“[…] The selectors have no room for sentimentality; in order to qualify automatically for the October/November 2023 World Cup in India, we have to get the points against Sri Lanka. We must pick the best 18-man squad from among all the available players. “I would go with three openers: Evin …
Read More »Pollard, Holder, Pooran among 12 withdrawals from Windies’ Bangladesh tour, amidst Covid concerns
West Indies Test captain Jason Holder and One-Day International captain Kieron Pollard are among 10 cricketers who rejected call-ups for next month’s tour of Bangladesh due to ‘Covid-19 related concerns or personal fears’. The other players who ‘declined the opportunity to tour’ for similar reasons are: Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston …
Read More »As Pollard’s WI head for Sri Lanka, is headstrong Hetmyer headed for the exit?
Having sent the Irish home with the taste of defeat fresh in their mouths, Kieron Pollard’s victorious West Indies troops are preparing to fly out to Sri Lanka this weekend. After Afghanistan, India and Ireland, the resurgent Caribbean cavaliers must feel fairly confident of their chances of yet another victory …
Read More »Antigua’s little hero Alzarri: Few words, plenty pace and a growing bag of Irish scalps
Hayden Walsh Jr came to the wicket with the West Indies, in pursuit of 238 for a long-awaited series win, in trouble at 148 for 7. When Sheldon Cottrell smashed Mark Adair for six over extra-cover to give Kieron Pollard’s soldiers a narrow one-wicket win with one ball left in …
Read More »Best sees WI World Cup squad as not looking world-class but asks: Who we go put?
Twok! Twok! Twok! Twok! Four remarkable, meaty blows that sent Ben Stokes’ balls sailing over the boundary and unexpectedly won the 2016 T20 World Cup for West Indies. So, heeding Ian Bishop’s order, I have remembered the name Carlos Brathwaite. Likewise, clearly, the selectors. Three years after that unforgettable April …
Read More »CPL 17: Cooper gets a lover, Pollard gets a blank as TKR seal title number two
“Aye, Cooper, ah love yuh,” he shouted (Yes, he! No mistake! An older, balding gentleman whose gait suggested a certain unsteadiness that was perhaps liquid-provoked). “TKR is the greatest side in the world.” He was dressed in a Trinbago Knight Riders tee-shirt and waving a red bandanna energetically to and …
Read More »CPL 17: Cooper steals show to push Knight Riders to final victory over SKN Patriots
The Trinbago Knight Riders have a second CPL title in their hands, thanks to Kevon Cooper. Without the heroics the allrounder produced in the late stages of the TKR innings in their CPL final match-up last night, the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots might well have walked away from the …
Read More »CPL 17: Celine Dion consolation for TKR as T&T lose twice in one night
“Every little thing’s gonna be alright,” Brenty M sang, quoting Bob Marley in an attempt to put the minds of the anxious Trinbago fans around us at rest. “But this is a big thing,” some wit behind us retorted, “so that eh happening tonight.” Under normal circumstances, the exchange might …
Read More »CPL 17: Cottrell charges as Patriots kayo kamikaze Knight Riders to march into CPL final
Sheldon Cottrell gleefully snaffled the easy return catch offered by Colin Munro and celebrated with a smart soldier’s salute. With military precision, the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots were on the march to their first Hero CPL finals. And at home at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba last night, …
Read More »CPL 17: Bravo’s down-sized TKR tackle Gayle’s Goliaths; can class trump form?
Boasting a spin attack that would be the envy of many teams in world cricket, Trinbago Knight Riders lost only two matches on their way to ending the round robin phase of this year’s Hero CPL T20 comfortably at the top of the table. But as they prepare to meet …
Read More »CPL 17: No easy ride for Knight Riders; buoyant Patriots bid for revenge in Tuesday playoff
They’re back at home and up against it! After a stellar run of qualifying matches, including eights wins, ended in defeat on Saturday, Dwayne Bravo’s Trinbago Knight Riders must get back to winning ways. But it won’t be easy. And they may be quaking in their boots. Tomorrow, they take …
Read More »PITT STOP: Our high, low game; would new rules and roles help WI win more matches?
After the big 7-wicket WI victory in the third of the four T20s against Pakistan at the Queen’s Park Oval last weekend, former-ace-pacer-turned-broadcaster Ian Bishop reminded listeners that the hosts tend not to repeat victories. Carlos Brathwaite’s side duly lost the last match, giving the visitors a 3-1 win in …
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