In The Papers Today (Oct 20, 2005)

Thu, Oct 20, '05

The West Indies cricket team has arrived in Brisbane, via London and Sydney, ahead of its three Test series against Australia.

Speaking to the media on arrival, coach Bennett King told Reuters that the major problem faced by his squad is inexperience rather than inability saying, "Eleven of the players are 25 and under. There's only two that are over 30 and they're our most experienced players. They're really dedicated and they work hard and I've been really happy with the progressions that have been made to date."

Most of the regional papers today are reporting on Brian Lara's proximity to the world record aggregate in Test runs. Lara requires just 315 more to take the number one spot from Australian Allan Border, and sponsors Digicel is using the occasion to squeeze some publicity from the occasion.

The Caribbean Media Corporation fell for the bait, republishing Digicel's press release, ensuring the free advertisement is distributed throughout the region..

Cricket World Cup 2007 stakeholders road show wrapped up on 13 October after visiting all nine host countries in a whirlwind eleven days.

The Trinidad Guardian reports that the initiative was applauded throughout the region as "timely and relevant in bringing vital sectors of their communities up to date on developments for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007."

Naz Yacoob brings his regular local cricket round-up, revealing a World Cup profit projection plan presented to a "select group of cricket administrators" by Dudnath Ramkessoon and Alloy Lequay.

Yacoob also presents the list of graduates from the Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board Inductees Class of 2005. Among the 18 young players who will graduate on Friday is Justin Guillen, who survived a kidnapping ordeal last month.

In the Barbados Nation, Philip Spooner profiles West Indies wicket keeper Denesh Ramdin, who headed for Australia hoping to build on the promise he showed on debut against Sri Lanka in July.

Spooner is complimentary of the young man, saying he has steely resolve and a mature outlook, echoing the sentiments of many in the region who have touted him as a future West Indies captain.

In the Stabroek News' Donald Duff reports that the West Indies Cricket Board was pleased with Guyana?s staging of the KFC Cup Final Four matches.

Speaking to Duff, Guyana Cricket Board president Chetram Singh said, "The West Indies Board is pretty pleased with Guyana. They have congratulated the Guyana Board for doing a wonderful job."

Singh also praised opening batsman Sewnarine Chattergoon, who scored 119 to help secure the title for Guyana and vice captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, who finished up with a tournament average of 115.

The paper also reports that the West Indies have recruited former NSW Waratahs rugby union trainer Bryce Cavanagh to whip the team into shape ahead of the series in Australia.

The piece is republished from Australian paper the Daily Telegraph, which perhaps explains why they call Cavanagh a new recruit. The Aussie taskmaster commenced West Indies duties during the 2005 Home Series against South Africa. We wonder why Stabroek News editors didn?t pick up on that minor detail...

Ravendra Madholall reports on the opening match of the 2005 Carib Beer senior four-day Inter-county cricket competition for the Guyana Chronicle.

At stumps on the day one of the Demerara/Essequibo clash, Demerara were in a strong position thanks to 141 not out from opening batsman Krishna Arjune, and will resume on 363 for five.

The Barbados Cricket Association has parted company with its Chief Executive Officer Ricky Craig, according to the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation.

Craig refused to comment on the decision, which was made at a BCA meeting on Tuesday night. Apparently he was offered a contract extension of three months back in August 2005 but declined it, leading in the separation.

Gus Logie's Bermuda team will play Kenya in the ICC Intercontinental Cup semi-finals this coming weekend, and the Trinidadian coach has told Bermuda?s Royal Gazette that his side cannot afford to go into the match with a sluggish start.

Cricket correspondent Dan Rutstein reports that four changes have been made to the squad for the important match and Logie was more than happy to discuss the individuals on his team, along with the reasons for the changes, at length in a pre-tour interview.

WindiesCricket.com reports that World Cup 2007 CEO Chris Dehring has officially welcomed the four newly appointed directors to Cricket World Cup 2007. Three institutional directors, from CARICOM, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation and the University of the West Indies are yet to be confirmed but the full board will eventually have 18 members.

Speaking on the composition of the board of directors Dehring said, "Board members are drawn from a diverse cross-section of our Host Venue countries and we look forward to benefiting from the gamut of their collective experience and wisdom as we focus on the crucial implementation phase of the Event."