April 4, 2025: Nicholas Kirton, the captain of the Canadian cricket team, was arrested at the Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados for carrying a significant quantity of a banned substance. According to reports from the Jamaica Gleaner, the 26-year-old cricketer was found with 20 pounds (approximately 9 kg) of cannabis, which is far beyond the permissible limit.
While possession of up to two ounces (about 57 grams) of cannabis is not considered a criminal offense in some regions, carrying it in public is prohibited and can lead to hefty fines. Nicholas Kirton was found with nearly 160 times the legal limit, resulting in his detention by the local authorities.
Who is Nicholas Kirton?
Nicholas Kirton, a left-handed batter, was born in Barbados and initially represented their Under-19 side. Although he was part of the West Indies Under-19 squad, Kirton never featured in an official match for them. His mother’s Canadian heritage allowed him to represent Canada in international cricket. Kirton made his debut for Canada in February 2018 in a List A match against Oman.
In July 2024, he was appointed as the captain of the Canadian national cricket team across all formats. So far, Kirton has played 21 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 28 T20 Internationals (T20Is) for Canada, scoring 514 and 627 runs, respectively, including seven fifties.
Cricket Canada’s Statement
Cricket Canada released an official statement acknowledging the situation and expressing their commitment to transparency. “Cricket Canada has been made aware of the recent allegations and detainment involving National Team player Nicholas Kirton. We are actively monitoring the situation and closely following developments as they unfold. Cricket Canada is committed to ensuring transparency and will provide updates as more details become available.”
Kirton last played for Canada on March 23, 2025, in a T20I match against Namibia, where he scored 37 runs off 26 balls. Canada is set to play in the North America Cup, which is scheduled to start on April 18, 2025, where they will face off against the Bahamas, Bermuda, the USA, and the Cayman Islands. The controversy surrounding Kirton has raised questions ahead of the upcoming tournament.