Let me say from the outset, like Michael Holding, I think the only thing missing from a T20 match is (in our case) a case or two of Carib and a pot of pelau, some bottle and spoon and a DJ, plus some ‘winer gyul’ (the IPL & the CPL …
Read More »T2021 W/C: ‘Jaiks’ puts Hope in dream WI XI, while Mayers, Akeal and Alzarri among subs
“[…] Shai Hope: batsman/wicketkeeper. My first surprise selection. Easily among the best batsmen in the West Indies at the moment; can accumulate without offering chances, stabilises the middle overs…” Ken Jaikaransingh, who rarely missed a day of Test cricket at the Oval when the WI were still the WINdies, selects …
Read More »T2021 W/C: ‘Fab Four’ (Pt 2)—Roneil picks Hetmyer, Pooran in dream WI’s XI to counter spin threat
Now that the West Indies’ ‘Fab Four’, the ‘Real McCoy’ and Fabian ‘Bucket Hands’ Allen are out of the way, let us take a close look at the composition of the rest of the WI T20I squad. Unlike in the Test arena, where WI seem to be on a never-ending …
Read More »T2021 W/C: Jackman calls for DJ Bravo as pinch-hitter, Ramdin in reserve and Gayle exit
“[…] Let me here recall the late Sir Alf Ramsey’s explanation of how he managed England to their only major football title, the 1966 World Cup. The former wing-back said he did not have the players to fit any existing system so he developed one to fit his players. “[…] …
Read More »Brilliant Pooran almost denies Pakistan their 7-run win over WI in 2nd T20I
Pakistan’s 7-run win over West Indies in the second T20I at the National Stadium in Providence, Guyana, on Saturday turned on six elements: Pakistani skipper Babar Azam’s beautiful batting, rain’s inopportune 17-minute interruption, Man-of-the-Match Mohammad Hafeez’s miserly bowling, Evin Lewis’ untimely injury, WI skipper Kieron Pollard’s uncharacteristic lack of timing, …
Read More »T2021 W/C: Tino Singh names nine batsmen, including Gayle and Hetmyer, in his dream WI XI
“[…] I strongly feel the under-rated off-spin of the ‘Universe Boss’ will be a back-up weapon and will work in WI’ favour. “I am bold enough to predict that [Obed] McCoy will emerge as one of the leading wicket-takers in the tournament. He is one of the most improved bowlers …
Read More »Aussie bats wade into WI bowlers, romp to 6-wkt win to clinch series on ‘untrustworthy’ pitch
On a turning Barbados’ Kensington Oval track on Monday, Australia’s batsmen took an aggressive approach and fought their way to a commanding six-wicket victory over Kieron Pollard’s feckless West Indians. The win gave Alex Carey’s side a 2-1 win in the three-match ODI series, some degree of revenge for their …
Read More »Lewis slams 23-ball 50 to seal deal for Pooran’s West Indies against Australia
A magnificent, low, diving, one-handed catch by Fabian Allen stopped Aaron Finch’s Australians in their tracks as they sought to chase down an Evin Lewis-powered West Indies target of 199 runs. And unable to motor on, the tourists fell 16 runs short as the Nicholas Pooran-led home side closed out …
Read More »Marsh sets up Aussies with bat, Starc denies West Indies and Russell with ball
With 11 runs needed off the last over and Andre Russell on strike, there was not a West Indian in sight who did not see 4-0 coming. But although Mitchell Starc’s last ball went for four to the straight midwicket boundary, none of the first five—all clocked at over 140kph—had. …
Read More »Lewis powers West Indies to convincing win; Proteas reel and come again?
Earning more than half the required runs in sixes, Kieron Pollard’s West Indies cruised to an easy 8-wkt win in the First T20I against South Africa at the Grenada National Stadium on Saturday. Needing a modest 161 for victory after Pollard won the toss and saw his bowlers pull Temba …
Read More »Chasing rainbows; wind in WI ODI sails as long trip to India 2023 begins
WI are rounding the corner. But don’t start celebrating just yet. We are heading to Toco; the corner we are just rounding is Icacos Point. Like in the bad old days of the Middle Passage, we are in a row boat. Going east. Against the tide. There is good news, …
Read More »WI clinch ODI series with game to spare, as Lewis and Hope break opening record—again!
Two days after setting a record opening stand against Sri Lanka, Evin Lewis and Shai Hope raised the bar further still with a new landmark partnership of 192 runs, as West Indies defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. West Indies made 274-5 …
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