West Indies Under-19 batting star, Jewel Andrew, is amongst three Antiguans signed by the country’s new Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise, the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons.

Andrew, who was the top scorer for the West Indies and the 12th highest at the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup held in South Africa with 207 runs, is one of 12 players signed by the Falcons ahead of this year’s CPL slated to bowl off on August 29.

The right-handed wicketkeeper batsman is joined by West Indies spinning allrounder, Hayden Walsh Jr, and fast bowler Kelvin Pitman, who featured for the now defuncted Jamaica Tallawahs. Andrew scored his 207 runs at an average of 69.00 and had the third highest individual score of the tournament with 130 off 96 deliveries. The Antiguan has also featured for the Leeward Islands Hurricanes in both the regional four day and limited overs competitions.

Falcons confirmed the signing of 12 players for the 2024 season and will have five spots to fill during the CPL draft in July.

The franchise will feature Pakistani internationals Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim and Fakhar Zaman, all of whom are currently featuring in the T20 World Cup which is taking place in the Caribbean and USA.

Their overseas contingent will be rounded out by Australia’s Chris Green and Afghan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai.

Brandon King and Fabian Allen will also be part of the Falcons squad for 2024.

The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons will open their campaign against neighbours the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots on August 29 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium at North Sound. One day later, they face the Guyana Amazon Warriors also at the North Sound venue. Both matches will start at 7pm.

Falcons will then face the Barbados Royals on September 30 at the same venue starting at 10:00 am before taking on the St Lucia Kings on September 3 starting at 7pm also at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.