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Post by vb on Apr 14, 2019 1:12:04 GMT
Pollard not giving up on West Indies World Cup hopes
By Staff Reporter - April 11, 2019guyanachronicle.com/2019/04/11/pollard-not-giving-up-on-west-indies-world-cup-hopesMUMBAI, India (Reuters) – Kieron Pollard last turned out for West Indies in a one-day international in 2016, but the burly all-rounder has not given up hope of making the squad for this year’s World Cup. Contractual disputes between the players and Cricket West Indies (CWI) have weakened the team for several years now with the frosty relations famously culminating in the 2014 tour of India being called off midway the series. There have been signs of a thaw recently however, with a new leadership team in place at the board and former captain Chris Gayle returning to the ODI side for the recent series against England is a big boost ahead of the World Cup. Pollard, like Gayle, famed for his six-hitting prowess, returned to the West Indies fold after a year out to join the Twenty20 team for the three-match series in India last year. “I am a cricketer, I am 31 years of age and I have lot of cricket left in me,” Pollard told reporters after smashing 83 off 31 balls against Kings XI Punjab to lead the Mumbai Indians to a thrilling last-ball win on Wednesday. “Every day I get the opportunity to play, I want to do my best. There has been a lot of turmoil in West Indies cricket over the last couple of years. But we have seen in the last couple of weeks there’s a change. “Pollard was one of the guys blacklisted. The most I can do every time I step on the cricket field is try to put runs on the board. There are people there who have the job to select and whatever and we’ll see how that goes. “As I said, I’m 31, Chris Gayle is still playing, he’s 39, and he’s still whacking it all around.” Leading Mumbai in the absence of injured regular captain Rohit Sharma, Pollard helped his side to an unlikely win, chasing Punjab’s 197-4, which was built on an unbeaten 100 from KL Rahul and a typically punishing 63 from Gayle. Pollard belted 10 sixes and three fours in his knock for Mumbai’s fourth win in six matches this season, after they needed 104 off the last eight overs. West Indies have proved in this year’s IPL that they have no shortage of short-form match-winners at their disposal in the likes of Pollard, Gayle, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell. The twice world champions could therefore be a tough prospect for any opponent at the May 30-July 14 World Cup in England and Wales. “We know what we can do and I think Chris batted superbly,” Pollard said. “A fellow West Indian is (Andre) Russell … he’s smacking the ball and it’s great to see the way he’s hitting the ball and (Sunil) Narine. “These guys are having a good tournament and again it’s just about enjoying cricket, when your mind is free, you just go out and enjoy cricket. “You don’t think about much, because there are a lot of opinions, there are a lot of things, but it’s people close to you and what they think matters.”
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vb
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Post by vb on Apr 18, 2019 4:28:00 GMT
Retired Bravo among senior players up for recall
www.stabroeknews.com/2019/sports/04/14/retired-bravo-among-senior-players-up-for-recall/
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Cricket West Indies’ new selection panel says it has reached out to several previously marginalised senior players, including retired all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, and is hoping to have them available for future selection. This comes as CWI looks to revamp is selection policy, with the aim of keeping the process free of outside interference and ultimately selecting the strongest squads possible for international assignments. Speaking at a media conference here this week, newly-appointed interim chairman of selectors, Robert Haynes, said contact had already been made with the likes of Bravo and Pollard, with the players indicating their desire to represent the Caribbean side. “Between the coach (Floyd Reifer) and I, we’ve been talking to a lot of players and for sure. We’ve been in contact with these players and we want them to understand that once they’re available we’ll be thinking about them,” Haynes said. “And they all agree they want to play for West Indies and that to me is very important, and it’s also important to the fans around the Caribbean that when you have your top players involved in international cricket and not representing the West Indies, and these guys are hungry for victory. “Honestly, I believe it’s a good move in terms of the policy because I must admit the fact that I would not have been here if I did not agree with the policy in terms of going forward, and it’s really something I’m looking forward to, working with Jimmy and the other stakeholders, and the coach and the captain.” He added: “For me it’s a tremendous feeling and it’s something I’ve been looking forward to for a number of years – to get all of our players involved in West Indies cricket.” Last year, Bravo retired from all forms of cricket following his participation for Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in the Regional Super50, saying it was important to “leave the international arena for the next generation of players”. The 35-year-old played 40 Tests, 164 One-Day Internationals and 66 T20 Internationals, but had not turned out for the Windies since the ill-fated T20 series against Pakistan in United Arab Emirates in 2016. Kieron Pollard, meanwhile, last represented West Indies on the T20 tour of India last October. Like Bravo, his name has been associated with selection for next month’s 50-overs World Cup in England but he has not played an ODI in three years. Another Trinidadian, off-spinner Sunil Narine, has also remained on the sidelines of recent, last seen in West Indies colours two years ago. CWI president Ricky Skerritt said many of these players were still committed to West Indies duty and a system now needed to developed which could see them returning to international cricket. “This has been a very volatile issue and our policy has been very clear,” said Skerritt, who assumed the presidency last month after toppling three-term incumbent Dave Cameron. “There’s a myth that our elite players don’t want to play for the West Indies. Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve engaged several of them and prior to the election, I personally engaged several of them and the desire and hunger to play for their West Indian colours is as strong as ever. “What we have to do is to make sure we put systems in place that can respect the players and help the players to respect their responsibility when they are actually involved in West Indies cricket, and do it in a way that is clearly communicated and that there’s mutual respect and understanding. “I have no doubt that in the hearts and in the minds of all of these players, the performance of the West Indies team and being involved in a successful West Indies team setup is important to them.” The Courtney Browne-led selection panel was this week sacked and replaced by Haynes, Reifer and director of cricket Jimmy Adams. selectors. And Skerritt said going forward, selection would be based purely on a cricketing criteria and not insularity. “Obviously we have to get some of the types of interference that has prevailed in the past out of the way of cricket,” he noted. “We said cricket first and cricket is best handled by people who understand cricket, who have played cricket, who love cricket and who focus on cricket and not on insular needs.”
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vb
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Post by vb on Apr 20, 2019 13:10:32 GMT
Bravo: C’bean side focussed ahead of World Cup www.guardian.co.tt/sports/bravo-cbean-side-focussed-ahead-of-world-cup-6.2.827735.50b7f1b4adBRIDGETOWN—Marquee batsman Darren Bravo said Wednesday West Indies would not be overawed by their opposition at the upcoming ICC World Cup in England but would be focussing on executing their unique brand of cricket. The two-time World Cup champions are not among the favourites for the May 30 to July 14 tournament largely due to their lowly number nine ranking, with hosts and world number England the hot favourites. “To be honest, most other teams are quality teams but having said that, when we played against England no one gives us a chance, so I think that once we concentrate on what we have to do as a team, I think that is the most important thing,” the left-hander said during the Windies training camp at 3W’s Oval. “We are not going to focus very much on the opposition. We have certain plans and certain roles we want to execute and I believe that the results will take care of itself. As I said before, no one gave us a chance against England and we went out there and proved that we can beat the best team in the world so we just have to go out there and continue believing in ourselves as much as possible.” Bravo was referring to the recent five-match series home series against England which the hosts drew 2-2, with one match rained off. Written off before the start, West Indies played outstandingly after losing the opening match by 26 runs at Kensington Oval, rebounding to win the second match of the doubleheader by 26 runs. Rain forced the abandonment of the third ODI in Grenada before England clinched the fourth contest at the same venue, despite West Indies’ record 389 in pursuit of 419. West Indies crushed England by seven wickets in the final match in St Lucia, with Chris Gayle slamming an astonishing 77 off 27 balls to end the series with 424 runs. “I think it was a fantastic series for us as a team led brilliantly by Jason and Chris Gayle,” Bravo said. “I think Chris set the tone at the top of the order in the ODIs that gave the motivation to go out there and perform against the best team in the world. It was a very good series and I am happy that it was very competitive and it should give us confidence moving forward.” Bravo is part of the Windies 14-man squad preparing for the tour of Ireland which runs from May 3-17 in Dublin. They will clash with the hosts and Bangladesh in the triangular series. The camp is being overseen by new interim head coach Floyd Reifer who was appointed last week, and the experienced Bravo said he was making the most of the preparation, especially with former Test batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan playing a key role with the batting group. “The coach outlines what he wants from us and we try to come up with the brand of cricket we want to play,” said the 30-year-old Bravo, who averages 32 from 102 One-Day Internationals. “Moving forward the guys have been working on their technical areas as much as possible. Now we have Sarwan who came in for a couple of days to help us with our batting. He has been working tremendously well with us. I had a couple sessions, so far so good. “Hopefully he will be with us moving forward to Ireland because I believe with a young batting team like this, someone of Sarwan ‘s stature will mean a lot to us as a batting unit. We will see how it goes but so far the camp has been going well. “It has been a lot of hard work, fitness-wise and otherwise and we are enjoying it.” (CMC)
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vb
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Post by vb on Apr 24, 2019 19:48:57 GMT
Andre Russell picked in West Indies' World Cup squad
West Indies news Share www.icc-cricket.com/news/1194397All-rounder Andre Russell has returned to the West Indies ODI squad for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and Wales. Russell last played ODI cricket in July 2018. He was recalled for his side's last two ODIs against England in February, but injury ruled him out of the series. The 30-year old is currently engaged in the 2019 Indian Premier League, where he has lit up the tournament with the bat, averaging 65.33 with a strike-rate of 217.77. Apart from Russell, the fast-bowling duo of Sheldon Cottrell and Shannon Gabriel also received call-ups, the latter having missed West Indies' last ODI series, against England, due to a ban, while Kemar Roach and Oshane Thomas make up the rest of the pace attack. Nicholas Pooran looks set to take the spot behind the stumps, with Shai Hope covering as a back-up wicket-keeper. ICC ✔ @icc "He came to me and said, 'Russ, you're better than that. You can use bigger bats, you're strong'."@russell12a has a fellow Jamaican to thank for his splendid form this season 🌴⬇️https://cards.twitter.com/cards/2xpgqs/78dbk … 3,808 6:30 AM - Apr 20, 2019 Twitter Ads info and privacy 'Chris Gayle changed my life in terms of power hitting' – Russell www.icc-cricket.com261 people are talking about this Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo failed to make the cut, with Fabian Allen and Ashley Nurse set to take up spinning responsibilities. Fast bowlers Keemo Paul and Alzarri Joseph also missed out, and they will remain in India to play the rest of their IPL campaigns. Seasoned opener Chris Gayle could be the key man once again at the top of the order. Gayle, 39, has amassed 289 ODI caps, with 51 half-centuries and 25 centuries to his name, at an average of 38.16. He was in stunning form during the series against England, averaging 106 across the five games after making his return to the international setup. Shimron Hetmyer and Hope will hold plenty of the run-scoring responsibility too, while 30-year old Darren Bravo is an experienced head that could be a good foil for the exciting young batters in the side. Left-handed batsman Evin Lewis is also in the squad, and will provide competition for an opening berth alongside Gayle. West Indies drew with No.1 ranked ODI side England in the series earlier this year West Indies drew with No.1 ranked ODI side England in the series earlier this year The all-rounder department is well-stocked, as captain Jason Holder, who is ranked joint-sixth in the MRF Tyres ICC ODI All-Rounder Rankings, will be accompanied by Carlos Brathwaite in the middle of the order. Squad: Jason Holder (c), Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Ashley Nurse, Fabian Allen, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope (wk), Oshane Thomas, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Evin Lewis.
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vb
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Post by vb on Apr 27, 2019 15:56:34 GMT
'Bowling will win it for us' – West Indies coach Reifer confident for World Cup www.icc-cricket.com/news/1199582When West Indies last won the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 1979, they did it with a 92-run victory over hosts England in the tournament final at Lord's. While Viv Richards was adjudged Player of the Match for his masterful 138*, there were a few unsung heroes for the champions as well. The game saw 14 single-digit scores – including nine ducks – with seven of them (five ducks) on the England scoresheet. The revered Windies bowling attack ripped through the hosts' middle order, propelling their side to a second straight World Cup triumph. Joel Garner, the right-arm pacer, claimed five wickets. While the seam-friendly pitches in England have changed over the years and turned conducive to batting, Floyd Reifer, the West Indies head coach, believes that it will still be the bowlers who take his side to victory at the 2019 World Cup. "Looking at the pitches in England in the county circuit, they are very high-scoring," he said on Friday, 26 April. View image on Twitter View image on Twitter Cricket World Cup ✔ @cricketworldcup BREAKING: @windiescricket name their #CWC19 squad! 15.1K 12:37 PM - Apr 24, 2019 2,035 people are talking about this Twitter Ads info and privacy "But I still think that the team that bowls and fields the best will win the World Cup. The batters are expected to score runs, but I think bowling is going to win it for us." Reifer also added that in the training camp ahead of the Ireland tri-series, West Indies have tried to add to their bowling arsenal. "We did a lot of specifics. We worked on bowling plans, we did a lot of stuff on death bowling. All in all, the energy levels are very high," he said. "It is a really good team. There is a blend of experience and youth. At the World Cup, we have the X factor. The camaraderie is there." 0:00 / 2:01 Video 02:02 Chris Gayle smashes 16 sixes against Zimbabwe! Chris Gayle smashes 16 sixes against Zimbabwe! Two batsmen expected to go big for the side are veterans Chris Gayle and Andre Russell. Both players have been in splendid form recently in the Indian Premier League. Russell, especially, is coming off an exceptional stint in the tournament, where he smashed 406 runs at 58 with an outrageous strike rate of 209.27. "Gayle and Russell, they're hardened professionals. They are going to blend right into the team and are getting ready to win the World Cup," said Reifer. Fabien Allen, one of two spin bowlers in the Windies squad, believes the inclusion of the duo will enable younger players like himself to learn and grow. "Those guys are tough players. 'Universe Boss' (Gayle) is always motivating me," he said. "They are good players, you just have to stick around and learn as much as you can with them."
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Post by vb on Apr 27, 2019 16:03:24 GMT
ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Will West Indies team prove to be the dark horse of the tournament? www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/sports-news/icc-cricket-world-cup-2019-will-west-indies-team-prove-to-be-the-dark-horse-of-the-tournament-6524531.htmlICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Will West Indies team prove to be the dark horse of the tournament?Brian Lara recently stated that England and India would easily make it to the playoff of World Cup 2019. Could he have added West Indies to that small, celebrated list? Austin Coutinho, Apr 27, 2019 10:06:06 IST This local cricket umpire from Matunga, in Mumbai, couldn’t sleep the night India won the Prudential World Cup of 1983; he wasn’t allowed to. A diehard Vivian Richards fan, he had predicted that the mighty West Indies would crush India in the final, at Lord’s, on 25 June. After the shock win, cricketers and fans from the area, therefore, took a morcha to his house, burst crackers, raised slogans and danced there till the early hours of the morning. It was all in jest. The umpire, however, told me much later that it was scary. “Most of my friends were there and they were only rubbing it in. But a miscreant or two, mistaking it for a real morcha, could have stoned my house in the heat of the moment,” he said. In 1983, Kapil’s Devils were rank outsiders; 66 to 1. In 2019, the West Indies are. Yet, despite my umpire friend’s experience that night, and being fully aware of cricket’s ‘glorious uncertainties’, I would venture to stick my neck out and predict that the Jason Holder led team will play in the final on 14 July. It’s my gut feeling. Mind you, I am not saying who the other finalist will be; not yet! In 1983, strong teams like Australia, England and the West Indies had underestimated India’s prowess. In 2019, in my opinion, teams like India, England, Australia and Pakistan — all of whom have the wherewithal to make it to the World Cup final — will underrate the men from the Caribbean Isles at their own peril. A few years after the strong West Indies batting lineup had famously capitulated at Lord’s, to handover the Prudential Trophy to India, I had casually asked Gordon Greenidge, the legendary West Indies opener, in the Wankhede Stadium dressing room, if he had had sleepless nights after shouldering arms to a Balvinder Singh Sandhu inswinger in that 1983 final. Greenidge’s early wicket had triggered a collapse and chasing only 183 runs, the West Indies had been bowled out for 140 in 52 overs. “Why should I lose sleep over a dismissal?” he had shot back angrily. “Was someone in my family unwell? Our team was full of superstars; why couldn’t one of them guide us to a win, chasing what was a modest total?” What I inferred from that response was that the wound — of losing to India — was still festering. What’s more, the West Indies’ team of 1983 was made up of brilliant individuals, but the team lacked cohesion. Greenidge had later said that Clive Lloyd wasn’t an inspirational skipper. Sir Frank Worrell is credited with the building of a strong West Indies side in the early 1960s, which was then carried forward by Sir Garry Sobers. The baton was finally handed over to Lloyd, who took the West Indies to new heights of excellence in the 1970s and 80s, with the team from the Caribbean Islands dominating in both Tests and one-day cricket. The West Indies had an indomitable squad in the first three editions of the World Cup, then known as Prudential Cup. The team led by Lloyd won the 1975 final beating Australia by just 17 runs. In 1979, qualifying to meet hosts England in the final, the West Indies won by 92 runs. In the 1983 edition, Lloyd’s plan to win the tournament consecutively for the third time was thwarted by Kapil Dev’s team, an Indian squad that few had fancied would even reach the playoffs. Since that fateful day in 1983, the West Indies have managed to enter the playoff stage only on three occasions: a semifinal entry in 1996 and a last eight place in 2011 and 2015. Such has been the decline of a team that was once thought to be invincible. Over the last five years, West Indies’ ODI record has been abysmal by any standards. What has then changed in West Indies cricket for people — and yours truly — to believe that the team from the Caribbean Islands will do well in the ensuing World Cup? The answer could be: 1. Twice making it to the playoffs in the last two World Cups. 2. The five ODIs won against the nine lost in home and away series losses to Bangladesh, a series loss to India in India and a 2-2 draw against a strong England side, at home, in the past one year. 3. A rare test series win in recent times, and 4. The administrative changes taking place in Cricket West Indies (CWI). The 15-member squad that CWI has announced for the ICC World Cup of 2019 seems to be a strong one, at least on paper. The team led by Jason Holder includes Andre Russell, Ashley Nurse, Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Gayle, Darren Bravo, Elvin Lewis, Fabian Allen, Kemar Roach, Nicholas Pooran, Oshane Thomas, Shai Hope, Shannon Gabriel, Sheldon Cottrell and Shimron Hetmyer. In Gayle and Russell, the West Indies have men who can literally win matches on their own. With Lewis, Hope, Bravo, Pooran and Hetmyer in the squad along with Holder, Nurse and Brathwaite, who too can contribute with the bat and give the ball a fair tonk, the team from the Caribbeans can bat really deep. After a long, long time, the pace attack consisting of Gabriel, Thomas, Roach, Brathwaite and Cottrell too looks intimidating and dangerous. All in all, the West Indies selectors have done a fair job and it is now up to the players to repay their trust. In the latest ODI rankings of the ICC, the West Indies’ cricket squad lies in ninth place, with England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka preceding it. With players from the Caribbean Isles now asserting themselves in international T20 leagues the world over and positivity slowly creeping back into its cricket, the time is not far when West Indies shall take its deserving place back at the top of the heap. The legendary Brian Lara recently stated that England and India would easily make it to the playoff of World Cup 2019. Could he have added West Indies to that small, celebrated list? P.S: Just in case the Jason Holder led squad doesn’t make it to the final, in World Cup 2019, don’t come looking for me with a morcha. I shall be a few hundred kilometers away from Mumbai that weekend. Ciao! The author is a caricaturist and sportswriter. A former fast bowler, coach and sports administrator, he is now a mental toughness trainer.
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Post by Admin on May 31, 2019 5:30:34 GMT
The return of the West Indies "fear factor"by Rob Johnston • Published on Thu, 30 May, 11:46 AM Share Tweet The return of Chris Gayle has marked the resurgence of West Indies in ODIs The return of Chris Gayle has marked the resurgence of West Indies in ODIs © Getty Cast your mind back to March 2018. In Harare, West Indies were playing Scotland in a World Cup qualifier, a match that would decide who went through to the tournament proper. Scotland, in pursuit of 198, were coasting. West Indies looked dead and buried. Had it not been for a dodgy LBW against Scottish batsman Richie Berrington which changed the complexion of the match, they would have been. It was almost the lowest of low ebbs for the men from the Caribbean. In the end, Jason Holder's team were saved from the embarrassment of not being at this World Cup by that LBW decision and rain, allowing them to scrape home by five runs on DLS. But at that time, with West Indies struggling to beat Scotland and defeated by Afghanistan in the final of the qualifiers, would any of the best eight sides in the world have feared them? No chance. Heck, hardly any ODI side would have. They might now, mind. In the last six months, something has clicked for West Indies. Their batting, so meek and mild in the three and half years since the last World Cup, has been transformed. Between the last tournament and the end of 2018, West Indies were scoring their runs at less than five an over, preferring a leisurely walk while others strapped themselves in sports cars and put their foot down. Since the turn of the year, that has shot up to 6.6 runs an over, second only to England. A year ago, they would have been no odds to make an impression in this World Cup. Now, although far from the complete team, not many will fancy bowling to them. The fear factor is back, in large part because of the presence of Chris Gayle and Andre Russell - two players in fine, belligerent form. Their ability to win games on their own by virtue of sheer brute force is something no opponent can take lightly. Gayle made two hundreds, one of which was in the final warm-up match. There aren't many more destructive in the world. 162 off 97 balls, against England in February. Russell hit 52 sixes for KKR in the IPL and scored 54 off 25 balls against New Zealand as West Indies racked up 421 in their warm-up match. Gayle's performance against England earlier this year seems to have been the catalyst for West Indies' resurgence. He scored a remarkable 424 runs at a strike rate of 134 in that series and had the world's number one side on the ropes. In the final game of the series, he larruped 77 from 27 balls and Eoin Morgan's bowlers had no answer. The manner of his play, all aggression and power, carried others along. Shimron Hetmyer, for example, scored a belligerent hundred in the second game - an innings straight out of the Gayle playbook. During that rubber, it was as if Gayle had decided that the West Indies had to start giving it back in one-day cricket. That they had to start throwing some punches of their own after three years of being the punchbag. Then, right on time, Russell returned to the fold, initially as a non-playing member of the squad against England because of a knee injury and then as part of the World Cup party. If ever there was someone tailor-made to take up Gayle's mantle of fearlessness, it was Russell. The pair of them are showing the other West Indian players the way. Russell's form in the IPL was extraordinary. He scored at better than two runs a ball across the tournament, averaging 56, winning KKR a number of games from seemingly impossible positions. True, 50-over cricket is different to the shortest format but Russell's power and destructiveness can be just as effective in ODIs as he showed against New Zealand. Hetmyer, Evin Lewis, Carlos Brathwaite and captain Jason Holder add to West Indies' power and not many teams in this World Cup can match them in terms of pure ball-striking ability or depth. They have some firepower alright. They are not all about brute force, though. In Shai Hope, West Indies' most consistent one-day batsman, and Darren Bravo, they have finesse too. After a barren series against England, Hope's last five ODI innings have yielded scores of 170, 109, 30, 87 and 74. He also scored a hundred in the warm-up against New Zealand. After the power of Gayle and Lewis, his role at number three is one of batting through the innings, holding things together. He's a vital cog. "Shai has been carrying some form for a long time in the limited overs format, and he's really confident" Jason Holder said. "I think he's worked out his method of scoring in this format. It's really good to see a young batter stepping up and being as consistent as he has been. Obviously we've got power around him. I think we've got a really good mix in terms of our batting line-up." West Indies' recent performances have certainly been improved and given them confidence and belief that the aggressive route is the right one. They drew that series with England when many were predicting a whitewash and did well in patches in the tri-series against Ireland and Bangladesh earlier this month without Lewis, Gayle, Brathwaite and Russell, all of whom were at the IPL. Their destruction of New Zealand was the perfect reminder of what their improved game-plan can do. "One thing I like coming into this tournament is that every player is in a good frame of mind," Holder said. "Everybody is playing with a smile on their face, and that's how we play our best cricket. We're fearless, we enjoy what we're doing and we enjoy one another's company. I can safely say within the group we've got that. We've got the energy going into this tournament that we would want to have. "I think the rest is left down to us on the field. We've just got to execute whatever plans we formulate, and I think execution is key in this tournament, whether it's West Indies, England, India. The teams that execute their plans and be as disciplined as they can, more often than not they're going to come out on top." While there are still issues with West Indies' bowling, an area of the game that Holder admits has been "inconsistent", the batting looks in fine fettle, with left- and right-handers, power and aggression, finesse and touch. No team will sleep easy the night before bowling to Gayle and company. The fear factor, for so long missing from West Indies' one-day cricket, is most certainly back. And at just the right time. © Cricbuzz
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Post by Admin on May 31, 2019 5:35:16 GMT
Buoyancy surrounds West Indies as they begin quest to create a new legacy at World Cup West Indies were fortunate to even qualify for this World Cup... but could do real damage CREDIT: AFP Tim Wigmore 30 MAY 2019 • 6:27PM Follow Barring a terrible lbw decision against Scotland in the World Cup Qualifiers, West Indies would probably not be at this World Cup. And yet there is, quite understandably, a sense of Caribbean buoyancy going into their opening game against Pakistan. The 2-2 draw in the ODI series against England earlier this year showed that the West Indies can match the best teams in the world. That squad has been reinforced by Andre Russell, fresh from an astounding Indian Premier League campaign: 510 runs at an average of 56 and a strike rate over 200. He carried that form into the West Indies’ warm-up against New Zealand, pummelling 54 from 25 balls to help the West Indies clear 400, easily the highest total any team amassed in the warm-ups. Shai Hope, who has been in phenomenal form, albeit with fewer pyrotechnics than Russell and co, has even suggested that the West Indies could be the first team to top 500. –– ADVERTISEMENT –– The surfaces at Trent Bridge are so true that the ground stands a fair chance of hosting the first 500-plus score, whenever that materialises. It is unlikely to come in the opening game, with overcast skies expected and Pakistan’s bowling considerably strengthened the team defeated 4-0 by England. Both legspinner Shadab Khan, Pakistan’s best ODI bowler, and Mohammad Amir seem certain to return to the starting XI. The electric Khan will also improve Pakistan’s fielding, which has been distinctly ragtag during a run of 10 consecutive ODI defeats. This being Pakistan, though, the suspicion is that such abject preparation is merely the perfect prelude to a World Cup heist. Indeed, should they begin the tournament terribly they only have to look to the 1992 World Cup and 2017 Champions Trophy for a template of how to turn it around. The sense is that the round-robin format, which requires a team to win six out of nine games to be almost certain of reaching the semi-finals, and seven to be mathematically guaranteed, might require too much consistency from Pakistan, making this a game they can ill-afford to lose. Many would say the same about the West Indies, who haven’t won a bilateral or trilateral ODI series since before the 2015 World Cup. But the tournament offers a chance to make good on captain Jason Holder’s hopes for the team: to create a new legacy.
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Post by Admin on Jun 1, 2019 3:03:49 GMT
Cricket World Cup: Gayle and Thomas shine as West Indies thrash Pakistan
West Indies’ Oshane Thomas (centre) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Pakistan’s Wahab Riaz. Photograph: Rui Vieira/AP Chris Gayle spewed more runs off the edge of his railway sleeper than most of Pakistan’s players did from the middle of their toothpicks in an emphatic start to West Indies’ World Cup campaign. Before Gayle hit the afterburners, Oshane Thomas, the fifth bowler Jason Holder used in an all-seam attack on a pitch nearing the green of Nottinghamshire’s crest itself and under a thick duvet of swing-friendly cloud, thundered in to take four for 27. Gayle’s 34-ball 50, all but eight of his runs muscled in fours and sixes, clanged around a ground roughly evenly populated with both sides’ supporters. Those who could get in, that is: the International Cricket Council apologised and offered a refund to fans who had been marooned in queues because of problems with ticket scanners. Sign up to the Spin – our weekly cricket round-up Read more Tickets had to be printed at the ground because they did not arrive in time to be issued to their holders, causing delays. The same problem affected Thursday’s opening match between England and South Africa at the Oval. Advertisement You wonder whether Pakistan supporters were not quietly relieved they did not have to witness their team emptying the magazine on stupid shots to bristling short balls. They shambled to 105 all out, 20 balls shy of half their overs. West Indies won with seven wickets standing and 36.2 overs in the bank. Thomas, a flatbed truck of a man and an alumnus of Melbourne Cricket Club in Kingston, from which Michael Holding and Courtney Walsh also graduated into the greater game, made no apology for spending his morning bowling at Adam’s apples. “You get two bouncers an over,” he rasped at the merest suggestion that the aggro might have been a touch overdone. “You’ve got to use them.” Sarfaraz Ahmed protested that in these conditions, which were exacerbated by the 10.30am start, the toss was too decisive: “That is why we wanted to bowl first. At the start we lost too many wickets. That’s why we didn’t come back into the game.” Cricket World Cup 2019: latest standings Read more Holder was having none of that: “Well, that’s the time the cricket is supposed to start and I can’t control that. You know, the toss is 50-50, so I can’t have full control of that, either. It’s the same for both sides. Whether you bat or bowl in the first half of the game, you’ve got to look to do it and do it well.” Pakistan will have to find a way out of their mental maze before or during their match against England, ominously scheduled for Monday at the same venue. “First, we have to back ourselves and not think too much about what happened today,” Sarfaraz said. “That match is gone, so, inshallah, we have the type of players who can win the next match for us. Inshallah, we will bounce back.” West Indies’ challenge will also stiffen when they face Australia, Steve Smith, David Warner and all, in their next match on Thursday. That game is also at Trent Bridge, which could become the tournament’s equivalent of Wimbledon’s old No 2 court, the fast surface known as the graveyard of champions until it was replaced in 2009. Holder issued an oblique warning to opposing teams to expect what happened on Friday: “We want to be aggressive with whoever we’re playing against. It’s something we need to do in order to pick up wickets. With the modern-day game, if you are not picking wickets up throughout the innings you’re going to struggle to contain teams. So we want to be aggressive even if we give up a few runs up front trying to get wickets. West Indies thrash Pakistan by seven wickets in Cricket World Cup – as it happened Read more Advertisement “One of the things we’ve spoken about is just trying to have that mindset to take wickets, because if you’re not taking wickets you’re going to struggle. Easily the most competitive moment of the match happened between innings and far from the middle. At lunch, Wasim Akram had the good grace not to lose his temper with the stream of selfie seekers interrupting his commune with a plate of chicken and chapatis. Then his eyes alighted on a figure fresh to the room. The Spin: sign up and get our weekly cricket email. “Hey! The big man!” Wasim was on his feet as he boomed and the contest was on. Would his shorter, stockier frame have the advantage when his chest met Curtly Ambrose’s lower ribs? Or would Ambrose’s broomstick arms settle the issue? Of course they did: the beaming Antiguan lamppost won the hug hands down. Or, in this case, around the shoulders. A shame no one suggested they take it outside. For a super over. We're doing something different… … and laying the foundations for a sustainable future. Guardian journalism has now been supported by more than one million readers across the world – meaning we’ve been able to keep all our reporting open to everyone, and our editorial independence is protected. But we need to keep growing the number of readers who are investing in our future – by 2022, we aim to have two million supporters around the world. The Guardian will engage with the most critical issues of our time – from the escalating climate catastrophe to widespread inequality to the influence of big tech on our lives. 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Post by Admin on Jun 3, 2019 0:51:48 GMT
WI hammer Pakistan
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Post by Admin on Jun 7, 2019 4:57:27 GMT
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Post by Admin on Jun 7, 2019 5:13:12 GMT
Atrocious': Michael Holding slams umpires as Aussies trump West Indies www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12238159Cricket legend Michael Holding slammed the umpires in Australia's tense World Cup clash against the West Indies, branding them "atrocious" and "weak" after several controversial calls before star all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite also took an angry swipe at the men in charge. Holding, a former Windies fast bowler turned commentator, unleashed on the umpires after captain Jason Holder successfully reviewed an LBW decision when he was initially given out — incorrectly — for the second time. Holding criticised the umpires, Kiwi Chris Gaffaney and Sri Lankan Ruchira Palliyaguruge, for caving under pressure and he also took aim at the Aussies for over-appealing in their thrilling 15-run win over the side from the Caribbean. . "I am sorry but the umpiring in this game has been atrocious," Holding said in commentary during the TV broadcast. "For one, even when I was playing and they were not as strict as they are now, you were allowed one appeal. You don't appeal two, three, four times to the umpire. That is the first thing. "They are being intimidated (by Australia's appealing), that means they are weak. This has been an atrocious bit of umpiring by both." Holding's spray came after umpire Palliyaguruge took his time raising his finger as Adam Zampa and his teammates appealed for an LBW decision when Holder missed a sweep shot. Holder threw his head back in dismay and consulted with his partner before going upstairs, where Hawkeye said the ball was missing leg stump. That decision arrived after Holder had survived an earlier LBW appeal when facing Glenn Maxwell. Bowling from around the wicket, the Aussie all-rounder struck Holder on the pad but on that occasion Hawkeye said the ball had pitched outside leg stump and the skipper was allowed to remain at the crease. Holder's ordeal with Palliyaguruge followed opener Chris Gayle's battle with umpire Gaffaney up the other end at the start of the innings. In his 17-ball 21, Gayle was given out three times. First he was judged to have inside edged Mitchell Starc to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, but upon review, the ball missed the bat and the noise that could be heard was the pill scraping Gayle's off stump. The zing bails, which flash red when dislodged, didn't budge. It was yet another example of the innovative item falling the way of the batsman rather than the bowler. Earlier in the tournament South Africa's Quinton de Kock inside edged a ball onto his stumps but the bails stayed in place. The same thing happened when Sri Lankan star Dimuth Karunaratne was batting against New Zealand. Gayle escaped on that occasion and successfully used up life number two when he challenged Gaffaney's decision after being given out LBW. Starc's yorker was shown to be missing leg stump by a fair way. It was third time lucky for Australia when Gayle unsuccessfully reviewed another LBW shout. This time Starc had his man — but he shouldn't have been so fortunate. Replays showed the previous delivery was a huge no-ball, with Starc overstepping the crease by a huge distance. That should have made the next ball a free hit for Gayle but instead he perished. Dean Jones ✔ @profdeano Just saying again... another umpire on the ground standing behind the non striker.. he is just there for No-Balls. Umpires miss up to 6 no balls a match I reckon. 1,124 10:12 AM - Jun 6, 2019 Twitter Ads info and privacy 122 people are talking about this BRATHWAITE: 'THREE DODGY DECISIONS' Brathwaite also fumed over the dubious officiating which went against his side. "I don't know if I'll be fined for saying it, but I just think that the umpiring was a bit frustrating," Brathwaite told reporters. "Even when we were bowling we thought a few balls close to head height were called wides. "Obviously three decisions ... as far as I can remember being dodgy. It was frustrating. It sent ripples through the dressing room. "To lose Chris in a chase of 280 — he can probably get 180 of them himself. "Whatever is to be done will be done, whatever is to be seen will be seen but as players we just need to get on with it. Obviously we were frustrated." Brathwaite didn't go so far as to say the umpiring cost the West Indies the game and stressed there was "no confrontation" between the players and officials, but he cast doubt over how the Decision Review System (DRS) has affected his team not just today, but in the past. Australia's Nathan Coulter-Nile, second right, is congratulated by teammates after their win over West Indies in the Cricket World Cup match. Photo / AP Australia's Nathan Coulter-Nile, second right, is congratulated by teammates after their win over West Indies in the Cricket World Cup match. Photo / AP "Every time we get hit on our pad the finger goes up, when we hit the opposition on their pad the finger stays down," Brathwaite said. "So we have to use our reviews and it's always missing and then we have to use our reviews when we're batting as well and it's always clipping. "I'm not a technology person, I can't say why that happens, I can just say what I have seen happen over the past few years." Asked why he thought the Windies were getting dudded by the DRS, Brathwaite said: "No idea." Holder was a bit more diplomatic when pressed on the matter of umpiring. "I think I'll just say I just found ourselves a bit unlucky to be on the other end of all the decisions. I guess honest mistakes from the umpires, I don't want to get into the officiating part, but it's just ironic," Holder said. "I don't even know what to say about it, but it is a funny situation where all of them went against us, and then we had to review them, but I guess that's part of the game again." Holder could only laugh when asked about Gayle's dismissal coming off what should have been a free hit given Starc overstepped the mark. "I saw it on the screen in the dressing room, and I just laughed, man. I couldn't believe it," he said. "But again, I guess things didn't go our way today." STARC: 'I GOT AWAY WITH ONE' Starc only realised he'd bowled a no ball before getting Gayle out after the match and was just thankful it didn't cost him a wicket. "I didn't (know) until about five minutes ago when someone told me," Starc said in the post-match press conference. "I'm normally pretty close, and I've actually been a fair way back (from the line) for the last few weeks. Got away with that one, fortunately." No batsman has ever been given out three times like Gayle but the master blaster was unable to make the most of his opportunities and although his colleagues did their best to make up for it, they fell agonisingly short in a World Cup classic. Chasing 289 for victory, Shai Hope scored an impressive 68 and Holder threatened to win the game off his own bat but the Windies' hopes fell away when he was out for 51. Starc bowled brilliantly at the death, picking up key wickets to finish with 5/46 from 10 overs as the West Indies finished their 50 overs at 9/273.
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Post by Admin on Jun 13, 2019 6:41:35 GMT
Jofra Archer undaunted by battle against West Indies www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jun/09/jofra-archer-england-west-indies-cricket-world-cupJofra Archer will look to treat England’s next match against West Indies like any other, even if it represents his first encounter with the team he might have turned out for in another life. Barbados-born but now central to England’s World Cup campaign after qualifying for selection via his British passport and residency, Archer’s desire to remove any emotional significance from the game in Southampton on Friday is understandable. But with five Bajans in the opposing squad – Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse and Kemar Roach – and former West Indies Under‑19s teammates in Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran, familiarity does at least offer insight. Jason Roy century sets up comfortable World Cup victory for England Read more “It’s just another game of cricket, same as today, same as the last game,” Archer told BBC Sport after his three wickets helped to wrap up a one‑sided 106-run victory against Bangladesh in Cardiff on Friday. “I know them pretty good. I played with a few of the guys in under-19s, so it will be good to actually play against them this time. I’ll be able to share some knowledge but I do that whenever we play. “Even against Bangladesh I played with and against guys in the BPL and I guess I’ll share some knowledge when we play India and Australia. It’s not just the West Indies; I’ve got a pretty good knowledge of most of the prominent batters.” Archer, who will have family at the ground on Friday, certainly has his tail up again. Against Bangladesh he averaged 90.6mph in his opening spell, bowled a miserly, awkward line throughout and, in doing so, shrugged off a leaky showing in the defeat by Pakistan at Trent Bridge. The 24-year-old felt he did little different from one game to the next and insisted he was more concerned with “bowling well” than pace alone. One does feed into the other and in Mark Wood, who sent down the fastest ball of the competition so far when clocked at 95.6mph, he has a fellow quick pushing him on. Archer joked that he is faster than Wood and felt the big screen in Cardiff showed a touch of bias by showing only the latter’s speeds. He is fully aware of the physical threat they offer as a pairing, having roughed up the dangerous Tamim Iqbal himself and then seen Wood bounce him out. “I think you’ve seen someone got hit today twice,” Archer said. “If Iget hit once I don’t want to be thereany more really. Imagine getting hit twice.” For all this talk of intimidation Archer is a gentle but confident character off the field. When asked if he ever doubted whether he could make the transition from Sussex and various global Twenty20 leagues to the international stage, the reply was unequivocal. “Nah, I never doubted myself,” he said. “If you’re doubting yourself I don’t think you’re ready and probably shouldn’t be here. I didn’t really notice the step up. I’ve been playing competitive cricket for the last few years against the same guys really so it doesn’t really change anything. The only thing that changes is your uniform.” England’s Jofra Archer takes Bangladesh’s Sarkar to the cleaners Read more Advertisement England’s players, back to winning ways once again, have time off at home before returning to training on Wednesday. Their one fitness doubt surrounds Jos Buttler, who sustained a hip injury when striking a six in England’s 386 for six and did not keep wicket in the second innings. The team management continue to be confident about his chances. The nature of the knock means Buttler will either take the gloves or miss out altogether, with the captain, Eoin Morgan, stating that haring around in the outfield carries greater risk than standing behind the stumps.
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Post by Admin on Jun 18, 2019 22:12:13 GMT
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Post by Admin on Jun 20, 2019 23:57:49 GMT
LATEST STORIES: Butcher out as chairman Home Sports Sir Viv blasts... Sir Viv blasts Windies (CMC/Reuters), Added 20 June 2019 MORE ARTICLES www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/240362/sir-viv-blasts-windiesST JOHN’S – Iconic former captain Sir Vivian Richards has criticised West Indies’ “one dimensional” approach to their World Cup campaign and has slammed the lack of intensity shown in their defeat to Bangladesh last Monday. West Indies went down by seven wickets to Bangladesh in Taunton to suffer their third defeat in five matches, and remain on three points in seventh spot in the 10-team table. Their lone win came against Pakistan in their opener three weeks ago. The Caribbean side copped criticism for their persistence with the tactic of short-pitched bowling, which worked well against Pakistan and Australia but backfired against the Tigers, who completed their highest-ever run chase of 322 to win with 51 balls remaining. “There didn’t seem to be any planning where if this particular plan isn’t going to work then what about the plan B, plan C or whatever the case is. We are too one dimensional,” Sir Viv, who never lost a Test series as captain, told the Observer here. (CMC/Reuters)
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