PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – The Cricket West Indies (CWI) Senior Men’s Selection Panel today announced the provisional squad for the five-match Kuhl Stylish Fans T20I Series powered by Black and White against India which starts on Thursday 3 August at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad.
All 15 members of the provisional squad will travel to all matches. There will then be a 13-member squad for each match from which the final XI will be selected.
Wicket-keeper/batsman Shai Hope, and fast bowler Oshane Thomas have earned recalls to this format. Thomas played his last match in this format in Pakistan in December 2021 while Hope played his last match in India in February 2022.
Lead Selector, The Most Hon. Dr Desmond Haynes said: “The squad is selected with the next ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in mind. We are looking at various plans as we try to find the right combinations. As we prepare; we are looking to build a unit which we believe can do the job when we host the global event in just under a year. We have some match-winners in our line-up and we will look to have the right kind of preparation, starting here in Trinidad on Thursday.”
IS WEST Indies cricket in decline an adequate explanation of the relative performances of the West Indies teams over the past two-plus decades?
Is it not also important to factor in the improvements and other changes that have been occurring in other countries?
For example, while, decades ago, India used to open its bowling attack with spinners, it now has an overabundance of excellent fast bowlers and, along with that, batters who are now competent not only against spin but also fast bowling. Further, so have the strengths of the Indian economy and, with that growth, the increased availability of resources for needed cricket.
So, what is the state of WI cricket? The Jamaica Observer, in its July 1, 2023 editorial, stated: “The harsh truth, as voiced by West Indies head … Mr Daren Sammy, is that the loss to the Netherlands reflected the state of West Indies cricket”. Is this an appropriate assessment given the data reported in the table below, or is it an emotional reaction? While this table does not report on the performances of the WI teams in ICC tournaments, it also does not indicate that the WI teams’ recent poor performances in ICC tournaments are good reflections of ‘the state of West Indies cricket’.
Captain Kraigg Brathwaite has identified the next several months as critical for his beleaguered Test side, as they seek to recover from their series loss to India and prepare for the difficult tour of Australia.
The Caribbean side continued their struggles against the Indians when they went down 1-0 in the two-Test series last week, after losing the first Test in Dominica by an innings and 141 runs inside three days, and then watching as final-day rain forced a draw in the second Test in Trinidad, with another defeat a distinct possibility.
West Indies now face a long break from the Test format with their next series a two-Test affair in Australia next January, and Brathwaite said preparation during this period would be pivotal to his side’s performance.
“For sure, we’ll have some camps in-between. We’re going to Australia [who use] Kookaburra balls, so I think using those balls in those camps is important,” he pointed out.
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) today announced the new West Indies Women’s Academy programme with the first High-Performance camp scheduled to take place from 30 July to 13 August at the West Indies High-Performance Centre at Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) in Antigua. The West Indies Women’s Academy will feature an intake of 16 Women’s Rising Stars.
This marks a pivotal moment in the development of West Indies Women’s cricket in the region and a key step in the professional journey of the 16 players aspiring to become part of the next generation of West Indies Women’s senior players.
The West Indies Women's Academy programme will provide a long-term development and coaching plan for these emerging players with the opportunity to learn and train alongside some of the best coaches and mentors in women's cricket. This first West Indies Women’s Academy camp will focus on refining their skills, enhancing their tactical acumen, and nurturing their mental resilience to prepare them for the challenges of international cricket.
Scotland bowler Chris Sole will be joining the Saint Lucia Kings for the first half of their 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season. Sole is the first Scotland player to appear at the CPL and will be with the Kings until Bhanuka Rakapaksa joins the squad after the first five group matches.
Sole has played 38 international matches for Scotland, claiming 58 wickets in those matches and was a significant contributor to Scotland’s deep run at the ICC World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe this month.
The Kings have also announced that they have signed Zimbabwe international, Sean Williams as a replacement for Dasun Shanaka who is no longer available for the 2023 CPL.
Williams brings huge experience to the Kings squads having scored more than 7500 runs in his 238 international matches for Zimbabwe. A very useful bowling option, Williams also brings another spin bowling option to the Kings team.
