Saint Lucian teenager Theo Edward earns franchise contract as Grenadian twins Kirt and Kirtsen Murray rejoin the squad following strong domestic performances
Beausejour, Saint Lucia — October 16, 2026 — The Windward Islands Volcanoes have announced their 15-member contracted squad for the 2027 First Class season, marking the beginning of preparations at the franchise’s new home, the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia.
The announcement follows the franchise’s official relocation to Saint Lucia on October 1, under a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Youth Development and Sports and the Windward Islands Cricket Board. Previously based at Arnos Vale in St Vincent and the Grenadines, and before that in Dominica and Grenada, the Volcanoes will now call the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground home.
The squad will train daily at the venue under the franchise’s high-performance staff. The move also gives Saint Lucian players such as Keon Gaston, McKenny Clarke and Shadrack Descarte the chance to prepare for regional cricket on home soil. It creates a clearer pathway for young players and local coaches to work alongside the region’s top professionals.
The franchise will begin its new chapter in Saint Lucia under a new head coach, whose appointment will be announced in due course, with operations set to begin on November 1. In the meantime, the players will be in Saint Lucia undergoing physical assessments, fitness testing and conditioning as they lay the foundation for the demands of the upcoming season.
THE 2027 SEASON
The squad’s primary focus is the 2027 West Indies Championship. Cricket West Indies has confirmed the tournament will retain the 12-match bilateral-series format introduced in 2026, with three concurrent three-match series played across the region under the traditional Championship points system. With the four-day Championship now the centrepiece of the regional calendar, every series carries significant weight for both team standings and individual West Indies selection.
EDWARD EARNS CONTRACT AS MURRAY TWINS RETAIN PLACES
The squad includes 18-year-old Saint Lucian opener Theo Edward, who earns his place after a standout 2026.
The Windward Islands Under-19 captain finished as the second-highest run-scorer in the CWI Rising Stars Under-19 Championship with 217 runs. He then announced himself at senior level in the Windward Islands 3-Day Championship in July. Edward struck a match-saving 118 off 126 balls against Dominica in Grenada, sharing a 152-run opening partnership and producing the only century of the series.
Theo Edward following his exceoptional century in this year’s Windwards Men’s 3-Day Championship (Photo: Wendell Glo Photography)
Edward first made headlines at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground as a 15-year-old, hitting back-to-back centuries there in the Windwards Under-15 tournament. He now returns to the venue as a professional.
Grenadian twin brothers Kirt and Kirtsen Murray, both part of the franchise earlier this year, retain their places following encouraging performances for Grenada in the recently concluded Windward Islands Senior Men’s Championship. The brothers made valuable contributions with both bat and ball, frequently playing important roles in Grenada’s efforts throughout the competition.
Twins, Kirt and Kirtsen Murray, celebrate a wicket in this year’s Windwards Men’s Super50 Championship (Photo: Luke Wilson)
2027 CONTRACTED SQUAD — WINDWARD ISLANDS VOLCANOES
- Kenneth Dember
- Sunil Ambris
- Ryan John
- Kirt Murray
- Kirtsen Murray
- Teddy Bishop
- Darron Nedd
- Alick Athanaze
- Stephan Pascal
- Jervin Benjamin
- Gilon Tyson
- Shadrack Descarte
- Theo Edward
- Keon Gaston
- McKenny Clarke
A BLEND OF EXPERIENCE AND YOUTH
The squad is anchored by proven performers. Former West Indies Test and ODI batter Sunil Ambris brings more than 3,200 first-class runs for the Windwards. He is joined by West Indies international Alick Athanaze, experienced spinner Kenneth Dember and former West Indies Academy captain Teddy Bishop.
Alongside them sits an exciting group of young players. Saint Lucian fast bowler McKenny Clarke, a 2022 ICC Under-19 World Cup representative and West Indies Academy graduate, returns to the franchise ranks along with fellow Saint Lucian Keon Gaston and Dominca’s 21-year-old gem, Stephan Pascal, all members of the Volcanoes’ 2025 Super50 squad.
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