Fri, Mar 20, '15 by RAY FORD
A pleasant 'March-Madness' Friday to you all.
I'm writing my little missive, well before Mr. Chris Gayle hits the winning run to power our West Indies to a semi-final World Cup berth. That will spare you the agony of agonizing about my invitation to your 'Chris Gayle' after-match party, at Club 333.
Folks, the 'will-he-or-won't-he' eleventh-hour agonizing over Mr. Chris Gayle's fitness, tells us a lot about the state and mindset of West Indies cricket. So desperate are we for a win, that the commanders-in-charge, are willing to sacrifice 'process', and the 'integrity-of-a-process', for expediency, and for a thrill. Folks, count me out. Keep your invitation to your after-match celebration.
I pity the reserve West Indies batsman, fit, ready, and rearing to go. And yet, he has to wait. Wait until we finish agonizing over the 'iffi-ness' of a batsman, who has not been fit enough to practise for the last two (2) days. I won't say that the honorable chairman of the selectors, and his fellow selectors, are men short on principle. What I will say though, is that they might be full - too full of desperation.
Notice who hit the winning run last night. It wasn't 'Boom-boom' Shahid Afridi. It was Shane Watson - banished to the wilderness to 'eat crow'; recalled; weathered the Wahab storm; and then in the end, 'ate steak'. Folks, count me out of this West Indies cricket 'March-Madness'.
Fri, Mar 20, '15
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – The West Indies Cricket Board announced today the appointment of Phil Simmons to the role of West Indies Head Coach on a three-year contract.
The 51-year-old Simmons was one of seven people interviewed for the post and following his eight years of unparallelled success with ICC Associate team Ireland, who he led to two 50-overs and four Twenty20 World Cups, as well as the Associates treble two years ago, he was the outstanding candidate.
“We are thrilled with the appointment of Phil and we believe he is the right individual for our team and our region at this time, so we want to welcome him back home,” said WICB Chief Executive Officer Michael Muirhead.
“Phil has a proven ability to develop players, while cultivating great team spirit and a winning culture. We have a number of young, talented players about whom he is excited to be coaching and we believe he is the right fit.”
Muirhead added: “Phil has impressed us with his understanding of the current realities of West Indies cricket and his ability to articulate practical examples and strategies of things that could be implemented within the team to improve performance.
“His independence of character and his resolve to stand up for what he believes in were also strong qualities that convinced us that Phil was best suited to usher the West Indies team into a new era of success.”
Simmons, who played 26 Tests and 143 One-day Internationals for West Indies between 1987 and 1999, acknowledged it was difficult to leave Ireland, but coaching the West Indies team was too good an opportunity to let pass.
“West Indies have a tremendous history and prestige in the game, and I am honoured to have been given this opportunity to be Head Coach,” he said.
“There is an abundance of young talent coming through the ranks and to be able to assist with the development of the future playing talent in the West Indies is fantastic. I can’t wait to begin and I am looking forward to starting work with the players.”
He said: “I am excited to be beginning this new chapter in my coaching career and to have the opportunity to create a winning culture.
“West Indies have a huge following across the World and I have great admiration for the passion fans show for our team. We are determined to give the supporters the brand of cricket and the level of success that we are all looking to achieve.”
Simmons’ first task will be to oversee the West Indies team for the International Home Test Series against England next month.
Fri, Mar 20, '15
The Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) has created the new position of Human Resources Officer and is seeking to recruit a motivated individual with proven knowledge and understanding of working in a dynamic environment such as exists at the BCA and at its subsidiary, Cricket Franchise of (Barbados) Inc.
The position of Human Resources Officer will report to the CEO.
This is a senior position which requires an individual who can develop, advise and implement policies relating to the effective use of personnel within an organization.
Fri, Mar 20, '15
New Zealand will revert to their previous top-11 against West Indies in their Cricket World Cup quarterfinal, with fast bowler Adam Milne returning for Saturday's sellout, knockout match in Wellington.
Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum gave a composed, relaxed 15-minute sermon at the Basin Reserve where he all but confirmed the 11 who took the field for five successive wins in group play, before Milne suffered a shoulder injury, would be restored.
video of interviews can be seen here
"I can sort of reveal it, but we need to have another look at the wicket. It's safe to assume, barring Adam Milne coming in for Mitchell McClenaghan, it will otherwise remain unchanged," McCullum said.
That wicket at Westpac Stadium is New Zealand's favourite, having won 10 of their last 12 one-day internationals there and beaten West Indies in all three meetings in 2000, 2006 and 2009. A full house of just over 30,000 is expected and a fine day forecast for the match that will end one team's hopes.
more at stuff.co.nz
Fri, Mar 20, '15
Fast bowling great Sir Richard Hadlee has given Jason Holder a ringing endorsement, saying he is impressed with the cricketing skills and leadership of the young West Indies captain.
The former New Zealand fast bowler was speaking to a packed media conference at the Basin Reserve yesterday afternoon.
Together with West Indies bowling great, Sir Curtly Ambrose, he was previewing the all-important World Cup quarter-final between the New Zealanders and the Windies scheduled for the Wellington Regional Stadium tonight, Caribbean time.
“I like the look of the captain Jason Holder he seems very calm for someone so young and someone carrying so much responsibility,” said Sir Richard.
“He has formed a good new ball partnership with Jerome Taylor and I also like the look of him as well. They give the West Indies attack something to work with at the top.”
He added: “It is good when you have someone (Holder) so young who can take the team forward. He is handling himself quite well.”
more at Trinidad Express