Homecoming Hero! Cornwall Rejoins Antigua Falcons

The Caribbean Premier League has its first major storyline of 2025, and the draft has yet to arrive. In a strategic reshuffling that could alter the balance of power ahead of the upcoming season, the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons and Barbados Royals have completed a high-profile three-player trade. The Falcons have secured the services of all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall and left-arm pacer Obed McCoy, while star batter Brandon King will head to the Royals in a move that underscores both franchises' ambitions.

King Makes the Switch

Brandon King’s arrival in Barbados marks a significant coup for the Royals. With 1,837 runs in his CPL career, King has long been regarded as one of the league’s most dependable and explosive batters. His breakout came in 2019 when he topped the tournament run charts, and he followed that with another prolific campaign in 2022—one that earned him the Player of the Tournament award and helped steer the Jamaica Tallawahs to a title. Having now traded Caribbean coasts, King brings both form and pedigree to a Royals side eager to re-establish itself as a title contender.

Cornwall Comes Home

For Rahkeem Cornwall, the move is a return to familiar ground. The powerful Antiguan, known as much for his towering sixes as his sharp off-spin, rejoins his home franchise after a three-year stint with the Royals. During that time, he racked up 1,347 runs at a blistering strike rate exceeding 150, while also chipping in with 35 wickets. His unforgettable century at Kensington Oval in 2023 remains one of the most dramatic individual performances in recent CPL memory. Back with the Falcons, Cornwall's dual-threat abilities are expected to play a central role in the franchise's plans.

McCoy Adds Firepower

Joining Cornwall in Antigua is Obed McCoy, who will now don his third CPL jersey after previous spells with the Saint Lucia Kings and the Royals. The left-arm quick has quietly built a reputation as one of the league's most effective strike bowlers, with 56 wickets in 52 games. His most memorable season came in 2022, when he took 15 scalps for the Royals. McCoy’s versatility and knack for breakthroughs in pressure sit

Deal Done Before Draft

Per CPL rules, teams are permitted to engage in player transfers ahead of the official draft, which is slated for next month. This three-player exchange satisfies that regulation and sets a clear tone of intent from both sides. The Falcons have opted for raw power and bowling depth; the Royals have locked in a top-order cornerstone. As franchises continue to finalize their rosters, this deal could prove to be one of the defining moments of the 2025 season before a single ball is bowled.