IN 1970, Trinidad and Tobago won the cricket championship of the West Indies. It was the fourth year that the Shell Oil Company had sponsored the event, which was the first-class competition of the West Indian territorial teams. In 1966, Shell began their sponsorship that became known as the Shell Shield, the trophy for which the teams were competing. There was no competition in 1968 because England visited the Caribbean and the logistics of the combination of the newly established regional league, plus the international Test series, posed enormous practical problems.
Before this, first-class cricket in the WI took place on an invitational basis between two territories or in an otherwise quadrangular or triangular knockout series, usually played in Guyana (then known as British Guiana). The reason for the choice of this territory for the competition was to hold it late in the year, October for instance, when the weather was favourable in the South American country. Additionally, it was before the start of the Caribbean cricket season between January and May, when players, therefore, could be turned into form for visiting international teams early the following year. However, it proved to be inadequate for preparation and not ideal for the development of young cricketers.
In 1964, an experiment was carried out to have a league competition. This proved to be successful for the purpose intended, ergo, the idea was sold to Shell who came on board. Thus, the birth of organised first-class cricket in the WI.
LONDON – Ace West Indies seamer Kemar Roach will play no further part in the English County Championship for Surrey, after picking up a hamstring injury last week against Hampshire.
Surrey said Tuesday the 33-year-old had returned to his native Barbados to recuperate after scans confirmed the injury, sustained on day two against Hampshire at the Oval.
Roach sent down 38 balls in Hampshire’s first innings and took no further part in the contest which Surrey eventually won by an innings and 17 runs.
“I’m gutted that my time at Surrey has come to an end due to a slight injury but I want to thank the whole Surrey family for the love and care they have shown,” Roach said on social media.
West Indies limited-overs captain Kieron Pollard has retired from international cricket by announcing his decision on social media.
"After careful deliberation I've today decided to retire from international cricket," Pollard said in a video on Instagram. "As is the case of many young persons it was a dream of mine to represent the West Indies team from the time I was a boy of 10 years and I'm proud to have represented West Indies cricket for over 15 years in both the T20 and ODI forms of the game.
"I can still vividly remember making my international debut in 2007 under the leadership of my childhood hero, Brian Lara. Wearing those maroon colours and playing alongside such greats has been a privilege that I never took lightly, soul in every facet of the game - whether bowling, batting or fielding."
Superstar Andre Russell made a one-ball ‘duck’, Sunil Narine also failed to score, while leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal shone with a hat-trick. But it was rising West Indies star Obed McCoy who snatched two wickets in a dramatic last over as Rajasthan Royals edged Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by seven runs in a high-scoring thriller here yesterday.
Asked to chase 218 at Brabourne Stadium, KKR got 85 from 51 balls from captain Shreyas Iyer and a 28-ball 58 from Australian opener Aaron Finch, but still found themselves with 11 runs required from the last over.
In his first outing of the new Indian Premier League campaign, left-arm seamer McCoy (2-41) then conceded just three runs and knocked over Sheldon Jackson (eight) and Umesh Yadav (21) to end the innings with two balls to spare.
Royals had earlier been galvanized by English opener Jos Buttler, who slammed 103 off 61 deliveries, while captain Sanju Samson belted a 19-ball 38, to get up to 217 for five off 20 overs.
The Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) in conjunction with title sponsors Dream XI out of India will bowl off the Jamaica T10 Blast competition with the Middlesex Titans taking on the Surrey Kings at 10:45 a.m. in the first match of a double-header at Sabina Park.
In the second game of the inaugural tournament at 1:30 p.m., the Cornwall Warriors will face off with the Surrey Risers.
The six-team tournament, which will feature 33 matches over 17 days, also includes the Surrey Royals and the Middlesex United Stars.
Several local West Indies players will be on show to audiences as far as India and the subcontinent, as the matches will be streamed live on the JCA social-media platforms.
West Indies Test opener and Jamaica Scorpions captain John Campbell will lead the Middlesex United Stars along with national left-hander Alwyn Williams and off-spinner Damani Sewell.
