Since the West Indies last contested a One-Day International (ODI), 83 days ago, the Caribbean side has undergone major surgery; which has seen them part ways with interim head coach Floyd Reifer, in preference of Phil Simmons. As well as, replacing limited overs captains—both Jason Holder and Carlos Brathwaite—with Kieron Pollard. As the men in maroon set out to tackle Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series (beginning Wednesday morning Caribbean time), they will do so having made six changes to the squad that was defeated 2-0 by India in August. The likes of John Campbell, Fabian Allen, Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Gayle, Oshane Thomas, and Kemar Roach among those missing out. Cricket West Indies announced the following 15-man squad to travel to India to face Afghanistan: Kieron Pollard (c), Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Sunil Ambris, Nicholas Pooran, Brandon King, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Hayden Walsh Jr., Khary Pierre, Sheldon Cottrell, Keemo Paul, Alzarri Joseph and Romario Shepherd.
Coach & Captain
Whether you were for or against the appointments of Phil Simmons and Kieron Pollard, the youthfulness of this West Indian team means that the narrative following their embarrassing display at the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup remains—this is a young team that requires time. Yet, by the way that Pollard (as a captain) has been “built up” by sections of the media, fans and former players, it seems that the Trinidadian is expected to make an immediate impact on the team’s results. The dilemma then is, how much time do you give the core of this team with a 32-year-old new leader? Or will we suddenly begin to differentiate between the duties of a captain and the characteristics of an inexperienced team.
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua - Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) have once again partnered to educate and assist regional cricketers, this time via a personal and professional development seminar.
This event will be held simultaneously in St. Kitts and Trinidad on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, where the Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup is being played. The seminar will take the format of two (2) segments during which various topics will be discussed with the cricketers. The six (6) Territorial Board Franchises who fall under the CWI umbrella will benefit from this event; Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands along with the two additional squads from the, Combined Campuses and Colleges and the West Indies Emerging Team, will all be involved.
Segment one focuses on:
Importance of Fitness & Conditioning
Nutrition
Concussion Management
Segment two focuses on:
The MOU between CWI and WIPA
Financial Management
WIPA’s Player Welfare and Education Online Platform
CWI and WIPA chose the CMI Super50 Cup as the perfect platform to access all the professional players to educate them on pertinent areas in sport that would assist them in making better choices in their personal and professional lives.
CWI Chief Executive Officer Johnny Grave commented on the seminar, saying, “This is a fantastic new initiative that will directly engage all of our professional players in subjects that will impact their playing careers. It will be a great opportunity for players to answer questions and hopefully everyone will end the day with a better understanding of how our professional cricket system operates. We are looking forward to hearing the players’ feedback and we very much hope that it becomes an annual CWI and WIPA event.”
Likewise his counterpart at WIPA, Wavell Hinds expressed his thoughts on the event, “As we continue to provide elite services to our members and the general player group, we are really pleased to be partnering with CWI in executing this player development seminar. We believe it will be of tremendous benefit to our players and both organizations and we look forward to continuing to equip our players to be their best selves on and off the field.”
With the West Indies set to begin their tour against Afghanistan next week, reappointed head coach Phil Simmons is asking regional fans to temper their expectations for his four year tenure. The first test for Simmons and the Windies comes up on November 6 against the Trinidadian's previous employers Afghanistan.
However, the 56 year old who is now back after being fired in 2016, doesn't see himself as a miracle worker and has asked the regional fanbase to have a little more patience as he tries to propel the team to the top of the world.
During his time away, Simmons had enough time to identify a particular weakness that has cost the team matches in one day internationals. Plotting the way forward has always caused a split of opinions and the subject of Chris Gayle's future in the team is one such matter but Simmons has no intention of losing such a prized possession. The West Indies play the first of three ODI's against Afghanistan on Thursday.
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua- India leveled the three-match Colonial Medical Insurance (CMI) One Day International (ODI) series when they defeated the West Indies Women by 53 runs in the second match, at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
Mithali Raj won the toss for India and elected to bat first on a humid day in North Sound. The West indies bowlers had an early breakthrough when they removed Jemimah Rodrigues for 0, handing Aaliyah Alleyne her first ODI wicket. Soon after it was Priya Punia who fell for 5 to Shabika Gajnabi. The young West Indies pacers showing their fearless approach to a notable Indian batting lineup.
Punam Raut and captain Mithali Raj consolidated the India middle order, posting a 66-run partnership before Raj was caught of Sheneta Grimmond for 40. But it was a lifeline given to Raut when Stafanie Taylor dropped a difficult running catch, which allowed Raut to go on and score 77. Together with 46 from Harmanpreet Kaur, the pair posted a mammoth 93 runs together before Kaur fell.
India finished their 50 overs on 191/6. Afy Fletcher was the most successful West Indies bowler, taking 2/32 followed by Aaliyah Alleyne with 2/38.
The West Indies batters never looked settled as the Indians got the ball to zip and turn on a pitch was getting better. Shemaine Camobelle and captain Stafanie Taylor top scored with 39 and 20 respectively after Natasha McLean retired on 15. Aaliyah Alleyne fought valiantly in the end with 16 to show some resistance against the Indians.
But it was not to be as Alleyne succumbed in the forty-eighth over to give India a 53-run victory and level the three-match series, with all to play for on Wednesday at the same venue.
Almost back to full fitness after an injury setback during the Caribbean Premier League weeks ago, side-lined West Indies all-rounder Rovman Powell is anxious to make an impact during the Regional Super50 cricket tournament.
And he has added responsibility, named captain of Jamaica Scorpions as they look to win the regional 50-over competition for the first time in over a decade.
The Super50 tournament is set to run from November 6 to December 1.
The Scorpions, scheduled to leave the island on Monday, will be based in St Kitts for Zone A preliminary stage action, pitted against title holders Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners, Barbados Pride, Leeward Islands Hurricanes and Canada.
