West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder has announced his departure from the Barbados Royals after 13 years, joining the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots for the 2025 Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The Patriots have secured Holder’s services by trading middle-order batsman Sherfane Rutherford and another middle-order player, Alick Athanaze, to the Royals.
Holder has been a key figure for the Royals since the inaugural CPL season in 2013, leading them to two titles in 2014 and 2019. Over 104 matches, he has taken 97 wickets at an economy rate of 7.45 and scored 1,169 runs at a strike rate of 129.60. His departure marks a significant change for the Royals, who will now rely on Rutherford and Athanaze to fill the void.
Rutherford, who has represented the Patriots in previous seasons, withdrew from the 2024 CPL midway through the tournament for personal reasons. He has since returned to the Patriots, bringing his experience and aggressive batting style back to the team.
Athanaze, a 26-year-old left-handed batsman, has played two CPL seasons with the Royals, accumulating 344 runs in 19 matches at a strike rate of 106.63, including one half-century. His addition to the Patriots strengthens their middle-order batting lineup.
The Patriots had a challenging 2024 season, finishing last with only one win from ten matches. The team will look to improve its performance in the upcoming season with the inclusion of Holder, Rutherford, and Athanaze.
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The 2025 CPL is scheduled to begin on August 14, with the final match on September 21. The tournament will feature six teams: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. The Patriots will open their campaign against the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons.
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