Fri, Feb 28, '14
Despite poor batting by the top order, which saw them crumble to 45 for 4, and a century for England by Michael Lumb, the West Indies managed to post a 15 run win over the visitors in the first ODI in Antigua today. The win seemed unlikely until Lendl Simmons (65) and captain Dwayne Bravo (87*) combined to put on 108 runs for the 5th wicket. Darren Sammy (61) joined Bravo and the pair batted watchfully at first and then with increasing aggression to post a remarkable -- given the circumstances -- 269 for 6 with Sammy out caught on the last ball. England in turn started well, and seemed to be cruising along at 180 for 2 when Lumb was dismissed by Ravi Rampaul for a well played 106, at which point England unravelled and found themselves with 4 wickets in hand but 15 runs short at the end.
Channel NewAsia has a match report and ESPNCricinfo has the scorecard.
Fri, Feb 28, '14
There is a piece of scrubland next to the VC International Airport. It is strewn with weeds in its neglected condition. It reeks of the unmistakeable feeling that someone left here in a hurry.
The long building to one side is piled high with chairs and tables which are falling apart. Boxes are stuffed with paraphernalia from the past – menus, posters, painting sets. Around the perimeter of this place and on the walls of this structure there remains other chilling evidence of what it once was. The fading plastic banners forming the fence are still intact after more than five years.
Fri, Feb 28, '14
JAMAICA (from): Tamar Lambert (captain), David Bernard Jr (vice captain), Carlton Baugh Jr, Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, John Campbell, Sheldon Cottrell, Andre McCarthy, Jamie Merchant, Horace Miller, Andrew Richardson, Andre Russell, Jerome Taylor
GUYANA (from): Shivnarine Chanderpaul (captain), Christopher Barnwell (vice captain), Ronsford Beaton, Devendra Bishoo, Anthony Bramble, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Narsingh Deonarine, Assad Fudadin, Keon Joseph, Amir Khan, Veerasammy Permaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Vishaul Singh
WINDWARD ISLANDS (from): Liam Sebastien (captain), Andre Fletcher (vice captain), Alston Bobb, Johnson Charles, Lindon James, Delorn Johnson, Keddy Lesporis, Mervin Matthew, Nelon Pascal, Kenroy Peters, Dalton Polius, Devon Smith, Tyrone Theophile
BARBADOS (from): Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Sulieman Benn, Tino Best, Carlos Brathwaite, Rashidi Boucher, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shai Hope, Ashley Nurse, Kevin Stoute, Kenroy Williams
LEEWARD ISLANDS (from): Devon Thomas (captain), Sylvester Joseph (vice captain), Jahmar Hamilton, Montcin Hodge, Alzarri Joseph, Anthony Martin, Mali Richards, Lyndell Richardson, Akeem Saunders, Gavin Tonge, Hayden Walsh, Kelbert Walters, Tonito Willett
COMBINED CAMPUSES & COLLEGES (from): Steven Jacobs (captain), Anthony Alleyne, Ryan Austin, Kyle Corbin, Akeem Dewar, Kavem Hodge, Kevin McClean, Floyd Reifer, Raymon Reifer, Shacaya Thomas, Chadwick Walton, Jomel Warrican, Kesrick Williams
Thu, Feb 27, '14
No batsman entered a cricket ground with greater nonchalance or elegance, not even fellow West Indian Vivian Richards, whose majestic gait had a gum-chewing, swaggering arrogance about it. If Richards overawed rivals, inducing visions of the imminent decimation of their attacks, I imagined even as a young spectator that Garfield St Aubrun Sobers had a slightly different kind of impact on his opponents - more like inducing a sense of resignation, even reluctant admiration, for so often did he walk into a challenging situation and turn the game on its head almost effortlessly. Not only did his batting leave fielders gasping for breath in admiration, it sometimes elicited spontaneous applause even from the bowler whose deliveries he dismissed from his presence. And he was himself the first to applaud a worthy opponent.
Thu, Feb 27, '14
West Indies coach Ottis Gibson has distanced himself from the reckoning to become England’s new team director.
Gibson’s ambitions, or otherwise, to succeed Andy Flower apparently provided an extra layer of intrigue to England’s forthcoming series of three one-day internationals and then three Twenty20s against the Windies over the next two weeks.
England limited-overs coach Ashley Giles is considered the front-runner to be named by late April as the replacement for Flower, who resigned following this winter’s Ashes whitewash.
The outcome of the two series might yet have a significant bearing on England’s next high-profile appointment, especially with new managing director Paul Downton in attendance - having flown to Antigua on Tuesday.