The Barbados Royals have a brand new look for this year’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL), mixing youth with experience.
Shaqkere Parris, Kofi James, Nyeem Young, Rivaldo Clarke, Zishan Motara, and Johann Layne were among young players picked during Wednesday’s 2025 CPL draft.
Among the new additions are West Indies batsman Brandon King and explosive left-hander Sherfane Rutherford.
Rovman Powell, who led the team for the last two CPL seasons, is upbeat about the franchise’s potential.
“It’s exciting times,” he said. “I think Brandon King and Sherfane Rutherford will fit nicely in the Royals mix.”
“It’s unfortunate that guys like Jason Holder, who has served the franchise for so long, is gone, but I want to extend my congratulations to him on the services that he’s given to the Royals franchise.”
Experienced allrounder Holder, who had been with his home franchise since the inaugural CPL season in 2013, joins St Kitts & Nevis Patriots for the August 14 to September 21 season.
The Royals, who finished third last season, are hoping the injection of fresh talent will propel them even further this year.
“After the season that we had last year…we’ve decided that maybe we need to find a few new players to add to our roster to see how best we can improve it,” Powell said.
One of the standout new recruits is James, a consistent performer and leading run-scorer in the recently concluded inaugural West Indies Breakout League.
“He looks like somebody who is ready. He looks like somebody once given the opportunity is fearless, and that is something we like about him,” Powell noted.
He also praised the addition of young fast bowler Layne, noting that the Royals were actively seeking emerging quicks in this year’s draft.
“We go into the draft looking to get young fast bowlers, breakout fast bowlers, and fortunately for us we got him and Simmonds is back with us also,” Powell said.
The full Barbados Royals squad is: Rovman Powell, Brandon King, Sherfane Rutherford, Quinton de Kock, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Azmatullah Omarzai, Jomel Warrican, Kadeem Alleyne, Shaqkere Parris, Kofi James, Nyeem Young, Rivaldo Clarke, Zishan Motara, Johann Layne, Ramon Simmonds.
The other 2025 CPL squads are:
St Kitts & Nevis Patriots: Kyle Mayers, Jason Holder (traded), Rilee Rossouw, Evin Lewis, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Corbin Bosch, Waqar Salamkheil, Andre Fletcher, Alick Athanaze (traded), Mohammad Nawaz, Dominic Drakes, Mikyle Louis, Ashmead Nedd, Jeremiah Louis, Jyd Goolie, Navin Bidaisee, Leniko Boucher
Antigua & Barbuda Falcons: Imad Wasim, Shakib Al Hasan, Fabian Allen, Naveen-ul-Haq, Obed McCoy, Justin Greaves, Bevon Jacobs, Jayden Seales, AM Ghazanfar, Rahkeem Cornwall (traded), Odean Smith, Jewel Andrew, Shamar Springer, Amir Jangoo, Karima Gore, Kevin Wickham, Joshua James
Trinbago Knight Riders: Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Alex Hales, Akeal Hosein, Mohammad Amir, Colin Munro, Usman Tariq, Ali Khan, Darren Bravo, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Terrance Hinds, McKenny Clarke, Joshua Da Silva, Nathan Edward
Guyana Amazon Warriors: Imran Tahir, Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, Shai Hope, Glenn Phillips, Gudakesh Motie, Moeen Ali, Shamar Joseph, Keemo Paul, Dwaine Pretorius, Shamarh Brooks, Kemol Savory, Hassan Khan, Jediah Blades, Kevlon Anderson, Quentin Sampson, Riyad Latif
Saint Lucia Kings: Tim David, Alzarri Joseph, Johnson Charles, Tim Seifert, Roston Chase, Tabraiz Shamsi, David Wiese, Delano Potgieter, Matthew Forde, Aaron Jones, Khary Pierre, Javelle Glen, Micah McKenzie, Shadrack Descarte, Johann Jeremiah, Keon Gaston, Ackeem Auguste (BT)
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