Today, I want to return to the subject of Chris Gayle’s angry public reaction to perceived provocation by Curtly Ambrose. Obliquely, not frontally. I want to suggest that, heated though it was, it may well conceal a submerged iceberg. We might properly begin with West Indian royalty. But it seems …
Read More »B&B (Trailer): ‘Reds’ Perreira on the ingredients that go into making a great athlete
How important is ‘talent’? Renowned West Indies commentator Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira describes what makes a great player with two examples: batting genius Brian Lara and formidable fast bowler Andy Roberts. Look out for Perreira’s full interview on the Burdie and Barney Show on Friday 24 September as we chat about …
Read More »Flashback: Whispering hurts; Holding on WI’s Test shortcomings and Lara’s captaincy
The following column, written by Lasana Liburd, was first published in the Trinidad Express Sport Magazine on 29 July 2004: “I have heard people say that we cannot get any worse,” said ex-West Indies legendary fast bowler and Sky Sport TV commentator Michael Holding, “and that we have reached rock-bottom …
Read More »T2021 W/C: ‘The best of the available candidates’, you say?! Best on differing value of the Bravos
Darren Bravo is a gifted left-hander who, for years, was the best batsman in the region and a clone of his cousin, Brian Charles Lara, the best batsman the country has produced. But that was once upon a time. Darren Bravo vintage 2021 is not vintage at all. On merit. …
Read More »Ambrose: West Indies’ glory days will come not back; why iconic pacer bowled a googly
Former West Indies pacer Curtly Ambrose was in the news last week. Speaking on the Talk Sports Live show in Antigua, he poured scorn on the notion of a possible return of WI cricket to its former glory. “Yes, we can be competitive and climb up the ICC rankings and …
Read More »Best: Long WI cricket history, short memories, success, succession and the easy solution illusion
“At a time when aggressive, proactive international captaincy is in short supply,” writes Ian Chappell, in discussing Ajinkya Rahane’s leadership in the absence of Virat Kohli, “India are fortunate to have two leaders who both understand the value of taking wickets over containing the opposition.” At a time when aggressive, …
Read More »Flashback: Tribute to Angus Eve; why Trinidad and Tobago owes more respect to sporting heroes
The following column was written by then Trinidad Express journalist Lasana Liburd on 6 June 2005: If Angus Eve stacked stationery or cut out newspaper clippings at CCN for a living, he would be afforded a proper send-off on the day that he, or the company, decided his talents belonged …
Read More »Lyndersay: Where’s Brian? A review of 501 Not Out
“[501 Not Out is] a romantic reminiscence of the closing of a golden era in West Indies cricket, a sparkling reminder of the power of the region’s cricketers and the stunning individual achievement of [Brian] Lara at the wicket. “It’s also an odd little film, one that focuses almost determinedly …
Read More »Farewell Lenny Kirton; tribute to ex-Harvard coach who once mentored Lara
“[Brian] Lara describes himself as ‘grateful for having had the opportunity to learn from Lenny Kirton,’ whom he remembers as ‘a good man’ but ‘very hard to please’. It was, he says, the coach’s way of ensuring that the talented teenager ‘keep a level head, be humble and keep working …
Read More »If WI-shes were horses, Holder wouldn’t have to worry about hurricanes
Buoyed by the recent receipt of awards and bestowal on him of new accolades, Jason Holder may well believe that the home side he leads can match the visitors in the two-Test series which starts in Antigua today. I honestly hope he does not. Named West Indies Test Player of …
Read More »Agent: Lara is okay; West Indies legend hospitalised for chest pain in India
West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara was admitted to the Global Hospital in Parel, Mumbai today after allegedly complaining of chest pains. However, Lara’s agent, Michael Anatol, assured fans of the iconic former Trinidad and Tobago sportsman that there is no need to worry. “He is okay,” Anatol told Wired868. …
Read More »Confessions of a World Cup addict: By any means necessary, Australia look to maintain title stronghold
Karma, they say, is a bitch. History’s reputation, as far as I am aware, is not quite so negative. But we are admonished not to ignore it; those who fail to heed its lessons, we are warned, are condemned to repeat it. Beaten by the West Indies in the first …
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