Sammy fined for criticising third umpire Holdstock

Mon, Jun 30, '25

West Indies coach Daren Sammy has been fined for his criticism of third umpire Adrian Holdstock during the opening Test against Australia in Barbados.

Sammy was angered by two decisions, in particular, that went against West Indies on the second day: Roston Chase's lbw, upheld by Holdstock despite a suggestion of an inside edge, and Shai Hope's inside edge that was brilliantly caught by Alex Carey, who was ruled to have held the catch cleanly. On the first day, Holdstock adjudged a similar low catch to Hope off Travis Head as having not carried.

Speaking after the second day's play, Sammy said he had held concerns about Holdstock's umpiring from the recent ODI series in England.

"You don't want to get yourself in a situation where you're wondering about certain umpires," he said. "Is there something against this team? But when you see decision after decision, then it raises the question."

There is a monster on the cricket field

Thu, Jun 26, '25

There is a monster on the cricket field.

He doesn’t haunt dreams. He walks tall and proud in broad daylight, wearing maroon, representing the West Indies on the global stage.

He’s celebrated, cheered for, idolized. But to the women he has violated, he is not a hero. He is a predator.

This cricketer is Guyanese. And as I write this column, I have heard accounts from no fewer than eleven women, one of them a teenager who allege that they have been sexually assaulted, raped, or subjected to unwanted sexual advances by him.

There is a monster in maroon, and his violence hides behind a ball and a cheering crowd.

Recently, Kaieteur News reported on an incident involving this player just before he departed Guyana.

Seales, Shamar scythe through Australia on Day 1 of 1st Test

Wed, Jun 25, '25

Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph shared nine wickets on the opening day in Barbados to increase the pressure on Australia's faltering batting line-up, but the visitors' quicks struck back to suggest another Test match that could unfold in fast forward on a surface that offered assistance for the seamers.

Australia's reshaped top order slipped to 22 for 3 against new ball before Usman Khawaja, who was dropped twice on 6 and 45, and Travis Head added 89 as they threatened to take control. However, Khawaja's dismissal to Shamar Joseph sparked a collapse of 7 for 69 which included Head for 59 after he'd been controversially reprieved by the third umpire who ruled a catch hadn't carried to wicketkeeper Shai Hope.

Australia's 180 was their lowest total in West Indies having chosen to bat first, and their lowest either way since 1995 in Trinidad. But while they have issues over the batting, the bowling attack remains formidable and the total grew in significance amid Mitchell Starc's new-ball burst. He had former captain Kraigg Brathwaite, playing his 99th Test, edging low to second slip where Beau Webster held an excellent catch. He then shaped one away from the left-handed John Campbell to leave the hosts 16 for 2.

West Indies cricketer accused of sexual assault in Guyana

Wed, Jun 25, '25

A prominent Guyanese and West Indies cricketer has been accused of sexually assaulting a young woman, with disturbing allegations surfacing online and now under scrutiny by local media and potentially regional cricket authorities.

The allegations have prompted renewed attention to an incident reportedly involving the cricketer and a 24-year-old woman, referred to in this report as Jane Doe to protect her identity.

The alleged victim and her parents spoke to Kaieteur News, and revealed that she has made multiple unsuccessful attempts to file an official report with the Guyana Police Force.

The incident is said to have occurred shortly before the player left Guyana.

Jane Doe claims that she and the cricketer had agreed to go on a date, with clear boundaries set.

West Indies and Australia at Kensington Oval: A Rivalry for the Ages

Wed, Jun 25, '25

by ON DRIVE WITH SHAM SAMAROO

Bridgetown June 25, 2025

Kensington Oval, once the mecca for fast bowlers in the region and an impregnable fortress of West Indies cricket, boasts a proud history. From its inaugural test in 1930 until the mid-90s West Indies were undefeated at the Oval save for a solitary loss to England in 1935. But the most unforgettable memories at the Oval are from the rivalry between West Indies and Australia during the second half of the 20 th century. From that epic Atkinson and Depeiaza match-saving partnership in 1955 to Brian Lara’s sensational match-winning performance to end the 90s decade, Kensington Oval has served up some mouthwatering contests during that period between these two giants of world cricket.

On Wednesday, the two teams will continue their storied rivalry that began 70 years ago in 1955 at Kensington Oval during Australia’s maiden tour of the region. That game is best remembered for the record-breaking 7 th wicket partnership of 347 runs between two Barbadians, skipper Dennis Atkinson (219) and Clairmont Depeiaza (122). In fact, six Barbadians played in that game including the 3 Ws and Gary Sobers. My dear friend, Tony Gilkes, then a wide-eyed 10 year old, was at the Oval that day. Gilkes would later go on to play for Spartan in the Barbados Division 1 in the late 60s sharing the dressing room with such illustrious teammates as Cammie Smith, David Holford, Peter Lashley, and Tony Howard. I spoke with Gilkes earlier this week about that game in 1955. “I remember a 19-year old Gary Sobers opening against the legendary Lindwall and Miller and smashing them all over the park", he told me. Sobers made 43 laced with 10 boundaries. It was just desserts for Lindwall and Miller who had earlier hit centuries in Australia’s first innings. But the fearsome Aussies struck back removing Sobers, the three Ws, and Collie Smith to leave West Indies tottering at 147 for 6 in reply to their total of 668. Enter Atkinson and Depeiaza and the rest, as they say, is history. Gilkes recalled, “Everyone thought the game was over and very few people came the next day to the Oval. The two of them batted for two days. No one could believe it!"

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