TIMELESS LEGACY Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce moments ahead of the womens 4x100m relay finals. GLADSTONE TAYLOR/MULTIMEDIA PHOTO EDITOR Now-retired Fraser-Pryce recognised as beacon of hope for future generations DELHI, INDIA (CMC): DESPITE A much better showing with both bat and ball, the West Indies were not able to stop a rampant India from coming away with a dominant seven-wicket victory on the fifth morning of the second Test in Delhi to secure a 2-0 series sweep over the regional side. The hosts needed just 17.2 overs on the final day to chase down their modest target, reaching 124-3, with opener KL Rahul guiding them home with a composed 58 not out. The visitors had some respite after they claimed the wickets of Sai Suhharsan for 39 and captain Shubman Gill for 13, both falling to skipper Roston Chase. The win consolidates India’s position at third in the World Test Championship standings, trailing only Australia and Sri Lanka. The foundation for the comprehensive victory was laid early. A commanding first-innings total of 518-5 declared, built on the back of magnificent centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal 175 and captain Gill 129 not out, proved more than troublesome. India’s bowlers then swiftly bundled the tourists out for 248, enforcing a follow-on that seemed to signal an early finish. However, the West Indies, fresh from a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Australia, finally found some fight. A dogged partnership between John Campbell and Shai Hope, both of whom scored defiant centuries, powered them to a more than respecatble 390 all out in their second innings. Any lingering hope for the tourists was extinguished by a 79-run second-wicket partnership between the assured Rahul and the impressive Sai Sudharsan, who added 39 to his first-innings 87. For the West Indies, it marks a second successive series whitewash. Yet skipper Roston Chase took a measure of satisfaction from his team’s late defiance. “I think this is the kind of fight that I wanted to see from us,” Chase said. “This is a stepping stone, a building block for us to go forward and improve as a Test-playing nation.” The West Indies, currently sixth in the WTC standings, will look to build on that fight when they begin a tour of New Zealand on November 5. JAMAICA RETURNED to the top of the Group B standings in the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers following an emphatic 4-0 victory over Bermuda on Tuesday night at the National Stadium. An own goal from Bermudan defender Dante Leverock opened the scoring for Jamaica in the 24th minute before Bobby Decordova-Reid doubled the lead in the 26th. Shamar Nicholson added Jamaica’s third goal with a close-range finish in the 35th minute before Dujuan ‘Whisper’ Richards sealed the result in the 76th. Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren praised the team for their performance and said it was the perfect response following a defeat to Curaçao. “I think it was a great response from the team and what we wanted was to be back in control of the group,” he said. “We’re pleased with the reaction and pleased with the performance,” he continued. “We changed a few things, brought in the energy, and the players responded.” Leverock handed Jamaica a gift of an opener as his attempted clearance of a ball swung into the box by Kasey Palmer ended up in the back of his own net. Reid doubled Jamaica’s lead just two minutes later, sliding in the box to turn in a ball sent across the face of the goal by Renaldo Cephas. Cephas again proved provider when he used his turn of pace to move past his marker and play in Nicholson, who made no mistake from close range. Bermuda proved that they would not go down without a fight, and Reece Jones earned a corner as his effort from close range was deflected out. But that wsa as close as the vistors would get. Bermuda goalkeeper Dale Eve denied Cephas a goal in the 70th minute from point-blank range as the winger found himself free in the box and sent an effort that looked destined for the back of the net. Second-half substitute Richards added his name to the scoresheet in the 76th minute with a display of individual brilliance. In the other Group B game, Curaçao and Trinidad and Tobago played out a 1-1 draw. Kenji Gorre gave Curaçao the lead in the 19th minute before Tyrese Spicer rescued a point for the twin-island republic. The result means that Jamaica has returned to the top of the group standings with nine points, moving ahead of Curaçao, who now sit second with eight. Trinidad and Tobago trail in third place with five, while Bermuda, still without a win, are rooted to the foot of the standings and have been eliminated from contention for a spot at the 2026 World Cup. The final set of World Cup Qualifiers will be played in the November international window, with Jamaica taking on Trinidad and Tobago in an away fixture before hosting Curaçao at the National Stadium. Karen Madden/Gleaner Writer JAMAICA OLYMPIC Association President Christopher Samuda is among those paying tribute to multi-World Championships and Olympic medallist Shelly-Ann FraserPryce after the 38-year-old confirmed that she will be retiring from the sport of track and field. AHEAD OF June’s National Championships, Fraser-Pryce had disclosed that those Trials would be the final time she will compete inside the National Stadium in Kingston and that the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan would be her last international competition, but stayed clear on any plans to compete on the Diamond League circuit. However, in a statement via her social media pages on Monday night, Fraser-Pryce confirmed she was stepping off the track, having represented Jamaica for more than 18 years. Speaking with The Gleaner, Samuda hailed Fraser-Pryce as a treasure and described her retirement as the end of a golden era on the track for a member of Jamaica’s Olympic household. “But you know a treasure defies seasons and its value and legacy are timeless. Shelly has imprinted lives on the track and life in the sport of athletics, with character and a deep humanity that goes beyond the fame of records, the digital glitz of electronic boards and yes, the fanfare of minted achievements. Waterhouse has given us a reservoir of hope and an oasis from which generations of youth can refresh themselves with humility, dignity, inspiration and an honest smile, that expresses the essence of who we should be and who we, as a people, can become.” President of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association, Garth Gayle, expressed his organisation’s gratitude. “Thank you for every unforgettable moment and for the profound legacy of passion and dedication you are leaving behind. You have not only achieved incredible success but have also inspired countless fans and generations of athletes both here and abroad. As you close this chapter, we wish you immense happiness and success in your next adventure. You will be missed, but never forgotten. It was an incredible era, and we wish you all the best in your retirement.” India complete formalities to sweep West Indies Jamaica regain control of Group B with win over Bermuda SPORTS BRIEFS Boyz back on top OCTOBER 16 - NOVEMBER 13, 2025 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com 27
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