Cricket West Indies (CWI) is standing by its decision to appoint Englishman, Richard Pybus interim Head Coach of the WINDIES Men's team.
Following a meeting of the Board of Directors on Thursday, January 17, the organization affirmed that the appointment of Pybus was made with the support of more than two-thirds of its board to ensure the team had strong leadership ahead of the busy cricket season this year.
Pybus, who was the architect of the West Indies trifecta of 2016 World Cup titles (World T20, Women's World T20 and Under-19 World Cup) while serving as WINDIES cricket director, leads the technical team for the upcoming visit of England, the Triangular Series in Ireland, the 2019 Cricket World Cup (CWC), and the visit of India in July and August. During this interim period, Pybus’ tour of duty in the demanding months ahead will be supported by a technical team, which includes some of the game’s leading experts from within the region and around the globe.
CWI advised that the decision to appoint the coach had been further reviewed and approved by the Corporate Governance, and Audit Risk and Compliance Committees.
Recent public charges leveled at the sporting body by an objecting board director have now been referred to the governing body’s Ethics Committee for review.
ST GEORGE'S, Grenada (CMC) — Veteran opener Devon Smith continued his domination at first class level, stroking his 36th hundred as Windward Islands Volcanoes kept under-pressure Jamaica Scorpions in the field all day on the opening day of their fifth-round match here yesterday.
The 37-year-old hit a superb 124 which steered the hosts to 263 for six in their first innings, after they were inserted at the Grenada National Stadium.
Kavem Hodge extended his good form with 56 while wicketkeeper Denis Smith ended the day unbeaten on 36.
Left-arm spinner Dennis Bulli led the attack in the absence of veteran Nikita Miller, claiming five for 94.
With 13 wickets falling on the day, the Hurricanes finished 139 runs behind the Jaguars’ modest first-innings total.
Pacers Keemo Paul and Clinton Pestano, along with left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul, pegged the tourists back on a pitch that occasionally played a few tricks, claiming the scalps of Kieran Powell, Montcin Hodge and Keacy Carty.
Earlier, a combination of poor strokes and excellent spin bowling sparked a Jaguars collapse, with the home side sliding from 148-4 to 196 all out. Off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall took 4-70 and fellow slow bowler Damion Jacobs 3-15 as the four-time defending champions lost their last six wickets for 48 runs. Watched by another disappointing turnout of spectators, Jaguars, after winning the toss and deciding to bat, made two changes. They replaced left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie with leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo while all-rounder Christopher Barnwell came in for West Indies selectee Shimron Hetmyer.
Pride vs Red Force
The supporter clad in red, white and black, walked up the towering stairs of the Brian Lara Cricket Academy with tremendous Pride after the Red Force won its last clash against the Jamaican Scorpions last week in Kingston, Jamaica. The same man was left flat in his seat by the end of the second session of play on the first day, as his beloved team had crashed to 145 for eight against the Barbados Pride on the opening day of their fourth round West Indies Four-day clash in Tarouba, San Fernando yesterday.
At the break, Yannic Carriah was leading the fight on 23 not out off 85 deliveries with two fours. A number of T&T batsmen got starts but gave away their wickets after looking set. Skipper Denesh Ramdin made 19, Jeremy Solozano 20, Khary Pierre 15 and Kyle Hope 15.
The bowler doing the damage for Barbados was Kevin Stoute, who had 4 for 29 at the break. Opening bowler Marquino Mindley was also good and took 2 for 32.
Earlier, Ramdin won the toss for the first time in First Class cricket at this venue and immediately decided to take the first strike.
With Red Force batting at the ground for the first time in any First Class cricket match, saw openers Kyle Hope and Jeremy Solozano starting off well. They were together for the first 46 minutes of play, and life was looking good for the Red Force men.
The former chairman of CARICOM's sub-committee on cricket, Grenada's Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell, has given a vote of no-confidence in the leadership of Cricket West Indies (CWI) president, Dave Cameron.
Speaking on Starcom Network's 'Mason and Guest' cricket show, the veteran Grenada leader said while he had no personal issues with Cameron, the CWI top administrator's management style left a lot to be desired.
Cameron is going for a fourth successive term as CWI president at elections set for March.
"I don't have any problem with Dave Cameron as a person. We had a very good relationship, but as far as his management style of West Indies cricket [is concerned], I don't have a lot of respect for it, so I don't think my position on that has changed," said Mitchell, who has clashed with Cameron in the past over his handling of issues in West Indies cricket.
"I think he sometimes takes it personally, but it's not to do with Dave the person by itself, it's his leadership of West Indies cricket that I have problems with, and I would not be able to change my position on that particular issue.
AZIM Bassarath was yesterday re-elected for his fourth term as president of the TT Cricket Board, after elections were finally held at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain, Couva. Bassarath defeated his only challenger Dinanath Ramnarine 31-13 and will control the TTCB for the next three years.
The elections had been hold since October 2016 owing to an injuction, as several National League representatives took the TTCB executive to court.
Ramnarine and former TT captain Daren Ganga have been battling with the TTCB over the last few years over the board's constitution and its operations. The pair has been advocating for a one club-one vote policy, term limits for the president and the removal of 12 outgoing votes enjoyed by the incumbent.
In other election results yesterday, Arjoon Ramlal, Kerwin John and Parasram Singh were voted in as first vice president, second vice president and third vice president respectively. They all went up unopposed. Th trio replaces former 1st vice president Dr Allen Sammy, Lalman Kowlessar (second) and deceased Patrick Rampersad who was the third vice president.
One of the leading British publications has hailed legendary late Barbados and West Indies fast bowler, Malcolm Marshall, as the greatest fast bowler of all time.
The Daily Telegraph, under the headline "Memories of Marshall stir in Barbados", described Marshall as the best of the best as in an era when "West Indies ruled game".
Writing in his daily dispatch, veteran writer Scyld Berry noted: "Marshall is widely regarded as the best fast bowler ever. Of all pacemen, only Allan Davidson of Australia has taken 100 wickets for a lower average than Marshall who took 376 at 20.9 each. In Marshall's first decade in the side (1977-1987) West Indies lost three Tests and were world champions".
Berry is a former Editor of Wisden Cricket Almanack and is among the most respected writers in the modern game. He visited Marshall's grave at the St Bartholomew Church in the southern parish of Christ Church to recount several memories.
Marshall died in Barbados on November 4, 1999 at the age of 41 after a battle with colon cancer.
"England had the first practice of their West Indian tour at the 3Ws Oval on the university campus at Cave Hill, where they will have four days of match practice ahead of the first Test starting a week on Wednesday," Berry added.
