Conventional wisdom, and much of the second Test, suggested that Pakistan would have wrapped up the series by this stage, and the mood around Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan's retirements would have reached peak crescendo. However, Pakistan crumbled in a tame surrender in Bridgetown on the fifth day, and West Indies levelled the series. As such, it is a different narrative that grips Dominica: can Pakistan finally win a Test series in the Caribbean?
West Indies are basking in the glow of one of their sweetest wins in the recent past, coming back repeatedly to overpower, and ultimately blow away, a team many expected to be too strong for them. Shannon Gabriel ripped through Pakistan on the final day. Several West Indies batsmen also made contributions under pressure, and they have now won two of their last three Tests against Pakistan.
However, no one knows which West Indies side will turn up at Windsor Park. Pakistan will be well aware of that if they've finally recovered from the sucker-punch of what happened on the final day at the Kensington Oval. Mickey Arthur's side, however, largely dominated the second Test, and were just a cracked pitch and frayed nerves away from taking an unassailable lead.
The World Anti-Doping Agency is expected to take a decision on whether Andre Russell, the West Indian all-rounder, should be handed a longer ban for breaches related to whereabouts rule.
According to a Reuters report, The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) dropped an appeal against the original one-year ban levied on Russell on Monday (May 8). JADCO were reportedly looking at extending the ban to two years.
"WADA has the right to take the matter elsewhere," JADCO Chairman Alexander Williams said in a press conference in Kingston. "That is up to them," he added.
Williams said that JADCO considered the legal opinion of Jamaica's Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte before arriving at the decision to not proceed with the appeal.
ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC) – Batting coach Toby Radford believes the emphatic second Test victory over Pakistan has provided a huge confidence-booster for West Indies, but says the Caribbean side must be prepared to start from scratch if they are to win the decisive third Test starting here tomorrow. The Windies lost the opening Test in Sabina Park last month by seven wickets but bounced back superbly last week to trounce the visitors by 106 runs on the final day at Kensington Oval in Barbados. Radford stressed that while the performance had been outstanding, it was important the Windies put it behind them and focus on the new challenge at Windsor Park. “Confidence has got to be very high. We’ve beaten them last week (and) it’s only a couple of months ago that we beat Pakistan in a Test match in Sharjah so the last few Tests we’ve played we’ve beaten them a couple of times,” he told reporters here before rain cut short a training session.
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – The Selection Panel of the West Indies Cricket Board has named a 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s World Cup from June 24 to July 23 in England.
Team Management Unit Vasbert Drakes (Head Coach) Ann Browne-John (Team Operations Manager) Ezra Moseley (Assistant Coach) Stuart Williams (Assistant Coach) Oba Gulston (Physiotherapist) Hector Martinez-Charles (Fitness Coordinator) Donald La Guerre (Performance Specialist) Trent Sargeant (Video Data Analyst)
NOTES Making their maiden trip with the squad are: Boyce, a 19-year-old wicketkeeper/batsman from regional champions Trinidad & Tobago; Joseph, a 16-year-old fast bowler from St. Lucia; Peters, a 23-year-old left-handed all-rounder from Grenada; and Walters, a 25-year-old opening batsman and part-time spin bowler, also from T&T.
On the composition of the squad, Chairman of the Selection Panel Courtney Browne said: The team is composed of a mixture of youth and experience. Performances in this year’s Women’s Regional Super50 Tournament along with the form of incumbent players over the last few international tours were taken into consideration.
On the inclusion of four uncapped players in the squad: The panel felt that we have enough experience in the side and that all four players bring a specific skill-set to the team. It should also be noted that all four players are products of our last training camp for emerging women’s players held last year. We also feel at this time that these players, although not as experienced, have shown improvement and can add value to our squad. We would encourage those that missed out to continue working and improving their skills, so that they can be considered for future tours.
On the return of left-handed all-rounder Shanel Daley: Shanel’s ability as a player has never been in question. She however, had some injury issues over the last few years. Those issues are now under control and our medical personnel, as well as Oba Gulston, the physiotherapist for the women’s team, will continue to monitor and manage her.
Browne also confirmed that all-rounder Shaquana Quintyne was not considered for selection, due to injury.
NEW DELHI, India, (CMC) – Darren Sammy said he still cares about the game in the Caribbean, but he loses little sleep about a recall to the West Indies team. The former West Indies captain said he had little regret about publicly chiding the West Indies Cricket Board after winning last year’s Twenty20 World Cup final against England, which was the final time he played for the regional side. “It is sad that my last international was the World T20 final,” Sammy told the Press Trust of India news agency. “I am still available for selection in limited overs cricket, but I am not going to cry over non-selection. “I am still out there playing in the different leagues around the world, if selected I am available. But I am not crying over spilt milk.” The 33-year-old Sammy had modest returns in an international career for West Indies during which he played 38 Tests, 126 One-day and 66 Twenty20 Internationals between 2004 and last year.
