The hierarchy of the Cricket West Indies board is in town this weekend for a directors meeting, and just hours after its president Dave Cameron touched down in T&T, Guardian Media Sports sat down for a wide-ranging interview.
Just over a week ago, it was confirmed the West Indies men’s senior team will have to play World Cup qualifiers next year in order to make the 2019 tournament. Like every other fan in the region, Cameron admitted the board had prepared itself for this moment. But the occasion did present a chance for this interview to touch on several different topics, that all led back to the state of the game in the region.
For a president that has been at loggerheads with the players for much of his term, Cameron pointed to significant flaws at the administrative level in the West Indies that is partly at fault for the downward spiral in our cricket. He said, “While we have been able to put money into the pockets of the players, what we haven’t done, we haven’t transformed our administrators around what is required to administer a professional system, and that is where we are failing. We keep ‘blaming’ the players for some of the shortcomings but it is as a result of the shortcomings of our administration.”
WEST Indies tour of England ended on a low note as they were thrashed by nine wickets at the Ageas Bowl. Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy starred again as England rounded off their home international season with a thumping nine-wicket victory over a lack-lustre West Indies side at the Ageas Bowl. The fifth and final one-day international proved a somewhat low-key affair, with England already holding an unassailable series lead and headlines being dominated by off-field matters following Ben Stokes’ arrest in the early hours of Monday morning. Stokes, who was initially taken into custody on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm following an incident in Bristol before being released under investigation without charge, and opener Alex Hales, with his team-mate at the time of the altercation, each missed the fourth ODI at The Oval and remained unavailable yesterday.
The Red Force will take on a Caribbean Select XI on October 14 seeking to raise in excess of $1 million to aid relief efforts for our Caribbean neighbours who have been left in ruins by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
In a press conference held yesterday at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, the initiative was launched by the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) and Queen’s Park. The theme for the T20 charity match is called “Rebuilding the Caribbean One Over At a Time”. Tickets are priced at $100 and are available at National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) booths nationwide. Among the countries that will benefit are Dominica, Barbuda and St Martin.
The Red Force will be captained by hard-hitting Kieron Pollard, while St Lucian Darren Sammy will lead the Caribbean Select XI. The match bowls off at 7pm and containers will be placed at the venue for patrons to donate canned items and clothing.
LONDON, CMC – Opener Evin Lewis has been ruled out of Friday’s fifth One-Day International against England after picking up a hairline fracture of his ankle during his superb hundred in the fourth game here Wednesday.
The left-hander picked up the injury in the 47th over when he drove a full length delivery from pacer Jake Ball into his right ankle.
He immediately collapsed on the crease in obvious pain and had to be subsequently stretchered from the field.
Lewis made 176 – the fourth-highest score by a West Indies batsman in ODIs – as West Indies racked up 356 for five off their 50 overs after being sent in.
He slammed 17 fours and seven sixes to register his second career ODI hundred.
However, the Caribbean side went on to lose by six runs under the Duckworth/Lewis method, after rain ended the contest at the Oval with England on 258 for five in the 36th over.
Captain Jason Holder will also miss the final ODI at the Ageas Bowl as he returns to Barbados for the burial of his uncle.
In his absence, Jason Mohammed will lead the side with all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite expected to be called up as cover.
After a tumultuous few days off the field, England finally had some luck as they were saved by the rain at the Oval on Wednesday (September 27). After being almost out of the game at 181-5 chasing Windies' 356-5, a partnership of 77 in eight overs between Moeen Ali and Jos Buttler enabled England to pass the Duckworth Lewis Stern (DLS) target of 255 just before rain arrived. The teams never got back on so England had secured the victory by six runs on DLS method.
A quite brilliant 176 from Windies opener Evin Lewis had powered the visitors to an imposing total of 356 which England never really looked like chasing until Moeen and Buttler came together. Perhaps knowing rain was on its way, they played aggressively to try and get ahead of the DLS target. They timed their charge perfectly as England passed the 255 they needed on DLS one ball before the rain came. At that stage, given the home side still needed 99 runs to win, Windies were still favourites.
Buttler, left out of the Ashes party announced earlier in the day, finished on 43 not out from 35 balls while Moeen picked up where he left off in Bristol with a swashbuckling unbeaten 48 from just 25 deliveries which included six boundaries and two consecutive sixes over midwicket off spinner Ashley Nurse. Windies did not bowl badly but both Moeen and Buttler are hard to stop when in this sort of mood.
