History, we West Indians are acutely aware, is written for the most part by the victors. So, although the West Indies have only beaten England seven times in the last 11 series since the end of 2000, in mid-April, British cricket writer Scyld Berry brought the late Tony Cozier to …
Read More »Vaneisa: Spirits of the game; West Indies’ friendly ghosts at the Gabba
“In our eras of greatness, when West Indies took the field, ghostly presences walked with the players, representing commitment to a higher cause, loyalty to the proudest of traditions and attachment to a long line of heroes—and the twelfth man in the team always answered to the name of courage.” …
Read More »Vaneisa: Saluting cricketers in a league of their own
So far, in not writing about cricket for eight columns straight (I am sticking to my story that they are really about Caribbean societies), I have avoided naming any contemporary players. But I want to veer away a bit and talk about some CPL events, and that entails some name-calling. …
Read More »Vaneisa: Build communities by teaching youths “histories of ourselves”
When Gordon Rohlehr and Brinsley Samaroo died recently, the torrent of tributes celebrated their contributions to the world. Especially significant was the consistent references to their generosity with knowledge—the way they shared without regard for financial remuneration or public recognition. Along with the indefatigable Bridget Brereton, they have been exemplars …
Read More »Olympic 4x100M Gold Medalists: “We feel swept under the rug!” Shamfa: Gov’t can’t pay requested fees
Nearly a year after receiving their gold medals at a reallocation ceremony in Lausanne, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago’s 4x100M relay team from 2008 claim that the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GoRTT) is yet to reward them for their upgrade from silver to gold for the Beijing …
Read More »Best: Will West Indies batsmen get IPL Easter resurrection lessons from mind coach Brian Lara?
Mid-April, the 53rd anniversary of the declaration by Dr Eric Williams’ embattled government of T&T’s first state of emergency, and two voices are in my head. One is real, the other imagined. Neither will go away. “Power alone will never make us strong. The heart must also sing the human …
Read More »Lara takes “performance mentor” job to “improve game sense” of Windies players
West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara was unveiled today as the Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) new performance mentor with a remit to improve the “game sense” and tactical nous of international players and coaches in the region. A CWI release said Lara, a former West Indies cricket captain and record …
Read More »Test cricket for white-ball players, fitness consensus, center wicket practice: the CWI’s 34-point Report on T20 W/Cup exit
“[…] It is not in the best interests of West Indies Cricket that our best players play in every global league and play for the WI Team on an optional basis. It is imperative that the Board and the players have a frank and honest discussion with each other in …
Read More »Lara on three-man CWI committee to conduct “comprehensive review” of WI’s T20 exit
West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara will sit on a three-man committee mandated to “conduct a comprehensive review” of the West Indies’ humiliating group stage exit from the recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced today that its: “ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Review Group …
Read More »Saluting Sir Garry Sobers: Happy birthday to cricket’s unique ‘six-tool player’
Born 86 years ago today on 28 July 1936, Garfield St Aubrun Sobers became simply, as Sparrow sang, “the greatest cricketer on Earth or Mars”. Hyperbole? Calypsonians, we know, are so prone. Still, it isn’t easy to dismiss the claim made by the Calypso King of the World on behalf …
Read More »Early Bird: Insularity’s alive and well and coming soon from a place near you in T&T
“[Joe] Root won the toss…” It was a joke, not meant to be taken seriously. It was. Bobby had clearly prepared himself for the eventuality. “Check the record, bro,” he hit back. “[Brian] Lara recaptured his record in the Fourth Test, not the First. And when a class batsman is …
Read More »Early Bird: Root’s record plus weak West Indies bowling put Lara’s record under threat
Sonny Ramadhin’s recent death reminded us that more than once MCC tinkered with the rules. The changes may have helped England in 1957 but they certainly haven’t really helped them do all that well in the Caribbean at any time. Their last away series win in the 20th Century came …
Read More »