ST.GEORGE’S, Grenada - Aggressive middle order batsman Deandra Dottin roared to a century to hand Barbados their first win, a commanding 235 run victory over host Grenada in the second round of matches in the West Indies Women Super 50 Wednesday.
Dottin blasted her way to 103 runs as Barbados, who lost their opening match against Trinidad and Tobago by two wickets on Monday, amassed 303 runs for nine wickets at the La Sagesse playing field.
She put her typical power hitting on show by tearing into the Grenadian bowlers hitting eleven fours and three sixes while Pamela Levine, not to be left out, struck six boundaries in a supporting scored 55.
Dottin’s century was the second in the tournament after Guyana’s June Ogle’s unbeaten 104 in Guyana’s win over Dominica on Monday.
Afy Fletcher with three for 41 and Rackel Williams two for 69 were the pick of the local bowlers.
Two of the region's top players, Christopher Gayle and Dwayne Bravo, believe franchises rather than national teams are good for the ongoing Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL).
"It's a good concept and judging by what I have seen so far, it is working," said Gayle, captain of the Jamaica Tallawahs.
"Players, especially young players, are getting the opportunity to see what it is like to play club cricket at a professional level, and this can only be good for the development of the game going forward."
Gayle, who was speaking ahead of last night's Jamaica Tallawahs' clash with the Trinidad Red Steel, also outlined that with most Test-playing countries having a Twenty20 franchise tournament, it was only fitting that West Indies, world champions of the format, follow suit.
"It (franchising) is happening all over the world and we are seeing how it is having a positive impact on their national Twenty20 teams," Gayle pointed out.
Port of Spain, Trinidad - The Jamaica Tallawahs overcame a late onslaught from the Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel to win their second game of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League.
The win also heaped more pressure on the Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel, who remains winless after three games. On Wednesday night though, Dwayne Bravo would have felt he had only himself to blame as the Red Steel edged closer to crashing out of the tournament.
The highlight of the match came in the 19th over of the Jamaica Tallawahs innings when Bravo opted to bowl himself. Danza Hyatt struck the first six, followed by three from Vernon Philander in an over that cost 26 runs.
Before the over, the Tallawahs were 107/6. After the over, they were 133/6. It was little consolation in the end that Bravo struck a quick 29 runs from 24 balls to give the Red Steel some hope.
The Tallawahs never looked like getting past 120 though. Bravo had sent them in. Chris Gayle and Ahmed Shehzad took advantage of the Powerplay. It wasn’t bad bowling from the Red Steel all the time. Some of the shots were risky and paid off.
Regarded by many as one of the leading commentators on TV and Radio, Winston Anthony "Tony" Cozier has been a cricket writer and commentator for West Indian cricket since 1958. Cozier is widely renowned for his extensive knowledge of cricket facts and statistics dating back to the 1950s and he has turned this passion for writing and numbers into a prolific career.
Cozier made his debut as a Test match commentator on radio during West Indies-Australia series in 1965. He has also commentated for Channel Nine in Australia, Test Match Special and also provides his expertise for the Sky Sports West Indies Cricket commentary team.
It's rare that one watches or listens to cricket from the West Indies without hearing Cozier's voice and cricket coverage from various eras and formats has been enhanced with his distinctive voice. The author of ‘The West Indies, ‘50 Years of Test Cricket’, Tony’s memory and expertise of cricket history and statistics has led to him being lauded worldwide. Some notable honours bestowed upon him are having the press box at the Kensington Oval being named after him as well as being granted an honorary lifetime membership with the MCC.
In an exclusive interview, Cozier spoke about his recollection of the best moments and the current state of West Indies cricket, the great fast bowlers hailing from the Caribbean over the years, his views on the talent of Brian Lara, the role of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and his thoughts on the recently-concluded series against Pakistan.
