The death of Australian left-handed international opener Phillip Joel Hughes has hit us very hard indeed. Seldom does this happen in our sport, even if practically similar situations could occur any time a relatively faster bowler is plying his trade.
That ball hit the back of Hughes’ head and neck, unprotected parts of the anatomy that are normally exposed when batsmen, despite almost total insulation in body armour, instinctively turn their heads away from oncoming deliveries aimed to their faces, taking those most vital body parts - the eyes off the ball.
In this case, Hughes hooked too early, swiveling past the ball thus exposing his neck and back of head, signaling this great tragedy for the Hughes’ family and latest for our cricket family worldwide.
There can't be a cricketer of any generation and of any standard or any devotee of the game anywhere on the planet who hasn't been moved by the death of Phillip Hughes.
The outpouring of grief after he died in Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital on Thursday, two days after he was felled by a blow to the left side of the head from a bouncer in a Sheffield Shield match, has been universal and heartfelt. In the words of Anil Kumble, it has "impacted the cricket world".
The anguish, of course, is more keenly endured in Australia, not just among those who were team-mates and friends for nation and state, but in every city, town and outback station across the length and breadth of that vast, prosperous and diverse country.
The West Indies left-hander converted his overnight 83 into 145 as the Windwards declared their first innings on 308 for five – a daunting lead of 199 runs heading into day three of their third round match in the WICB Professional Cricket League.
Staring at the possibility of their third defeat on the trot, the Leewards chose attack as their best means of defence, racing to 102 for one at the close.
St Clair strikes late but Jamaica on top PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Debutant fast bowler Daniel St Clair struck twice late on as Trinidad and Tobago Red Force clawed their way back against Jamaica Franchise, in their third round WICB Professional Cricket League match here Saturday.
With Jamaica cruising at 65 for two in their second innings on the back of a 42-run, first innings lead, left-armer St Clair removed the threatening pair of Shacaya Thomas and Andre McCarthy, to reduce the visitors to 92 for four at the close of the second day at Queen’s Park Oval.
Thomas has so far top-scored with 46 while McCarthy made 21. Captain Tamar Lambert finished on 20 not out.
St Clair, in for speedster Shannon Gabriel who is in the West Indies squad to South Africa, has so far picked up two for 25.
Luckless Barbados hit by rain again GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Rain once again turned up to jinx Barbados Pride’s already luckless campaign, allowing a mere 13.1 overs, on the second day of their crucial third round match in the WICB Professional Cricket League against leaders Guyana Jaguars on Saturday.
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – West Indies Under-19s and Combined Campuses & Colleges will form part of an eight-team NAGICO Super50 Tournament, starting on Thursday, January 15 next year in Trinidad and Tobago.
The tournament is being used by the Windies Under-19s as part of a long-term build-up for the next ICC Under-19 World Cup in 2016.
The Windies Under-19s have been drawn in Group “A” along with reigning champions Barbados Pride, as well as Guyana Jaguars and Windward Islands Volcanoes.
The CCC have been an integral part of the regional scene for the last seven seasons – but they are not a part of the ongoing WICB Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Tournament, following a shift to franchise-based teams.
They have been drawn in Group “B” next to the Jamaica Franchise, Leeward Islands Hurricanes and hosts Trinidad & Tobago Red Force.
The preliminary competition will be played on a non-elimination format with each side playing the others in their group once and two matches being contested each day at either the Queen’s Park Oval, the T&T Cricket Board’s National Cricket Centre in the central Trinidad community of Couva or Shaw Park in Scarborough, the capital of Trinidad’s sister island Tobago.
The top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals at the Oval, where the group winners play the runners-up from the opposite group in a one-off match for a place in the Grand Final on Sunday, January 25 at the same venue.
The Pride kick off the tournament against their national rivals CCC at the NCC on Thursday, January 15.
Kimberley - Andre Russell struck an explosive 50 from 19 balls and took three wickets as the Knights beat the Dolphins by 39 runs in their Ram Slam T20 Challenge match in Kimberley on Friday.
Russell shared in a 76 run partnership with top scorer Reeza Hendricks (69 runs from 50 balls), as the Dolphins had no answer for the late-innings onslaught.
