BY KRISHNA MISTRY

Dwayne Bravo announces his retirement from cricket after a twenty-one-year-long career as a professional cricket player. The forty-one-year-old recently announced on Instagram that he is departing from cricket.

Bravo shares his difficult decision. “Twenty-one years as a professional cricketer – it’s been an incredible journey, filled with many highs and a few lows. Most importantly, I was able to live my dream, because I gave at every step. As much as I’d love to continue this relationship, it’s time to face reality. My mind wants to keep going, but my body can no longer endure: the pain, the breakdowns, and the strain. I can’t put myself in a position where I might let down: my teammates, my fans, or the teams I represent.”

“So, with a heavy heart, I officially announce my retirement from the sport. Today, the Champion bids farewell. To my fans, I want to say a massive THANK YOU for your unwavering love and support throughout the years. To all my fans across the Caribbean, worldwide, and especially in Trinidad & Tobago – thank you for standing by me, especially in these recent weeks.”

I am sure you are wondering who Dwayne Bravo is and why he is so important in cricket. Let’s take a dive into Bravo’s career and his accomplishments. Bravo made his first-class debut for Trinidad and Tobago against Barbados in 2002 when he was just nineteen years old.

In 2003-2004, he made his international debut when England was touring West Indies. Unfortunately, he was not able to bat but was able to take 2-31 when bowling.

Throughout his career, Bravo has faced many injuries, a few being in the early parts of his career. He injured himself in early 2006 during the West Indies tour of New Zealand, where he strained his left side at the start of the tour and was unable to bowl. Bravo still preceded to play as a specialist batsman. His decision showed how far he had come as a cricket player in the previous two years, and demonstrated how much of a crucial player he had become to the West Indies team.

Bravo proves his resilience as he comes back from major losses. After a disappointing series in India. Bravo returned to the top in the ICC Champions 2006, when he took seven wickets at an average of 27.57 and scored one-hundred and sixty-four runs with an average of forty-one.

Bravo has played a total of seven World Cups in his career, from 2007-2019. Not only has he played on the West Indies team, but also has played on IPL teams such as Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and the Gujarat Lions.

On January 31^st, 2015, Bravo announced his retirement from Test cricket. A few years later, in October of 2018, he publicized his retirement from international cricket as a whole but mentioned that he would continue playing franchise cricket.

Then in November of 2021, Bravo retired from international cricket and played his last T20I match against Australia at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium. He continued to play league cricket across the globe and finally announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on the 27^th of September 2024.

Bravo ended his career with a total of six hundred and thirty-one wickets from five hundred and eight-two T20 appearances, second only to fellow West Indian, Kieron Pollard. Bravo has retired as one of the most decorated players in CPL history.

With five titles in his name, including three with the Trinbaga Knight Riders. He led Trinbaga Knight Riders to back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2017, before guiding the St.Kitts and Nevis Patriots to their maiden title back in 2021.

As Bravo steps away from the sport, his absence will be deeply felt. However, his legacy will undoubtedly live on, not only through his remarkable achievements but also through his passion for cricket, which inspired countless young players to follow in his footsteps.

BY KRISHNA MISTRY

The NFL season has started, and you know what that means: thrilling games, intense rivalries, fantasy football drama, and endless debates about which team has what it takes to make a run for the Super Bowl! After a long offseason of trades, draft picks, and preparation, the teams are ready to battle it out at the playoffs, and ultimately at the Super Bowl.

For those unfamiliar, the NFL stands for the National Football League, the premier professional American football league. It consists of 32 teams, all of which kicked off their season on September 5^th, 2024, with the season running until February 9^th, 2025. With so many teams vying for the ultimate prize, let’s break down what to expect during this action-packed season.

The offseason was full of dramatic roster changes, with many teams making trades, or free agent signing to improve their chances in the upcoming season. The biggest highlight was Aaron Rodgers leaving the Green Bay Packers and joining the New York Jets. Several other star players switched teams, and these moves will definitely shape the course of this season.

Keep an eye on players adjusting to their new teams, such as wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins with the Tennessee Titans and running back Dalvin Cook now teaming up with the New York Jets.

As much as fans love high-scoring games, the defense still wins championships, and many teams have built strong units to stop the most lethal offences. Teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Buffalo Bills all possess top-tier defenses that could be a factor in their playoff season. Keep an eye out for game-changing plays from defensive units. Sacks, turnovers, and defensive touchdowns could determine which teams rise to the top this year.

Several players will be making their return to the field after their shortened 2023 season due to injuries. Players like Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens quarterback, ready to lead his team into the playoffs. Additionally, with the return of Breece Hall to the Jets and Javonte Williams to the Broncos Bolsters, both young backs are coming off significant injuries, and their recovery could be a game-changer for their respective teams.

As always, the competition for the playoffs is fierce. The AFC (American Football Conference) is stacked with powerhouses like the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, and Buffalo Bills, all led by elite quarterbacks.

In the NFC (National Football Conference), the Philadelphia Eagles enter as favorites to win the conference again, but teams like the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, and Detroit Lions are all eager to challenge their reign. As the season progresses, every win counts and teams will fight for those crucial spots, knowing that a trip to Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVIII is the ultimate goal.

No NFL season is complete without fantasy football enthusiasts tracking every yard, touchdown, and reception. With so much unpredictability in trades, injuries, and emerging stars, this season promises plenty of fantasy surprises.

Fans will be glued to their screens, tracking every stat, waiver wire pickup, and injury report to gain an edge in their leagues, making every Sunday all the more intense.

With blockbuster trades, the rise of young stars, and fierce competition across divisions, every game will matter as teams chase the ultimate prize—Super Bowl glory. So get your jerseys ready, your fantasy lineups set, and clear your schedule for those must-watch games.

The NFL season is back, and it’s sure to be filled with incredible moments, jaw-dropping plays, and unexpected surprises. Whether you’re cheering from the stands, or from your couch, this season will deliver the passion and excitement we’ve all been waiting for. So get ready for the highs, the lows, and everything in between. The road to the Super Bowl has begun, and it’s going to be an unforgettable ride.

September 10, 2024, Brampton, ON – No Frills® and Maxi MD , Canada’s popular hard discount grocery retailers, are thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with Cricket Canada as its
Official Grocery Partner.

“As Canada’s fastest-growing sport, cricket has captured the hearts of many and brings communities together through the power of teamwork, passion and a shared love for the game,”
said Melanie Singh, President of Hard Discount, Loblaw Companies. “We look forward to working closely with Cricket Canada to bring customers and fans closer to the sport they love
and ensuring our contributions make a meaningful and lasting impact.”

This partnership establishes No Frills® as a key sponsor for select international matches organized by Cricket Canada on Canadian soil. The inaugural event under this new partnership
will be the No Frills® T20 Cup, an international tri-nation T20 cricket series featuring Canada, Nepal, and Oman. Set to take place later this month at the Maple Leaf Cricket Ground in King
City, Ontario; this series promises to deliver thrilling cricket action to fans across Canada and further elevate the sport's profile in North America.

Through this partnership, No Frills® and Maxi MD will support and invest in the growth of cricket in Canada. This includes a range of experiential activations in-store and at Cricket Canada events, as well as National Team matches.

Amjad Bajwa, President of Cricket Canada, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership:  “Cricket Canada is thrilled to partner with iconic Canadian grocery brands that are so
entrenched in the daily life of so many Canadians. No Frills® and Maxi MD share our commitment to community and accessibility. This exciting new partnership represents a significant step in our mission to not only enhance our National Teams and programs but also to grow the sport and help make cricket more accessible to Canadians from all walks of life.”

For more information on the No Frills® T20 Cup, including match schedules, visit Cricket Canada  official digital channels or buy tickets directly here.https://www.eventcreate.com/e/cricketcanadatickets