President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Wes Hall has
showered praise on the region's star batsman, Brian Lara, for the
manner in which he communicated with the Board during his absence
from the game.
Hall said: "Lara had been cleared only on December 24, to return
to light practice and training. I have nothing but praise for him.
He acted honourably and honestly with the Board. I have the highest
respect for him and hate to hear the criticism that seems to follow
him."
Jamaica's coach Robert Haynes and former West Indies captain
Courtney Walsh both believe young fast bowler Jerome Taylor is good
enough to play first cricket this season.
"I think he is ready for first class cricket," Haynes said.
"When you look at the batsmen he got in the practice matches and
knowing that they played first class cricket, I don't see why
Taylor is not ready. "He is fast, he is bowling well and thats the
person I want to have around," he added.
Acting CEO of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Roger
Brathwaite, and West Indies opening?batsman Wavell Hinds have both
denied making any statements on the issue of England playing in
Zimbabwe during the 2003 World Cup.
A statement from the WICB quoted Brathwaite as saying the direct
quotation featured on the BBC Sport web page (See
link) on January 9 did not come from him and he was very upset
that this error could have been made by such a reputable news
organization.
Double world-record holder Brian Lara was in top form Saturday
as his North teammates won Saturday after just three days play in
the Gerry Gomez Memorial North/South Classic.
In his first competitive cricket match in months, batsman Lara
blasted a boundary with 71 not out to lift North to victory over
South. Since the four-day match ended early, organizers planned for
the teams to play a one-day match Sunday with 50-overs a side.
West Indian hopeful Devon Smith scored yet another century when
he hit another classy ton on the opening day of the Windward
Islands cricket tournament Friday.
Smith hit 147 in another impressive display as Grenada scored
freely on the first day against Dominica, chalking up an impressive
first innings total of 357.
