In Game Two of the three-match ODI series against the Netherlands at the VRA Ground in Amstelveen today, Brandon King kept his head while other West Indian batsmen around him were losing theirs. The talented right-hander reaped multiple rewards: an unbeaten 91 to go with his 58 not out in …
Read More »McWatt: Brathwaite, Da Silva, Mayers, Seales… heroes everywhere in wonderful weekend for West Indies cricket
What a wonderful weekend it has been for West Indies cricket! First, the women secured their qualification for the 2022 World Cup. Then, to double the enjoyment, the men created history by securing a 1-0 series victory against England to become the first-ever holders of the newly minted Richards–Botham Trophy. …
Read More »Determined Da Silva’s fighting half-century gives WI slim first innings lead
Joshua Da Silva had a steely glint in his eye as he acknowledged the plaudits of the crowd on Day Two of the Third Apex Test at the National Stadium in Grenada today. The wicketkeeper scored a critical, unbeaten, rear-guard 54 to push Kraigg Brathwaite’s West Indies past the 204 …
Read More »Slim pickings for WI bowlers; Lawrence misses out but Root gets Test ton number 25
Had gun-shy West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite decided to risk a review off the last ball of the 20th over in the Second Apex Test at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados today, England might have found themselves—not for the first time—in a spot of bother before lunch. He did not …
Read More »Early Bird: Bonner sparks memory of Larry Gomes, as Haynes’ ‘Adaptables’ spread wings
With Roger Harper now history, adaptability is the new West Indies selection watchword. No more specialists, new lead selector Desmond Haynes has said. Show me your motion and I’ll find the right band for you. Already, Shamarh Brooks and Kyle Mayers have got a look-in in the white ball set-up. …
Read More »McWatt: WI Women shine again, WI men batted too slowly but credit to CWI for Academy plans
“[…] West Indies cricket fans all over the world should now be overjoyed with the most wonderful news of Cricket West Indies’ announced intentions to create an Antigua Coolidge Cricket Centre-based Emerging Players Annual Academy. “[…] Many will expect that legends such as Sir Andy Roberts, Sir Vivian Richards, Sir …
Read More »Bonner, Holder hold off England; Brathwaite praises 1st innings centurion after drawn Test
Nkrumah Bonner pulled the 48th ball he received in the West Indies’ second innings of the First Apex Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound today to the midwicket boundary for four. That took his team, chasing an unlikely 286 off 71 overs to beat Joe Root’s …
Read More »‘We have a fighting chance!’ Bonner solidifies West Indies, as hosts take charge against England
After a 354-ball, nine-hour marathon that had yielded 123 runs at a strike rate of 34.64, Nkrumah Bonner found himself at bat with only 14 more deliveries left in the day’s play. All arms and legs, part-timer Dan Lawrence ran in and served up an off-spinner that spun down the …
Read More »“It’s evenly poised!” Brathwaite seeks bright WI start as Holder and Bonner defy England
Rain interrupted proceedings five times in the course of the second day of the First Apex Test match at the Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound in Antigua. But at the end of the kind of day that frustrates West Indian cricketers, thanks largely to an unbeaten 75-run partnership between …
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 »Phillip shines, ‘Hetty’ struggles; McWatt and ‘Reds’ use form to name preferred WI Test squad
“[…] There would have been at least two major disappointments for West Indies selectors Desmond Haynes and Ramnaresh Sarwan. For starters, the prodigiously talented Shimron Hetmyer has now not played a Test match for the West Indies since November 2019. “[…] Hetmyer endured a most miserable time [in the four-day …
Read More »‘Hand of Hetty’ prompts Guyana collapse, Solozano shines for Red Force, Jamaica defy Barbados
Shimron Hetmyer was one of the most talked about West Indies cricketers this year, without actually playing for the West Indies—owing, according to the Cricket West Indies (CWI) selectors—to his fitness issues. Today, the talented 25-year-old stole the show again despite facing just one ball from Leeward Islands Hurricanes pacer …
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