As some would have us believe, West Indies cricket didn’t start in the 1980s. Nor was its popularity achieved by not losing a Test series between 1980 and 1995. A film was also produced that only highlighted the tremendous pace bowling of the eighties and nineties.
However, WI cricket made big strides from the time they were accepted in 1928 as a Test-playing region which combined the English-speaking islands of the Caribbean as one unit to engage their colonisers in Test matches. Before that recognition, West Indian people had developed a love for the game and through the efforts of these pioneers, the early Caribbean citizens improved themselves at the sport.
Excitement grew in the WI as time marched on and the realization that they were good enough at the sport to compete with the Englishmen and the Australians, the initial two competitors that battled each other for the Ashes. It was noticeable that the West Indian possessed a natural flair for the game which excited the staid, conservative character of the Englishman.
The first one they invited to play in their leagues at home was the late Sir Learie Constantine who lit up the playing fields of Great Britain.
West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman Joshua Da Silva says he is thankful for the opportunity to spend some time in the middle ahead of the side’s two Test matches against Zimbabwe beginning on February 4.
Da Silva made a well-compiled 100 off 149 balls as the Windies scored a massive 517 in their first innings of a tour match against a Zimbabwe XI in Bulawayo. The match was declared a draw on Monday after the West Indies reached 82-2 in their second innings after dismissing the hosts for 122.
“It’s always good when you get to spend some time in the middle in a practice game. I had fun out there,” the 24-year-old Trinidadian said.
Despite a valiant 34 from captain Hayley Matthews and 21 not out from debutant Zaida James, the West Indies Women fell to an 8-wicket defeat to India Women in their final preliminary match of the Women’s Tri-Series at Buffalo Park in East London.
Batting first, West Indies posted 94/6 from their 20 overs, Matthews top-scored with 34 (34) and Zaida James added a valuable 21 (31) not out. Deepti Sharma was the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 4-2-11-3 followed by Pooja Vastrakar with 4-1-19-2. India reached the 95-run target in 13.5 overs, with Jemima Rodrigues on 42 (39) not out and captain Harmanpreet Kaur 32 (23) not out. Shamilia Connell finished with figures of 3-0-17-1 followed by Hayley Matthews with 2-0-7-1.
It is heartening that former West Indies captain and batting great, Brian Lara, will be assisting Cricket West Indies (CWI) as a performance mentor.
CWI said the 53-year-old Trinidadian will be working across all international teams and with input into the West Indies Academy.
Lara’s new role will be to support the various head coaches in providing players with tactical advice and improving their game sense, as well as working closely with the Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams, on ICC World Cup Tournament strategic planning.
“Having spent time with the players and coaches in Australia and in discussions with CWI, I really believe that I can help the players with their mental approach to the game and with their tactics to be more successful,” Lara said.
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – The Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) Selection Panel today called up four of the West Indies Under 19 Rising Stars players who competed at the ICC Women’s U19 World Cup to the West Indies Women’s team. Allrounders Zaida James and Djenaba Joseph, wicketkeeper/batter Trishan Holder and fast-bowler Jannillea Glasgow have been called up as injury cover for Monday’s final Tri- Series match against India Women at Buffalo Park in East London.
Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry, Shakera Selman and Chedean Nation are currently going through a return to play rehabilitation ahead of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
CWI’s Lead Selector Ann Browne-John said: “The selection panel has included four Under 19 players for the final match of the Tri-Series as potential replacements for injured players. The four have been training with the senior team in South Africa since the conclusion of the ICC Women’s U19 World Cup.”
