increased machinery and workforce, and better coordination among stakeholders, including contractors, consultants, and police.
“I was there one morning, two-thirty in the morning, and hardly anyone was working. For this project to be completed and for less disruption to
Works this year began on a section of the US$75.8 million project, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which is divided into three sections to help minimise disruption and keep construction on schedule.
While the current contract involves upgrading the road to two lanes, during a consultation in May, it was revealed that the government is exploring the option of expanding the corridor to four lanes from the Timehri Police Station to the Soesdyke Junction. This would require full use of the 80-foot government reserve.
New transmission to soon be installed along East Coast Railway Embankment
PILE driving has begun along the East Coast of Demerara, to install new 69 kv transmission lines that will replace the old network and improve electricity reliability, President Dr. Irfaan Ali revealed on Sunday afternoon.
These works are a part of the ongoing US$192M Railway Embankment Road project.
President Ali had recently visited several work sites along the corridor where several sections of the road are nearing completion, including a new bridge across the Hope Canal. Once completed, this bridge will connect to the larger four-lane road stretching from Mahaica to Sheriff Street, which President Ali said is 77 per cent complete.
menting the existing two-lane structure, giving a combined six-lane crossing that will still be in use.
The completion of the project is expected by October 30, but the Head of State had acknowledged that the main challenges impeding its progress are the relocation of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) transmission lines.
The new Hope Bridge now carries four lanes, comple-
The relocation of utilities is being paired with major upgrades to the power system, ensuring that new devel-
opments along the east coast corridor are fully integrated into the grid. These include the Enmore industrial zone, the LBI commercial/light industrial hub, and surrounding housing schemes.
The President revealed, too, that almost all lanes from Mahaica to Good Hope have been surfaced, with only the utility-occupied sections left to be done.
President Ali further assured residents that concerns over access to their yards
have been resolved, with new entrances already rebuilt.
In December 2022, the government and the People’s Republic of China signed a framework concessional loan agreement for us$192 million to finance Phase 11 of the East Coast Road project.
Works are being executed by China Railway First Group Company Limited (CRFG).
Once completed, the project is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion along the East Coast corridor, improving travel times and road safety for thousands of commuters.
The project forms Phase Two of the Annandale to Mahaica, and Sheriff Street to
Orange Nassau initiative, and measures approximately 30.8 kilometres in length, with an additional 5.3 kilometres allocated for the upgrade and widening of the Belfield to Orange Nassau (Mahaica) Public Road.
The works include upgrading Sheriff Street to Enmore from two lanes to four, covering 18.24 kilometres. New construction will take place from Enmore to Mahaica, a section that spans 7.73 kilometres.
The project also involves the construction and widening of 76 bridges and 42 culverts, along with the installation of 28.32 kilometres of concrete drains on both sides of the roadway.
Pile driving has begun along the Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara, to install new 69 kv transmission lines (Office of the President photos)
Government’s genetic improvement programme a clear success – Minister Mustapha
- farmers showcase their best at GLDA’s Ruminant Expo
AS part of the 2025 Agriculture Month activities, Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha attended the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA)’s Ruminant Expo, held at the Rising Sun Turf Club in Region Five.
The event brought together livestock farmers, producers, and other stakeholders to showcase developments in the ruminant industry and celebrate local talent.
While speaking with members of the media, Minister Mustapha highlighted the importance of ruminant production to Guyana’s agriculture sector. He noted that ruminant farming is part of the DNA of Guyanese farmers, emphasising that the animals on display at the expo were a clear demonstration of the local livestock sector’s resilience.
“This shows our resilience as a country. In the livestock sector, we’ve been moving rapidly. I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen here. These animals are not the GLDA’s animals. These are farmers’ animals. Farmers who’ve worked with us in our genetic improvement programme and have benefited from breeding stock, artificial insemination, or em-
bryo transfer. From what I’ve seen here today, our genetic improvement programme is a clear success. We are working with cattle farmers across the country to develop the beef industry, and from the ministry’s standpoint, we’ve been working with a company from Brazil to develop our farm in Ebini, where we are concentrating on dairy. Soon, we’ll commission a state-ofthe-art abattoir at Onverwagt, and you know we have to ensure we produce enough meat for that facility. Based on what I’ve seen here today, if very impressive because it shows that over the last five years, we’ve exceeded our target as it relates to the number of animals that are available,” he explained.
He said that the GLDA has been working with the farmers to provide breeding animals and technical sup-
port over the last five years and that, based on what was showcased at the expo, the ministry’s genetic improvement programme has been yielding great success.
The expo featured 16 competitive categories ranging from livestock exhibition to cooking contests, with one farmer set to be crowned the Grand Champion. The event served as a platform to highlight improvements in livestock breeding and management.
In his remarks, Minister Mustapha also shared updates on several key government initiatives aimed at supporting and expanding the ruminant industry. He referenced the importation and distribution of Black Belly sheep as part of a wider effort to enhance meat-type breeding in collaboration with private farmers. The government
is also investing in pasture development and strengthening extension services to better support farmers on the ground.
For the cattle industry, the Minister pointed to the ongoing bull rotation programme and the distribution of breeding bulls.
According to the Minister, the government’s expansion plans for the livestock industry include the continued advancement of genetic programmes, the
development of a 5,000-acre area equipped with a training center and facilities to support livestock farmers, and the allocation of new lands to assist farmers with scaling their operations.
He disclosed that construction of a new processing facility for small ruminants is also on the agenda, as the government seeks to create a more robust and value-added livestock industry.
A key part of the GLDA’s genetic improvement strategy
is the embryo transfer (ET) programme, which will see 1,000 embryos being made available to local farmers. These will include both dairy and beef breeds, aimed at accelerating genetic progress and increasing productivity across the country’s livestock farms.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Duan Ellis and other Heads of Departments were also present. (MoA)
Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha with participants at the Ruminant Expo
Sustainable, People-Centred Strategy
THE government’s energy policy promotes a sustainable, environmentally responsible future for Guyana. By 2030, Guyana’s additional generation capacity is projected to reach 1,216 megawatts, with natural gas accounting for approximately 74 percent, hydropower 13.6 percent, and solar and other renewables 12.4 per cent.
The 165 megawatt Amaila Falls Hydropower Project remains instrumental in boosting renewable energy capacity and providing reliable power to the grid, supporting Guyana’s goal of reducing emissions by 70 per cent by 2030. Additionally, the plan also includes
adopting intermittent renewable energy sources and implementing battery energy storage systems by constructing in excess of 133 MWp of Solar PV farms across the regions of Guyana. This will improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and assist Guyana in meeting and sustaining its emissionsreduction targets.
These initiatives form part of Guyana’s broader Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS 2030) and its transition towards a diversified and cleaner energy mix.
They also reflect the government’s belief that energy transformation must go hand in hand with economic inclusion, creating afford -
able, sustainable power to drive industry, reduce emissions, and uplift communities. Through this balanced approach, the administration continues to prove that environmental responsibility and economic development can advance together.
This balanced and diversified energy mix not only aligns with the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, but also positions Guyana as a regional leader in renewable integration and climate resilience. These installations of solar farms along the Essequibo Coast, Demerara, Linden and hinterland regions, coupled with battery-energy storage systems, will ensure grid stability
while reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
At the core of every national transformation are the people who make it happen. The GPL modernisation programme is not only about technology and infrastructure; it is about building human capital and ensuring that Guyanese men and women are at the forefront of the energy revolution.
Through initiatives such as the Energy Apprenticeship Programme (GUYSOL Initiative) and the Women in Solar Energy Training Programme, opportunities are being created for young people and women to gain hands-on experience in renewable-energy sys-
ANUG Chairman resigns
THE following is the full statement issued by A New and United Guyana’s (ANUG) General Secretary Jonathan Subrian on Sunday, regarding the resignation of Dr. Mark France, the party’s Chairman:
“The Executive Committee of A New and United Guyana (ANUG) today announced the resignation of its Chairman, Dr Mark France, effective immediately. Dr France has stepped down due to
personal reasons and a desire to focus on other commitments.
“In the recent past, Dr France served as ANUG’s Chairman and his second stint, as Chairman, commenced in December 2024. Dr. France has been a pivotal figure in shaping ANUG’s direction and contributing to Guyana's political landscape.
“In his resignation statement, Dr. France expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve. ‘It has been a pro-
Dr. Mark France
found honour to serve as Chairman of ANUG and
to work alongside so many dedicated patriots who believe in a better future for all Guyanese. While I am resigning from my executive role, my belief in the core principles of ANUG remains steadfast. I will continue to support the party's mission in other capacities and wish the Executive Committee every success in the future.’
“The Executive Committee of ANUG has accepted Dr. France's resignation with sincere regret and
tems, installation, and entrepreneurship.
Partnerships with the University of Guyana and other technical institutes are also strengthening the pipeline of engineers and technicians, aligning academic curricula with industry needs. Continuous on-the-job training with international partners ensures that local staff are fully equipped to manage new systems, advancing both efficiency and national self-reliance.
These investments align with the government’s belief that progress is sustainable when it is inclusive, and when development empowers people, creates jobs, and builds a future anchored in knowledge and inno-
vation.
In addition, GPL’s collaboration with global partners is enhancing the technical and managerial capabilities of its workforce.
The integration of structured on-the-job training, leadership development, and modern management systems ensures that employees are not only competent in new technologies, but are also empowered to lead the utility into a new era of operational excellence.
This focus on human capital development ensures that the benefits of modernisation are sustained and that Guyanese professionals remain central to the nation’s energy success.
- cites personal reasons, desire to focus on ‘other’ commitments
deep appreciation for his immense contributions.
“On behalf of the entire ANUG family, I extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. France for his visionary leadership, unwavering dedication, and invaluable service, and respect his decision to pursue other endeavours at this time.
“We are also grateful that Dr. France has not resigned his membership in ANUG but will remain a supporter as we move forward.
“ANUG assures its
members and the public that an orderly transition process is underway.
The Executive Committee will convene to appoint an interim Chairman and other executive roles in accordance with its constitution, with a permanent election to follow at the next appropriate party congress.
“ANUG remains committed to its mission of promoting unity, transparency, and equitable development for all citizens of Guyana.”
Walton-Desir, Norton are on a selfdestructive path
I HAVE argued since 2020 after the elections disaster finally came in August of that year, that the PNCR was playing a psychological game with its supporters that will lead to electoral destruction of the party. It happened in 2025.
There was a low turn out in many traditional PNCR areas and different analysts will offer different perspectives as to why this happened. There is of course no single explanation for the abstentions on September 1, 2025, but one explanation that no one has offered so far is that psychological game.
What was his game about? From the time President Ali was sworn in on August 2020, right up to the next elections in 2025, the PNCR, their surrogates and the AFC have blamed the PPP/C for rigging the elections thus giving themselves power. The mantra of Henry Jeffrey became the PNCR’s anthem. Jeffrey exclaimed that in nine out of the 10 regions, the elections were extensively rigged
by the PPP/C. For some esoteric reason, Jeffrey made no mention of Region Eight.
Jeffrey said in some regions such as Regions Two, Three and Six, the fraudulent operations were way beyond 50 per cent. The inbuilt asininity in the PNCR’s adoption of Jeffrey’s fiction even a 10 year old could have detected. I have written on this asininity extensively and although Guyana has moved far away from the insanity of the 2020 elections disaster, I am revisiting it once more for two reasons.
One is that the psychological farce thrust upon PNCR supporters in 2020 came back to haunt the party in 2025, and I will clarify that below when I describe Jeffrey’s asininity. The other reason is that the PNCR has learnt nothing from the failure of their 2020 psychological charade. They are still singing this worn-out anthem that will see a continuing devastation in 2030, at which time the PNCR may not even get a seat.
Once more, I will describe the comicality in the story of the PPP/C rigging the 2020 polls. I asked then and I am asking now, how was this PPP/C machinery able to completely manipulate the elections operations when it was not the incumbent but the opposition? There is no case study in modern politics where an opposition hijacked an election. In 100 per cent of the time, it is the incumbent that perpetuates the fraud.
Since 2020, the PNCR and its prophet Henry Jeffrey have not offered the PNCR supporters even a modicum of explanation as to how the PPP/C controlled the 2020 elections procedures when the incumbent had the following:
1-David Granger, the President, who was also the former head of the army
2-Joseph Harmon, Minister of State in the Ministry of the Presidency, who was also the former chief of military intelligence
3-Winston Felix, Minister of Citizenship,
who was the former Commissioner of Police
4-Edward Collins, Presidential Adviser, who was a former head of the army
5-Mark Archer, head of presidential communication and a retired army officer
The commonsensical question that will always be asked is given the military ramparts that were in the PNCR government during the 2020 polls, what were they doing when the PPP/C had taken over the electoral operation in 2020? The commonsensical answer is that no opposition in history or in the current world could have taken over and rigged a general election as an opposition party.
So, we come now to a theory for the low turn out in PNCR strongholds in 2025. Here, more commonsense is at work. Is it not possible that if you tell your supporters that the PPP/C is invincible and could do whatever it wants in Guyana, then as a logi-
cal and commonsensical question they will ask – why are we going to vote in 2025 when it is a foregone conclusion?
A simple analogy from cricket should suffice. The Boxing Day Test in Australia normally carries a huge attendance. People will not go to see it if Australia’s opponent is Nepal. The logical reasoning is that the results will be known before even a ball is bowled, so why go when you know what will happen?
Now, Aubrey Norton and Amanza Walton-Desir who played the psychological game with PNCR supporters in 2020 are on the same self-destructive path. Norton told his interviewer that when it comes to rigging the PPP/C is unscrupulous and the 2025 poll was tampered with by the PPP.
Let’s quote Walton-Desir: “WHAT THE PPP IS DOING — AND I’VE SAID THIS FOR FIVE
YEARS NOW — IS THAT THEY’RE DELIBERATELY ENGINEERING THE POPULATION TO MAKE GUYANESE VOTES IRRELEVANT. THEY CAN DO WHATEVER THEY WANT, AND THEN ELECTIONS HAPPEN, AND BECAUSE THEY HAVE ENGINEERED THE SYSTEM — WITH THE CAPTURE OF GECOM — THEY CAN DO AS THEY LIKE.”
This is fatalism coming from Walton-Desir. When you tell your supporters the PPP/C is all powerful Leviathan then, why ask Guyanese to vote for you. They will not because you tell them you cannot win. DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
Darren Wade confirms PNCR–WIN electoral collaboration
- says Norton sanctioned WIN’s court action
ATTORNEY and People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) member Darren Wade has publicly disclosed that his decision to initiate legal proceedings on behalf of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), a party headed by United States (U.S) sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed, was made at the behest of senior party officials and with the full endorsement of Opposition Leader
Aubrey Norton. In a Facebook post on Sunday, Wade stated that the request came after several banks had severed ties with WIN. He noted that before proceeding he sought explicit confirmation from Norton, who not only approved the move but also encouraged him to provide legal assistance to the embattled entity, despite internal objections from other PNC-affiliated attorneys.
Wade also sought to clarify the details of a failed deal between the two opposition parties to secure chairmanship of key Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs).
“With regard to the failed negotiations, WIN’s position in Region 10 was understandably difficult. They could not have secured both the Chair and Vice Chair positions since they did not hold a majority. They needed 10
seats but obtained nine. However, as a relatively new party, only a few months old, some missteps are understandable,” Wade wrote.
Wade’s revelation provides clear evidence of collaboration between the PNCR/APNU and WIN and directly contradicts claims by Azruddin Mohamed that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had been in secret partnership with the PNCR.
“The APNU/PNCR, on the other hand, as a party with more than 70 years of history, should have approached the negotiations with greater political maturity and strategic foresight,” the PNCR member added. Attorney-at-law Darren Wade
Guyana shines at expo in Osaka, Japan
GUYANA secured the Bronze Award for Exhibition Design under the sub-theme, “Connecting Lives”, at Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan, one of three global themes alongside Empowering Lives and Saving Lives. This recognition celebrates Guyana’s creativity, cultural richness, and the unique way our pavilion connected people through stories of unity, sustainability, and shared humanity. Expo 2025 featured over 160 countries and regions showcasing their culture, innovation, and creativity, with more than 90 countries participating in the Commons Pavilion, a shared international platform divided into six buildings (A–F). This makes Guyana’s award a truly remarkable achievement. Mr. Martin Brock and his team at Branderz Guyana received a special thanks from the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) for a job well done (Photos: Guyana Tourism Authority/Facebook)
HH the Amir receives written message on bilateral relations from President Ali
HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AI-Thani has received a written message from HE, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali concerning bilateral relations and ways to support and develop them.
The message was received by HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi during his meeting on Thursday with HE Ambassador of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to the State Safraaz Ahmad Shadood (DPI photo)
Guyana’s first law school: land cleared, construction to begin soon
THE proposed site for Guyana’s very own Council of Legal Education (CLE) law school has been cleared, and construction is expected to begin soon.
This is according to the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, who conducted a site visit on Sunday, and stated that prior to the clearing of the eight-acre plot, it was overgrown with vegetation.
“We commissioned the
clearing of the land and the land is now cleared. It measures approximately eight acres. It is located at the southwestern part of the university [of Guyana] premises,” he said. The school is being built at UG’s Turkeyen campus.
While noting that the land is located aback the university’s Department of Law, they would have had to clear a path to create an access road to the site.
“We will start construction very shortly,” he emphasised in the Facebook video.
Just last month, during
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, speaking during the site visit
his inaugural address, President, Dr Irfaan Ali disclosed that the CLE had granted Guyana approval to establish its own law school.
At that time, he had noted that with the approval granted, work would commence immediately on the establishment of the school, thus enabling hundreds of persons to qualify as Attorneys-at-law right here in Guyana with full rights to practise in the Caribbean.
For decades, Guyanese law graduates were required to pursue their Legal Education Certificates (LEC) at CLE law schools in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and other Caribbean territories.
The law school is expected to strengthen
Guyana’s legal infrastructure, broaden professional opportunities and provide affordable access to high-quality training for future lawyers.
Last year, the Attorney General presented a draft feasibility study to the CLE, during which he said that the project has been a priority for Guyana and would see the government providing land and financing construction of the institution, while the CLE would oversee management, similar to the way it runs the three other regional law schools.
A section of the cleared land where Guyana’s first law school will be constructed
Adjustments made to Constitutional Reform Commission’s draft bill made
ATTORNEY-GENERAL and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, has announced that amendments have been made to the draft bill governing the Constitutional Reform Commission to reflect the new parliamentary configuration following the recent elections.
Speaking recently, Nandlall explained that the commission’s work had been temporarily paused during the elections period but will resume soon.
He said: “Another issue that has raised some public concern is the Constitutional Reform Commission. Now the Constitutional Reform
Commission, as all of you, we know, consists of 10 members of the government and the parliamentary opposition in the National Assembly; five from the government and five from… the opposition.”
“A decision was taken unanimously that the commission will not stop its work because it has a full-time chairman, but members will be excused who have political commitments.”
Providing further clarity, he said: “That is 50 per cent right away of the commission, and that decision was taken unanimously by members of the commission.”
Nandlall pointed out
that it was impractical for politically active members to continue attending meetings during the campaign period.
“How can you sit when you have political responsibilities on a daily basis, a nightly basis, that take you away from Georgetown invariably, and take you into different parts of the country, which make it impossible for you to meet and do anything constructive,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, he explained that the current challenge stems from changes in the parliamentary composition since the act was originally passed.
“The act was drafted for that particular parlia-
mentary configuration that existed at the time, and that act was passed unanimously, and it was the product of a select committee,” Nandlall stated.
At that time, he added,
“We named the political party, and now you have
a different configuration, which [is] in keeping with the spirit of the act… we wanted five members of the government and five from the opposition.”
“Adjustments have already been made to a draft bill, and as soon as Parliament resumes, of course, it has to receive the imprimatur of Cabinet… that bill will have to be considered by the National Assembly,” Nandlall stated.
To this end, he added that one member of the commission has since stepped down. “I see one member of the commission has already resigned following the same trend of thought that I have expressed here,” he noted.
As a result, adjustments were made to the draft bill to ensure that the new composition would be consistent with the principles of balance and representation that guided the original legislation.
Zero-tolerance policy for citizens not being served well
SENIOR Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, has issued a stern call for improved service delivery within the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), reminding staff that they are on the “front line” of citizen engagement and must keep high standards of professionalism.
Dr Singh was at the time speaking at the NIS’s 56th Anniversary General Assembly,
during which he said: “You are dealing with citizens. You have a duty to provide a service to the people of Guyana who come into an NIS office, and it is not good enough to have people waiting, to have them running from one office to another, to have them turned away for some spurious reason. It's not good enough.”
As such, he stressed that the government has taken a firm stance on the issue, noting, “This government led by Pres-
- Minister Singh says, urges NIS staff to provide quality service to everyone
ident Ali, and I'm saying this openly and publicly, this government led by President Irfan Ali is very clear: we have a zero-tolerance position on citizens not being served well.”
To this end, he expressed dissatisfaction with reports of poor cus-
tomer service and made a direct appeal to staff members who are unwilling or unable to meet the required standard. “If you feel that you are not in a position to do so for whatever reason, please make way for others who are more willing and able to do so.”
Highlighting the importance of empathy in service delivery, Dr Singh added, “Most of the people who come into the NIS are the elderly and the infirm or the ill, and these people are counting on us to provide service.”
While he acknowledged that progress has been made, the minister emphasised that there is still more work left to be done. “I have seen, of course, vast improvement, and it would be remiss of me not to compliment the board and the management for the tremendous progress that has been made. I've seen the backlog of cases cleared up. We’ve cleared up thousands of cases in backlog. We have done a tremendous job in reconciling the outstanding reconciliations that were needed for people's accounts. But we still have work to do,” he said.
Against this backdrop, the finance minister urged staff to embrace innovation and adapt to the country’s rapid development and said, “I want us to consider that we are doing so at a time when much is changing in our country, and it is changing at a meteoric speed. Things are changing rapidly before our eyes, and we need to stay apace. We need to change the mode in which we are operating. We need to reinvent ourselves, change how we are operating.” It was then that he said that the manner in which they operate must change to ensure that the scheme remains modern, as an outdated and archaic scheme has no place in modern Guyana.
Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C.
Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh (Japheth Savory photo)
Medex De Peana highlights her fulfilling roles in healthcare over the years
By Michel Outridge
MEDEX Sarah De Peana is a remarkable professional whose journey in healthcare exemplifies dedication and purpose.
As the Coordinator of the Medex Training Programme at the Health Sciences Education Department, Ministry of Health, she embodies the spirit of mentorship, motivation, health education, youth advocacy, women's empowerment, and entrepreneurship.
Known as "a Ray of Sunshine", Mrs. De Peana radiates positivity and vibrancy, driven by her core values of resilience, determination, and self-motivation.
Originating from Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo, Region Three, she began her medical career at the young age of 17 as a volunteer. By 21, she was already qualified to be a Registered Midwife.
After six years of dedicated service as a midwife, she took the opportunity to further enhance her expertise through the Medex Training Programme in 2006.
Her impactful contributions continued in Region Three from 2009 to 2015, where she served as a Medex, significantly impacting many lives.
In this role, she improved her understanding and developed her leadership skills. The diverse and specialised responsibilities she undertook offered her invaluable opportunities to demonstrate and grow her competencies in patient care effectively.
Throughout her career as a Medex, De Peana embraced various roles, especially during impactful medical outreach initiatives.
Her greatest passion was women's health, caring for the elderly, and making a difference through community services. She often reflected on her practicing days, valuing the meaningful interactions with elderly patients who looked forward to their clinic appointments with her.
One particular elderly patient, who migrated to another country, made biannual visits and continually expressed gratitude for the exceptional care
he received, often praising De Peana for providing the best medications.
This bond between healthcare provider and patient blossomed into a profound trust, a vital connection that every healthcare provider should strive to cultivate.
Upon reflecting on her professional journey, she recognised that her most rewarding experiences were dedicated to serving the community of Leguan.
She recalled travelling to the island in the Essequibo River three times per week to offer her services, discovering the joy in uplifting the lives of the people on that island.
However, those happy experiences presented her with some of the most intriguing cases that she had to manage.
As a Medex, Mrs. De Peana made substantial contributions through additional roles within her region.
REWARDING
CAREER
From 2011 to 2015, she managed the daily operations of the Diabetic Foot Centre at West Demerara Regional Hospital. Her commitment ensured
that patients with diabetic foot complications received compassionate and comprehensive care, with a focus on wound care, treatment and minor surgeries.
She served in the Cancer Screening Programme (VIA Provider) from 2013 to 2015 at Leonora Cottage Hospital and West Demerara Regional Hospital.
Her responsibilities included performing cervical cancer screenings, educating patients on the vital importance of early detection, and creating a supportive environment for women undergoing the procedure.
She valued her time in this department, knowing she made a meaningful impact on many lives.
From 2012 to 2015, she deputised part-time as Senior Health Visitor. In this role, Mrs. De Peana developed her managerial and leadership skills, which positively impacted public health outcomes.
She played a vital role in managing the Medical Outreach Programme, which reached communities as far as Clemwood in the Demerara River, and Makouria in the Essequibo River in Region Three.
Additionally, she provided various services to people in all ten administrative regions of Guyana, leaving a lasting legacy in the pursuit of healthcare for all.
She cherished the vibrant cultural diversities found in other regions, for each one is a unique tapestry of its own.
Medex De Peana served as Senior Medex in the Regional Health Services Department at the Ministry of Health from 2015 to 2017.
This position was pivotal for the administration and management of Medex services, which are vital for ensuring quality healthcare.
Her responsibilities involved offering technical support and guidance to Medex and Community Health Workers across diverse regions, empowering them to enhance their capacity to deliver impactful services.
In this role, she also deputised for the Chief Medex and Coastland Coordinator. During this time, she also worked closely with the Chronic Disease Unit and the Cervical Cancer Program (VIA). In this capacity, she organised training sessions, outreaches, supervision, and even continued to conduct screenings herself.
She recalled witnessing the struggles of women facing cervical cancer, which often weighed heavily on her heart, yet these situations fueled her determination to make a difference.
She firmly believed that early detection saves lives, and passionately urged women to consult their healthcare providers.
To this day, she continues to
empower women with knowledge on the prevention of cervical and breast cancer.
After spending two impactful years as the Senior Medex, Mrs. De Peana embraced the role of Coordinator of the Medex Training Programme at the Health Sciences Education Department in 2017, a position she holds with pride to this day.
She described her journey in this role as truly remarkable, fueled by her passion for advocating for young people.
This position resonates deeply with her purpose, allowing her to refine her expertise in coordination, organisation, and evaluation of educational programmes.
It not only empowered her to make a significant contribution to the institution's growth and development but also served as a catalyst for enhancing her professional skills and deepening her knowledge in meaningful ways.
She is thrilled by the opportunity to confront diverse challenges and collaborate with talented students, creating a vibrant atmosphere of mutual learning and innovation.
Her greatest fulfillment comes from shaping and inspiring her students to grow into exemplary leaders of the future through the transformative power of education and mentorship.
She is dedicated to continually improving and embodying the qualities of an extraordinary leader and role model within the healthcare system.
Believing in the power of education, she empowers students with the essential knowledge and skills to create a positive impact, understanding that healthcare is an ever-evolving field where leaders must embrace continuous improvement and innovation.
In the Medex Training Programme, students from the hinterland and riverain communities embark on a transformative journey.
Beyond her daily duties, Mrs. De Peana is the Co-owner of Twinkles Elementary School and My Michelle’s Boutique. She takes pride in modeling her own clothing line and helps with the management of the school.
As a dedicated mother of two sons and a cute grandson, she motivates those around her.
Moreover, Mrs. De Peana is a motivational speaker, and together with her husband, they provide valuable counselling on family life, encouraging growth and connection within their community.
Medex De Peana was publicly recognised and awarded many times for her hard work and dedication. Among her accolades are the 2003 Outstanding Midwife of the Year (International D ay for Midwives)Ministry of Health – Region Three in 2003. In 2014, she was Honored for helping Mothers have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies (International Day of Midwives) - Ministry of Health – Region Three. In 2017, she was honored in Recognition of Outstanding Excellence in the VIA Program (Cervical Cancer Awareness Month)Ministry of Health - Chronic Disease Unit and in 2022, she received one of the 25 Influential Women’s Leaders Awards.
As Medex programme celebrate its 48th anniversary in Guyana on October 18, 2025, De Peana, a dedicated Medex, passionately encourages young people to take up the available training opportunities in her field.
She expressed her profound gratitude to the Ministry of Health and the Government of Guyana for investing in her.
She is also thankful for the many individuals who have inspired her throughout her journey in healthcare.
With a promise to serve her country to the best of her ability, she embodies the spirit of dedication and service.
They receive comprehensive training that equips them with the knowledge, skills, and competencies to excel, empowering them to deliver the highest quality healthcare to everyone regardless of the circumstances or who they are.
Medex Sarah De Peana
Yonette Walters retires after serving 37 years as a teacher
By Michel Outridge
YONETTE Gordon Walters, a stalwart in the teaching profession with 37 unblemished years of service, has finally retired to focus on family life and other things.
the skirt and long-sleeved blouse her Aunt Vilma gifted her to wear on her first day of work as a schoolteacher.
She always has a positive attitude which she credits for her success in realising her dreams, goals and ambitions.
She officially put away her chalk this year to bask in her golden years.
It was a bright Sunday morning, 55 years ago, that Vibert Gordon and Elaine Gordon birthed their seventh child, Yonette, who is fondly called “Yonnie” by family members and others.
After she was successful at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, which she wrote at the Mahaicony Secondary School, she had a conversation with her mother about career choices.
Yonette recalled at the time she wanted to pursue a career in nursing, but she was reminded that she has three siblings who were already nurses. She was persuaded to take up teaching.
After she agreed, both mother and daughter went to the Regional Office at Fort Wellington to fill out an application form for a teaching position.
Yonette recalled how elated she was when she received an offer to start teaching at the Number 29 Primary School.
To this day, she remembers
To all her students and even teachers at that school, she was known as “Teacher Yonnie”. That is the name she was called by three generations of learners she had taught over the years.
Yonette married Lester Walters in 1996, and the relationship produced three children: Keyron, Keyona and Keysean.
In her quest to qualify herself in the teaching profession, she enrolled at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), and she successfully completed her trained teachers’ certificate in Home Economics. She completed her work study at the renowned Carnegie School of Home Economics in the city.
Yonette later signed up at the University of Guyana (UG), where she was successful and received a bachelor’s degree in education.
This teacher always tells the story of her graduation day when she took a pain killer to ease a headache she was having.
Soon after she realised she was allergic to pain killers, but it didn’t stop her from going on stage to collect her certificate.
In all the pictures taken that day, her face was swollen, and her eyes were swollen shut.
Her unfazed reaction to her unfortunate circumstances on one of the most important days of her life is a true reflection of the type of person she is.
Berbice where she took up a position at the Hopetown Practical Instruction Centre. She remained there for several years.
After completing stints of teaching at North Ruimveldt Multilateral and St. Joseph’s High School, she returned to
In 2012, she was elevated to the position of headteacher of the Fort Wellington Secondary School, and remained there until she retired.
In addition to her abovementioned qualifications, she also completed the Education
Management Certificate Programme.
Yonette has been a member of the St. Gabriel’s Anglican Church for most of her adult life.
She served as the Secretary and President of the St. Gabriels Mother’s Union and was later appointed as the regional representative for the Mother’s Union in Region Five, a position she still holds.
In her 37 years of experience in the noble profession, she has consistently demonstrated the values that define our culture, integrity, innovation, and a steadfast focus on delivering results.
Her contributions have been instrumental in shaping successes, and her legacy will endure long after she has embarked on her well-deserved retirement adventure.
Retired teacher, Yonette Walters
Minister Rodrigues highlights power of partnerships in driving national development
MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, has once again underscored the importance of partnerships in driving Guyana’s development, highlighting that collaboration and adherence to standards are key
to achieving the nation’s long-term sustainable goals. Her message came as Guyana joins the rest of the world in observing National Quality Week, 2025, an annual celebration dedicated to promoting quality and standards across industries.
The observance coincides with World Standards Day, which will be celebrated on October 14 under the theme, “A Shared Vision for a Better World: Spotlight on SDG 17.” This year’s theme focuses on establishing partnerships, one of the
- message comes as Guyana observes National Quality Week, 2025
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which emphasises the need for collaboration among governments, private sectors, and civil society to achieve sustainable progress.
In a statement released by the Guyana National Bureau
of Standards (GNBS) on Sunday, Minister Rodrigues said the focus on partnerships is particularly important for Guyana as the country continues its rapid transformation across multiple sectors.
“Our strength lies in collaboration, and it is essential that we seize every opportunity that can produce positive outcomes for our country's growth,” she said, adding, “We must also make full use of all available tools, including national and international standards, as common references for achieving quality, ensuring consistency, and securing market access for our products, both at home and abroad.”
The minister reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of Guyana to fostering partnerships that support the nation’s growth and the achievement of the SDGs by 2030.
She said that effective partnerships, whether between businesses, industries, or governments, are vital in addressing challenges and creating opportunities for development. “The collaborations and partnerships we form must continue to grow more food to alleviate hunger, ensure responsible consumption and production, advance industry, innovation, and infrastructure, and provide access to affordable and clean energy, clean water, sanitation, and more,” Minister Rodrigues said.
She also highlighted the importance of National Quality Week as a reminder of the role standards play in national development.
The week’s activities, organised by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), will showcase the services and initiatives that promote quality assurance in products, services, and systems across the country.
According to Minister Rodrigues, the GNBS continues to play a critical role
in guiding local businesses toward implementing and maintaining quality systems that not only improve competitiveness, but also build consumers’ trust.
“The activities of this week place the spotlight on the standards and services offered by the GNBS and bring to the fore a measure of how far we have come as a nation in valuing quality,” she said.
She commended businesses that have successfully aligned their operations with standards, noting that their achievements highlight the benefits of partnership. “As the Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, I want to particularly congratulate those businesses which continue to realise success, because they have implemented and are maintaining the requirements of standards,” the minister stated.
She further encouraged other business owners and entrepreneurs to build partnerships with the GNBS and among themselves to strengthen their operations and expand into new markets. “I urge these and other business owners to partner with the GNBS, even as they partner among themselves to achieve more,” she said.
Minister Rodrigues noted that as Guyana’s economy continues to grow, maintaining a strong culture of quality will be essential to ensuring sustainable progress.
She added that the observance of National Quality Week serves not only as a celebration of achievements, but also as a reminder of the collective responsibility to uphold high standards across every sector.
“As a nation, and a member of the United Nations, achieving the sustainable development goals by 2030 remains a top priority,” she affirmed.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, delivers remarks at a recent engagement (Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce photo)
Capoey’s flourishing fish farm boosting village’s economy
- Toshao Wendy Francis says the aquaculture project is creating job opportunities, brining revenue into the community
By Shaniya Harding
so on. Now we are harvesting properly and managing it as a business for the village,” she noted. This approach has allowed the farm to be operated more efficiently and generate income that directly benefits the community.
Currently, the farm employs two residents full-time and they are paid from the
THE picturesque community of Capoey may become known for more than its blackwater lakes and friendly people. The Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) village, already celebrated for its vibrant tourism sector, is making significant strides in aquaculture.
In a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Toshao Wendy Francis highlighted the success of the village’s Tambaqui Cage Culture Fish Project, which is bringing employment and revenue to residents, as plans for further expansion continue.
The cage-culture project, introduced under the current administration, is part of a nationwide effort to develop aquaculture, particularly in riverine communities. Capoey has emerged as one of the most successful sites for this initiative, with each cage having the ability to produce $8 million annually.
The project which sees fish farmed in submerged cages in the community’s nature lake, has had a tangible impact on Capoey, says Toshao Francis. “Our fish farm, it’s flourishing. I have to say it’s flourishing. We are doing tremendously well with our fish farm,” she said.
The Toshao explained that management of the farm has improved in recent times, with increased community and council involvement in the project. “At first, the fish farm was not doing so well. We were harvesting very little and
cial events, such as heritage celebrations, the village has shared part of its harvest with the wider community.
The project’s success has inspired Toshao Francis to encourage other indigenous leaders to explore similar initiatives. “It’s making money, and it brings jobs to people of the village. It is a good initiative,” she said adding, “I would encourage other indigenous leaders to take part in these types of initiatives. It’s a very good initiative because it’s doing well in our village.”
As Capoey continues to develop its cage culture project, the community is setting an example for other riverine and hinterland villages. With careful management, technical support, and plans for expansion, the village is demonstrating that aquaculture can be both a sustainable and profitable venture, benefitting residents while contributing to Guyana’s growing aquaculture sub-sector.
revenue generated by the project. “We take two persons from the community and pay them from the fish money to maintain the farm, cleaning cages, feeding, everything,” Toshao Francis said. These roles not only provide employment, but also build local expertise in aquaculture management.
The village also plans to take the project further in the future. While the project is currently supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Toshao Francis shared that there are intentions for Capoey to eventually purchase its own fingerlings and feed, allowing the community to become fully self-sufficient. “We have plans to extend the fish project, [and] eventually the village will start buying their own fingerlings and feed,” she said.
The fish farm is not only supporting Capoey residents, but it is also providing benefits to people outside the community.
Toshao Francis pointed out, “It’s doing well for our community and also people out of the community. Right now, we have orders for fish, but we are not harvesting yet,” she said. During spe -
Fish which is harvested from the cage-culture project provide revenue for the village
The Capoey fish farm supports both local demand and neighbouring communities
Healy's century helps...
a few things to iron out but look primed to go deep in this tournament with their skipper returning to this kind of form.
India fall flat after batting fireworks
There was a swagger about the way India went about setting a total against the defending champions.
Mandhana did not so much as set the tone, but crank the volume up to full blast as she and Rawal put on the highest partnership against Australia in Women's World Cup history.
Indeed, for a period, Australia's players looked shell shocked. Their bowlers exercising plans grounded in futility as the ball disappeared to the boundary.
Garth's back-of-the-hand slower ball? Biffed. Sutherland's bouncer? Boshed. Tahlia McGrath's yorker? Bashed.
Even the normally loquacious Healy - niece of former
(From back page)
Australia men's wicketkeeper Ian - lacked her usual chirp behind the stumps.
It was her decision to bowl first citing a desire to "have a look" at the conditions. As she later discovered, the pitch was an absolute belter for batting.
Even after Mandhana and Rawal were dismissed, India's middle-order juggernaut kept up the momentum.
Jemimah Rodrigues's 33 came at a strike rate off 157.14. Richa Ghosh plundered sixes off McGrath and Alana King in her 32.
However, India's last four wickets went down for 10 runs, Sutherland leading the way with a maiden ODI five-wicket haul.
By contrast, Australia batted deep and, despite the best efforts of Deepti Sharma, who bagged 2-50, and Charani, India were never able to really turn the screw at the business end. (BBC Sport)
St John the Baptist...
Theressa’s Primary goal scorers were I-Shent Ouderk and Rodwell Lindy.
Potaro Primary also took a needle win over Redeemer Primary with Laman Telemaque scoring the lone goal
Sophia Primary and St Alouysius Primary drew their contest with St Gabriel’s Primary next defeating Georgetown International Acade -
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER
(Monday, October 13, 2025)
COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)
Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Jack Noriega-9/95 (QPO, 1971) (2) Kapil Dev-9/83 (Ahmedabad, 1983)
Today’s Quiz:
(1) What are the best Test match bowling figures by a WI versus IND to date?
(2) What are the best Test match bowling figures by an IND against the WI to date?
Answers in tomorrow’s issue
ENGLISH RACING TIPS
MUSSELBURG
08:52hrs Triple Force
09:22hrs Homestrait
09:52hrs Parisiac
10:22hrs Alnayef
10:52hrs Rock Melody
11:22hrs Monhammer
(From page 23)
my 4-0. St Gabriel’s Primary Nathan Melville recorded a brace before goals from Zion Hickerson and Jalen Simon completed the victory.
St Pius Primary also edged Clonbrook Primary 3-2.
Smith Memorial Primary also narrowly got past Winfer Gardens Primary 1-0 with a Derick Holder goal.
Tucville Primary took a walk over after St Mary’s Primary were no shows.
Marian Academy ended the day by defeating St Stephen’s Primary 2-0 with goals coming off the boots of Nwora Lincoln and Lester Thomas.
11:55hrs Carlton And Co
12:30hrs Ski Angel
HEREFORD
09:12hrs Ride Like A Girl
09:42hrs Spartan Times
10:12hrs Jimmy Jeroo
10:42hrs Jager Time
11:15hrs Jeudigee
11:45hrs Ballynaheer
12:20hrs Lynsey Larue
KEMPTON
11:10hrs Super Hit
11:40hrs Luzon Heights
12:10hrs Spiritoftheblues
12:40hrs Fort Rock
13:10hrs Welljudged 13:40hrs Cindy Lou Who
14:10hrs Gunship
14:40hrs Blast The Dream
15:10hrs Cloaks Of Gold
IRISH RACING TIPS ROSCOMMON
09:05hrs Galley Point 09:35hrs Syndria 10:05hrs Racing Royalty
10:35hrs Down to Business
11:05hrs Glenroyal ¹1:35hrs Gotta Catchem All 12:05hrs Forlio AMERICAN RACING TIPS
LAKES
1 More Vino
2 Sutton Breeze Race 3 Cloudy Chance Race 4 Artic
WEST INDIES 2nd innings
John Campbell not out 87
Tagenarine Chanderpaul c Gill b Siraj 10
Alick Athanaze b Sundar 7
Shai Hope not out 66
Extras (b2, nb1) 3
TOTAL (two wickets; 49 overs) 173 Yet to bat: Roston Chase, Tevin Imlach, Justin Greaves, Jomel Warrican, Khary Pierre, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales. Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-35.
Bowling: Siraj 6-2-10-1, Jadeja 14-3-52-0, Sundar 13-3-44-1, Yadav 11-0-53-0, Bumrah 4-2-9-0, Jaiswal 1-0-3-0.
of wickets: 1-21, 2-87, 3-106, 4-107, 5-156, 6-163, 7-174, 8-175, 9-221, 10-248.
Bowling: Bumrah 14-4-40-1, Siraj 9-2-161, Jadeja 19-5-46-3, Yadav 26.5-4-82-5, Sundar 13-2-41-0.
Campbell, Hope lead... (From back page)
Information suggests Cummins is going to play some part in the Ashes ‒ McDonald
PAT Cummins will play some part during the Ashes this summer and there's even an unlikely chance that he might don the captain's blazer for the first Test in Perth.
This according to head coach Andrew McDonald who contradicted recent reports that ruled Cummins out for a large chunk of the Test summer. He also then revealed next Friday (October 17) to be the decisive day with regards to ascertaining whether Australia will have to go in for the Ashes opener without their inspirational leader.
"We are definitely running out of time around that. He's added some variables into his training and I'm hesitant to get involved in the medical discussion around it, but what I will say around it is that I think by this time next week we'll be in a position where we're better informed to make a judgement around what that first Test match looks like," said McDonald.
"He's had a positive week so we'll just wait for that information to come in. Anyone that knows the nature of those injuries, you do add the variables in and it's about how you recover from adding the variables into your training. It's not as quick as everyone thinks it is, so we look forward to a positive outcome next Friday."
McDonald also admitted having not delved into what it would look like for Australia if they'd have to go in without Cummins for the entirety of the Ashes. With the belief and confidence that the 32-year-old premier fast bowler will feature at some stage in the series, even if he does miss out at the start.
"The information and the week he's had would suggest he's going to play some part. Could that change with new information, when we had more variables to his training, could that go backwards? There is a possibility of that and for those that have had lumbar stress it's a journey to add those variables in, then recover, and it can ebb and flow a little bit across the rehab. At this stage, not
a risk of Australia
thinking he'll be ruled out of the whole series," he explained.
A lumbar stress issue in the lower back, according to physios, is the kind where the fast bowler is able to go through rehab and gym work.
The clarity in terms of them being Test-match ready though only comes to light once they've started bowling at full tilt, which in some cases could even take 8-10 months. Even if that is very unlikely to be the case with Cummins.
Especially since McDonald and the medical staff are pleased with the progress that their main man's been making when it comes to what the scans on his back are showing.
"(If he isn't fit in time for the first Test)... then I think it'll be a week-by-week as we add in the variables and the biggest variable that we need to add in his bowling. If you looked at a reasonable time frame for Patty to get ready, we feel as though he can do a shortened prep unlike other bowlers that probably need a longer prep. To see if it is advantageous for us to get him up and running in a series and even if he's a little bit underdone and grow throughout the series as well," he said.
McDonald though is very aware of the challenges that might crop up in case Cummins is rushed in or if there's any kind of haste involved when it comes to his recovery and readiness to start bowling again. He also then reiterated how it would work differently with Cummins than most
others, and how the process can be quicker.
"My understanding of the last scan was that it was improved. Then it's about the symptoms and then the resumption of the bowling, once we start to get up to top speed that's when we'll find out more and we can get to that potentially quicker than others with Patty," he said.
"That's probably the fear on a shortened prep - it is not necessarily the injury that he currently has that's taking into account all the other things that could go wrong in the soft tissue space and making sure that he's ready to deal with the demands of Test match cricket."
Cummins's absence will open the door to a number of suitors on the fringes, which will include Michael Neser, Sean Abbott, Brendan Doggett and even the likes of young Fergus O'Neill.
There is also an outside chance of the injured Jhye Richardson, who took a five-wicket haul during the last home Ashes which also happened to be his last Test, coming into the mix later in the series if his body does recover adequately.
Even if McDonald isn't looking at any contingency for Cummins being potentially absent for all five Tests, he did make it rather clear that Steve Smith will come in to take over as captain whenever the incumbent isn't around. As has been the case for a few years now, even going back four years when Smith took over for the second Test in Adelaide.
"That's highly likely that Steve would be the person that we turn to that obviously would have to go through the correct channels and George Bailey (chief selector) would have to tick that one off, but you would say in all likelihood that would be the direction that we head in based upon what we've done previously and Steve's incredibly experienced he's done a good job as recently as Sri Lanka when Pat wasn't on that tour so that's the person that we've turned to I don't see that changing."
(Cricbuzz)
Faroes shock Czechs to maintain World Cup dream
Faroe Islands stunned the Czech Republic to keep their narrow but remarkable World Cup qualification chances alive.
The Nordic islanders, ranked 136th in the world, are third and one point below the second-placed Czechs with one game left in the battle for a play-off spot for the 2026 finals in North America.
It was the Faroes' third victory in a row and they are yet to lose by more than a goal in Group L.
However, they still need a minor miracle next month as they visit leaders Croatia on 14 November, while the Czechs' last game is against pointless Gibraltar three days later.
The Faroes led in Torshavn through Hanus Sorensen's fine strike, with Adam Karabec equalising before Martin Agnarsson took advantage of some shambolic defending to score an 81st-minute winner.
The hosts, who are an autonomous territory of Denmark, had never won
more than two games in any qualification campaign before. They have won four this time.
With a population of just under 55,000 they would be by far the smallest nation to ever qualify for a World Cup. Croatia will all but guarantee their place in the World Cup with a win over Gibraltar later on Sunday. That would take them three points above the Czechs - with a better goal difference of at least 13.
(BBC Sport)
Malteenoes edged GCC in thriller
‒
Joshua Budhram spin destroys top order as Ramkhelawan Anchors
IN a gripping contest played on Sunday, October 12, 2025, Malteenoes Sports Club edged past Georgetown Cricket Club by just one wicket, chasing down 180 in a tense finish at 181 for 9 after 52.4 overs.
Batting first, Georgetown posted 180 all out in 41.2 overs, with Omarian Cummings top scoring with 43 off 51 balls, while Trilok Nanan (25 off 23) and Shahid Ramzan (25 off 24) offered
valuable support. Their effort was halted by a superb spell from Joshua Budhram, who ripped through the lineup with figures of 5 for 39 from 10 overs. Deshawn Ramnauth also impressed, claiming 4 for 49 from 11.2 overs to keep Georgetown in check.
In reply, Malteenoes endured early pressure before Nathaniel Ramkhelawan anchored the innings with a calm and patient 57 from 104 balls, holding the chase together as wickets fell around
him. Kyle Gibson’s 31 off 58 provided vital support in the middle, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking. Despite a late scare from Georgetown’s Shahid Ramzan, who produced a brilliant 3 for 7, Malteenoes held their nerve to reach the target in the final over.
Budhram’s five-wicket burst and Ramkhelawan’s resilient half century were the cornerstones of a memorable one-wicket victory for the Malteenoes side.
There's
captain Pat Cummins missing one or more of the Ashes Tests at home
THE
The Faroe Islands (pictured here before a last-minute defeat in Montenegro in March) are having their best ever qualification campaign by far
Nathaniel Ramkhelawan Joshua Budhram and Deshawn Ramnauth
Imam, Masood, Rizwan and Agha fifties hand Pakistan opening-day honours
…SA's spin trio of Muthusamy, Harmer and Subrayen took 4 for 248 on a Lahore pitch already showing signs of turn
A 161-run second-wicket stand between Imam-ulHaq and Shan Masood, and an undefeated 114run sixth-wicket partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha bookended a strong opening day for Pakistan against South Africa, the World Test Champions.
All four of Imam, Masood, Rizwan and Agha recorded fifties, with Imam falling seven short of what would have been a fourth Test hundred.
Score: Pakistan 313 for 5 (Imam 93, Masood 76, Rizwan 62*, Agha 52*, Muthusamy 2-101) vs South Africa)
On a Lahore surface that showed signs of deterioration as early as the third session of the opening day, first-innings runs are considered crucial, and South Africa will be concerned by how many they conceded.
Though they took three wickets for no run either side of the tea interval as Pakistan went from 199 for 2 to 199 for 5, South Africa could neither contain Pakistan for any length of time nor close things out. They also put down four catches which changed the complexion of the day.
Knowing conditions would be challenging and unfamiliar, South Africa opted for three spinners and two
seamers in their bowling attack but it lacked international experience.
Between them, the spin trio of Senuran Muthusamy, Simon Harmer and Prenelan Subrayen have played just 16 Tests, but they have 422 firstclass wickets, and were made to do the bulk of the work. They combined to bowl 74 overs, and took 4 for 248; enough of their deliveries gripped and turned to suggest batting will become difficult later on.
After choosing to bat, Pakistan were rocked immediately when Kagiso Rabada's third delivery beat Abdullah Shafique's inside edge and hit him on the back pad. Standin captain Aiden Markram reviewed successfully to hand the visitors their first wicket. South Africa had barely finished celebrating when Masood hit Rabada for backto-back boundaries. Wiaan Mulder bowled just two overs before South Africa turned to spin, and Pakistan's plan was clear. Masood hit Subrayen over his head for six to assert himself immediately mam had latched on to anything too full or wide early on, used his wrists well, and played the ball late to become the dominant partner in his stand with Masood.
He reached fifty off 65 balls and blunted the spin threat, especially as Harmer
found turn and bounce, while also surviving a pre-lunch lbw appeal in Rabada's second spell. Markram had reviewed again, but the impact was outside the line. Pakistan went to the break on 107 for one.
Masood's half-century came after lunch when he drove Harmer through mid-on, and though he was untroubled to that point, South Africa started to create chances. Masood was on 61 when Subrayen drew him forward and he inside-edged the ball on to his pad. It popped up for Tony de Zorzi at short leg, who went one-handed to his left and could not hold on. In Subrayen's next over, Imam charged down the track and hit him aerially to mid-off, where Mulder moved to his left first
and then had to readjust to his right but spilled the chance.
Subrayen was eventually rewarded, four overs later, when he beat Masood's inside edge with a ball that didn't turn and had him out lbw.
The Pakistan captain left to huge cheers. None of it was for his 76 though. The home crowd was celebrating the arrival of Babar Azam to the crease. But they were soon stunned into silence when Babar was given out caught behind to Muthusamy, who turned the ball just past his outside edge.
Babar reviewed immediately, and with no spikes on UltraEdge, the decision had to be overturned. Babar went on to inside edge Muthusamy past Kyle Verreynne for his first runs, but then found
his touch with back-to-back boundaries through midwicket. He raced to 21 off his first 22 balls.
But South Africa were able to pull him back and then strike twice to end the middle session on a high. Imam inside-edged Muthusamy to de Zorzi at short leg. Saud Shakeel gave South Africa a bonus wicket when he popped a leading edge back to the bowler and leave Muthusamy on a hat-trick at the break. He didn't complete it, but South Africa picked up a third wicket 14 balls after tea, when Harmer pinned Babar on the pad, Markram reviewed, and ball-tracking showed it would have gone to hit leg stump.
Harmer had a strong appeal for lbw against Rizwan later in the over as the ball ripped and spun in sharply, but the impact could have been outside the line. Rizwan counterattacked well, hit Muthusamy for six over long-on, and Harmer for fours through midwicket and cover. Agha seemed happy to hold his end, and was on 8 off 13 balls when he reverse-swept Harmer and the ball ended up in Verreynne's hands, deflected in off his boots. The umpires checked for a catch, but one angle showed it had bounced off the bat and on to the turf before it made contact with Verreynne.
The chances kept coming as Rizwan, on 26, edged Muthusamy to Markram at slip. But Markram wasn't sure whether he had taken a clean catch, and replays showed the ball died on him and bounced in front. Then, Rizwan was on 28 when he was given out lbw to Subrayen but a review showed it was missing leg stump.
Rizwan kept accumulating as South Africa wound down to the second new ball, and Markram gave himself an over before it arrived. He thought he had Rizwan, on 47, caught at leg slip but the ball had come off the batter's arm.
Rizwan's fifty came off the first delivery with the second new ball, which Rabada shared with Muthusamy. The new ball almost brought a breakthrough when Agha edged Muthusamy, but Verreynne initially going for the chance may have distracted Markarm at slip, who put down a simple chance.
South Africa's day got longer when Rizwan swept Harmer powerfully to short leg, but the ball was hit so hard that it did some damage to de Zorzi's hand as he tried to hold onto the catch. Agha's fifty came just after that, and he took Pakistan to the close with plenty to be pleased about. (ESPN Cricinfo)
Lou Vincent to address conference in Melbourne with ‘powerful message to the next generation’
..."By
owning what I did and being given an opportunity to use my story as a massive educational lesson for the next generation, it's kind of been worth it," Lou Vincent says
FORMER New Zealand
cricketer Lou Vincent has swapped the pitch for the stage, addressing a conference in Melbourne about match-fixing.
Just over ten years ago, Vincent was banned for life for his involvement in attempting to manipulate multiple matches around the world, including in England, South Africa, India and Bangladesh.
Ahead of a Victoria Police symposium on Tuesday that will look at a range of integrity-related issues in sport, Vincent told AAP it's not just international cricket that is susceptible to match-fixing, but any sport that is livestreamed.
"It's not so much just cricket, it's all sports - you've got third grade soccer in New Zealand that nobody knows and you've got ten people watching but because it's livestreamed on internet, it can be bet on," Vincent said. "Anything that's filmed and [is] live on the internet, they find a way to underground betting sites and anything can be bet on so it's not so much just the professional sport, it's the amateur sport.
"That's why we've got to do everything possible to protect corruption in all sports at all levels."
While sport governing
bodies are doing their bit to educate their athletes, Vincent said nothing beats a first-person warning.
"I've got a powerful message to the next generation and the future generation of sports players where they can easily be manipulated or corrupted into this dark underworld, which I've lived first-hand," he said. "I pretty much destroyed my life, destroyed my career, destroyed my future in sport, but this is a small part of giving back, to help educate.
"The biggest influence I can have and we can have in the sports integrity world is purely education and the more young athletes know about it,
the more they'll be aware of the signs and the people to avoid."
Having played 23 Tests - he scored a century against Australia on debut - and more than 100 ODIs, Vincent became involved in spot-fixing back in 2008 when he had lost his New Zealand contract.
Signing up to play in the short-lived Indian Cricket League, he initially rebuffed offers from a bookmaker in a hotel room as a "down payment" and reported it. But the then 28-year-old then decided to take the next opportunity when approached by a teammate, admitting greed as well as wanting a sense of belong-
ing were motivating factors.
"I was a prime target to be dragged in; a brotherhood who will look after you," he said. "The league that we were playing in wasn't sanctioned by the ICC, so how it was sold to me was like, these games we're playing in, it's not real cricket... so you're not doing anything wrong and everybody's doing it."
Vincent said a simple example of how he would spotfix during a T20 match was to score between 10 and 15 runs off 20 balls, and then get out.
With threats to his safety or that of his family, he described it as a "noose around his neck", which only disap-
peared when he retired and came clean.
Two years ago, the global life ban was partially relaxed and Vincent has been able to "participate" at the professional domestic level or below.
Working as a builder in New Zealand, he said he would continue to make amends and share his story. "I've had to start life again and missed out on a career in a sport I love," he said. "In a strange way, by owning what I did and being given an opportunity to use my story as a massive educational lesson for the next generation, it's kind of been worth it."(ESPN Cricinfo)
Shan Masood scored 76, while Imam-ul-Haq fell seven short of a hundred (AFP/Getty Images)
GCBs Queensway Services Super50 Inter-County
Sinclairs help Berbice beat GCB Select X1 by 7 wickets
By Sean Devers
ON a day blessed with glorious sunshine and on a dry pitch at the Lusignan Ground on the East Coast of Demerara, Berbice, led by a 5-for from Junior Sinclair and an unbeaten 74 from West Indies batting all-rounder Kevin Sinclair, beat the GCB Select X1 by seven wickets yesterday.
Scores: Select X1 (139 all out in 37.3 overs, Berbice (140-3 in 29.1) The Select X1 batted first with a strong breeze blowing from the Atlantic Ocean and were quickly 38-5.
Rampersaud Ramnauth (6) tried to flick pacer Clif-
ton Pestano and was taken at mid-off, at 14-1 in the third over.
Nial Smith bowled Brandon Jaikarran (1), leaving the score on 15-2, before Junior Sinclair removed Romeo Deonarain (13) at 27-3.
Junior Sinclair got rid of Akshaya Persaud (5) a run later before Afraz Budhoo (5) was taken by Kevin Sinclair off his unrelated namesake Junior at 38-5.
Kwesi Mickle and Jayden Dowlin shared in a 47-run sixth wicket with sensible batting before Dowlin (14) and Ronaldo Jeffery, who hails from Bartica, both fell to Junior Sinclair to give the first five-wicket haul in the tournament.
Mickel (49) edged Zeynul Ramsammy to slip at 112-8. Pestano struck with his first delivery of a new spell when he trapped Jones LBW, after hitting two sixes in 16. Jones’ demise at 138 brought the last pair together, but Ramsammy removed Nityanand Mathura (15) to finish off the innings.
Kevin Sinclair took 5-25 from 10 consecutive overs. He got support from Pestano and Ramsammy, who had two wickets each.
Joshua Jones, who recently returned from a successful debut season in England, joined Mickle at
89-7. Mickle played some good shots on the slightly rough outfield and reached the boundary four times and cleared it once off a free hit.
T&T footballers stay alive with 3-0 win over Bermuda
T&T’s senior footballers kept their chance of a FIFA World Cup berth alive when they thrashed Bermuda 3-0 in a crucial Group B qualifier on Friday night at the National Stadium, National Sports Centre in North Shore, Hamilton, Bermuda.
With the win, the T&T players honoured national coach Dwight Yorke’s call to deliver, only the day before.
After a goalless tie against Curacao in their first game and a 2-0 loss to Jamaica in Kingston, the T&T team entered the match needing to win all its remaining matches to win the group and assure itself an automatic passage to the World Cup.
After a cagey start, the Bermudans looked the more dangerous team. Captain Nahki Wells pulled away from his marker in the fifth minute, but even when he received a pass from Keziah Martin, Wells’ shot went straight into the comfortable arms of Denzil Smith in the T&T goal.
The chance spurred the home team to increase their efforts, and they got another. This time, Wells, despite his age at 35, showed blinding speed to reach a long searching ball in the 8th minute that was directed to him, but still his shot from inside the T&T penalty area was gobbled up by Smith.
T&T settled slowly and, in almost their first attempt, forged ahead. Spicer, the dangerman on the left side of the Bermudans' penalty area, released to the unmarked Levi Garcia on the right side to
use his speed to get past his marker on the right side. Garcia reached the byline before pulling it back to Dante Sealy to hit the ball into the empty net, as goalkeeper Dale Eve looked on.
With both teams in need of a win, as T&T stood third on the Group B standings and Bermuda in fourth, T&T increased their search for another item when Crystal Palace’s Rio Cardines lifted a ball to Sealy on the right side to take nicely on the chest before letting go to Steffen Yeates, who came for midfielder Kevin Molino in the centre of the park.
But Yeates, with the entire goal in front of him, hit it hard and low, but it didn’t trouble Eve in the Bermuda goal area in the 26th minute.
Four minutes later, Spicer, who despite his impressive skills on the ball had not scored for the red, white, and black of T&T, finally broke the jinx. Defender Martin could not take control of the ball when Eve delivered it from the goal kick, and Spicer intercepted it, using his speed to put him in a one-on-one with Eve. However, the onrushing Eve could not prevent Spicer from pushing the ball past him before he sent it into the empty net for a 2-0 advantage.
After the resumption, T&T wasted little time in moving to 3-0 and strengthening their hold on the match. Sealy, given the responsibility for the free kick on top of the Bermuda penalty area, curled the ball to goal, but Eve’s outstretched arms could only
parry the ball into the path of defender Kobi Henry to head into the first post.
And later, the T&T team was unlucky not to increase the scoreline, as Garcia, the Spartak Moscow attacker, was picked out with a ball on the right side. Confronted by two defenders, Garcia skilfully left his markers for dead with a deft cut back with the right, then he curled the ball onto the far post with goalkeeper Eve totally beaten...
Despite the scoreline, the home team never gave up hope, but their attacks were broken up anytime they entered the T&T defensive third.
T&T settled slowly and, in almost their first attempt, forged ahead. Spicer, the dangerman on the left side of the Bermudans' penalty area, released to the unmarked Levi Garcia on the right side to use his speed to get past his marker on the right side. Garcia reached the byline before pulling it back to Dante Sealy to hit the ball into the empty net, as goalkeeper Dale Eve looked on.
With both teams in need of a win, as T&T stood third on the Group B standings and Bermuda in fourth, T&T increased their search for another item when Crystal Palace’s Rio Cardines lifted a ball to Sealy on the right side to take nicely on the chest before letting go to Steffen Yeates, who came for midfielder Kevin Molino in the centre of the park.
But Yeates, with the entire goal in front of him, hit it hard and low, but it didn’t trouble
Eve in the Bermuda goal area in the 26th minute.
Four minutes later, Spicer, who despite his impressive skills on the ball had not scored for the red, white, and black of T&T, finally broke the jinx. Defender Martin could not take control of the ball when Eve delivered it from the goal kick, and Spicer intercepted it, using his speed to put him in a one-on-one with Eve. However, the onrushing Eve could not prevent Spicer from pushing the ball past him before he sent it into the empty net for a 2-0 advantage.
After the resumption, T&T wasted little time in moving to 3-0 and strengthening their hold on the match. Sealy, given the responsibility for the free kick on top of the Bermuda penalty area, curled the ball to goal, but Eve’s outstretched arms could only parry the ball into the path of defender Kobi Henry to head into the first post.
And later, the T&T team was unlucky not to increase the scoreline, as Garcia, the Spartak Moscow attacker, was picked out with a ball on the right side. Confronted by two defenders, Garcia skilfully left his markers for dead with a deft cut back with the right, then he curled the ball onto the far post with goalkeeper Eve totally beaten...
Despite the scoreline, the home team never gave up hope, but their attacks were broken up anytime they entered the T&T defensive third. (Extracted from Trinidad and Tobago Guardian)
Set 140 to win, Berbice lost Adrian Sukwah (6) at 25-1 before Jones, who bowled impressively, removed Rampertab Rampersaud (9) to leave Berbice on 27-2.
St
Tomanni Caesar (13) and Kevin Sinclair brought up the 50 in the 14th over before off-spinner Mathura removed Caesar 54-3. That was to be the last success for the Select X1 as Ramsammy joined the well-entrenched Sinclair, who struck four fours and three sixes in his 63-ball unbeaten 74 to surpass Matthew Nandu’s 73 against Essequibo in Essequibo on Saturday. Ramsammy finished undefeated on 23 as the pair added 86 in an unfinished fourth-wicket stand. The action will continue tomorrow at Enmore when defending Champions Demerara face off with the Select X1.
John the Baptist storm into quarter-finals of Courts Optical Pee Wee Football Competition
Part of the action in the Courts Pee-Wee football competition
ON Saturday, St John the Baptist booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Courts Optical Pee Wee Football Competition with another impressive victory to top off their group, winning 7-0l over Genesis Primary at the Ministry of Education ground.
St John the Baptist’s Alex Pearson and Aaron Christian led the scoring with a pair of goals with Neymar Edwards, Orlando Deeges and Jarell Schroeder scoring the other goals.
Leonora Primary then went down to newbees Agatash Primary 5-0, Agatash’s Justin Calvan scored a hat-trick for his team with goals in the 3rd, 19th and 25th minutes.
Carlos Paul also delivered for his team with a double coming in the 7th and 23rd minutes.
Stella Maris next eclipsed Batavia Primary 5-0, this time it was Clevon Jacobs and Kenyeatha Junior that did the damage with a triple and a double. Jacobs’s triple came after goals in the 2nd, 9th and 11th minutes while Kenyeatha Junior’s goals came in the 15th and 35th minutes.
West Ruimveldt also beat Charity Primary by the same margin.
In a comfortable victory.
Ann’s Grove Primary lost their contest to St Theressa’s Primary 2-0. St
(Turn to page 20)
Junior Sinclair took the first 5-for in the tournament
Kevin Sinclair made an unbeaten 74 for Berbice
DELHI, India, (CMC )–John Campbell and Shai Hope both scored unbeaten half centuries as the West Indies batsmen finally showed some grit against India in the second Test here on Sunday.
Campbell finished on 87 not out, while Hope ended the day on 66, to save the West Indies from what seemed like certain defeat against the hosts on day three at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
After being dismissed for 248 runs in their first innings and being asked to follow on by 270 runs, the West Indies were staring down the barrel of yet another huge defeat inside three days when they slumped t0 35 for two at tea.
But Campbell and Hope scored the first two half centuries for the visitors in the series, during an unbroken partnership of 138 for the third wicket, which saw them to 173 for two at the close of play.
And while the visitors still need 97 more runs to make India bat again, their effort was a welcomed sight for West Indies fans, who at one point were expecting the worse following another inept batting performance from their side in the first innings and beginning of the second innings. Hope was also at the crease at the start of play, with the West Indies 140 for four and in dire need of a huge partnership to get them
Campbell, Hope lead Windies fightback against India after being asked to follow-on
as close to India’s mammoth first innings total of 518 for five declared.
It was not to be, however, as Hope only added five runs to his overnight total before being bowled for 36 by a superb delivery from Kuldeep Yadav.
And when Yadav also claimed the wicket of the other overnight batter, Tevin Imlach lbw for 21, the West Indies were in real trouble at 163 for six.
It looked as though they would be dismissed inside 200 when Yadav also trapped Justin Greaves lbw and Jomel Warrican lost his middle stump to Mohammed Siraj to leave them 175 for eight.
But Khary Pierre and An-
derson Phillip frustrated India during a stand of 46 that took the West Indies past the lunch interval.
Jasprit Bumrah broke the partnership by bowling Pierre for 23 and Yadav claimed his fifth five wicket haul in Test by dismissing last man Jayden Seales for 13 to wrap up the innings and give India a healthy first innings lead.
Phillip ended unbeaten on 24 off 93 balls.
Yadav starred for India with figures of 5-82, while Ravendra Jadeja took 3-46.
India’s decision to enforce the follow-on seemed like a good one when Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s mistimed pull off Siraj looped into the air for Shubman Gill to take a diving
catch at midwicket with only 17 runs on the board.
And after Alick Athanaze was bowled by an unplayable delivery from Washington Sundar to send the Windies to tea at 35 for two, another early victory for the home side seemed on the cards.
But opener Campbell and Hope defied India’s bowlers with aggressive stroke play, mixed with solid defense.
When Campbell was on 31, he was given out lbw off the bowling of Sundar, but his review showed that the ball touched his glove before striking his pad.
He also survived two other close lbw calls against the same bowler, only due to the umpire’s on field call.
Apart from that, Campbell was fluent, and he brought up the Windies’ first half century of the tour by hitting Yadav for a six and four.
Hope followed not too long after, ending his run of 31 consecutive innings without a Test half century by driving Jadeja to deep point for a single.
The pair then saw off India’s attack in the latter stages to put West Indies in a good position to make their opponents bat again.
Campbell has so far faced 145 deliveries and struck nine fours and two sixes, while Hope has hit eight fours and two sixes in the 103 balls he’s faced.
(Scoreboard on page 20)
Healy's century helps Australia to record chase
ALYSSA Healy's brilliant 142 helped Australia complete a record women's one-day international chase as they beat India by three wickets in the World Cup.
On a featherbed pitch in Visakhapatnam, India posted a commanding 330 from 48.5 overs - the highest total Australia had ever conceded in an ODI.
The platform for India was laid by a 155-run opening stand between Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, who accelerated quickly once they got themselves in.
Mandhana was the chief aggressor, top-scoring with 80 off 66 balls, while a string of cameos from India's middle order continued the assault.
All-rounder Annabel Sutherland swung some of the momentum back Australia's way in the second half of India's innings as she fin-
ished with impressive figures of 5-40.
Lesser teams might have been daunted by the chase, but Australia captain Healy produced a stoic knock to put her side on course for victory.
Healy's innings off 107 balls featured 21 fours and three sixes and was chanceless until she sliced Shree Charani, who claimed 3-41,
to Sneh Rana, grasping a diving catch with her fingernails at point.
With 66 required off 67 deliveries, Ash Gardner, who made 45, steered Australia close before Kim Garth and Ellyse Perry got the World Cup holders within striking distance.
Perry had retired earlier in her innings with cramp but came back to finish the job
and whacked a six off Rana to get Australia over the line with six balls to spare.
Australia's record-breaking ODI chase eclipsed the 302 made by Sri Lanka to beat South Africa at Potchefstroom in April 2024.
This was a chase that required cool heads, and at times Healy appeared to have ice running through her veins.
The 35-year-old masterfully dictated the chase. Knowing when to retreat, seeing off moments of pressure, especially from Charani, and when to put her foot down.
Healy's effectiveness both sides of the wicket, sweeping and cutting to the tune of 118 of her 142 runs, proved to be key in unlocking India's bowling attack.
Her mental fortitude was equally as impressive, given she had kept wicket and captained for nearly 50 overs before heading out to open the batting with Phoebe Litchfield.
Their partnership, worth 85 before the left-handed Litchfield departed for a 39ball 40, was the launchpad for Australia's record chase.
There was a brief acknowledgement and a puff of the cheeks from Healy when she reached three figuresthe value of a century is in the outcome of the match.
Healy averages a shade under 35 in ODIs but has a knack of delivering in big moments.
It was the first time she had made an hundred in the format since her 170 against England in 2022. That match was the World Cup final.
Healy's Australia have
(Turn to page 20)
John Campbell (left) and Shai Hope both scored half centuries for the West Indies
'Fantastic' Alyssa Healy hits century as Australia close in on record run chase
Smriti Mandhana made 80 off 66 (Getty Images)