INDIA stand-in captain Hardik Pandya had some harsh words for Cricket West Indies (CWI), criticising the board’s travel arrangements. However, not only was the India team affected as West Indies players and commentators also had to endure a flight delay.
Pandya, who is filling in for captain Rohit Sharma, was speaking after the third One Day International between West Indies and India at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on Tuesday.
India are in the Caribbean for two Test matches, three ODIs and five T20 Internationals.
According to reports, India had a long wait at the Piarco International Airport in Trinidad after the second Test match on their way to Barbados for the first ODI.
“I think it’s time for West Indies Cricket to take note of it and ensure that when a team travels…we don’t ask for luxury, but need some basic necessities taken care of. Other than that, I really enjoyed coming here and playing some good cricket.”
Global host broadcast specialists Whisper will be the new production partner for the Caribbean Premier League, delivering 41 matches live for the Biggest Party in Sport.
The contract will include delivering world-class coverage of all 34 games in the Republic Bank CPL T20 and seven games in the Massy WCPL T20 taking place from 16 August to 24 September, across five Caribbean islands. This will be supplemented by daily highlight shows, insightful analysis and a range of creative digital content, taking audiences closer to the action than ever before.
CPL is one of the most watched T20 tournaments around the world and last year had a combined audience of over 720 million viewers.
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – President Dr. Kishore Shallow remains unwavering in his commitment to delivering a new era of governance reform within Cricket West Indies (CWI).
After a series of ongoing consultations with key stakeholders since being elected in March, President Shallow notes that the indispensable role of governance is a key element in reinvigorating CWI.
President Shallow said: “We have produced several reports on governance over the years and the regional dialogue on this matter has also been unending. The way forward is for all stakeholders to recognize that the reform effort is fundamental to the transformation and advancement of West Indies Cricket.”
He further added: “I am resolute, that if we are to achieve the desired outcomes and realize sustainable growth in West Indies Cricket, we must act with a measure of insistence and have a sense of priority towards the reform exercise.”
West Indies fast-bowling legend Michael Holding says the structure of cricket in the region is failing its players. He has also called for more transparency from the region's governing body, Cricket West Indies (CWI), about its financial affairs.
Holding, who was a guest on the Antigua and Barbuda-based Good Morning Jojo Sports Talk Show recently, says players across the region are opting for more lucrative opportunities in Twenty20 (T20) cricket leagues around the world instead of representing the West Indies because of the problems that exist within the structure of the game in the region.
"I think the system has failed," he said. "I don't know about the talent in the team right now. I wouldn't be able to tell you that the talent is what you'd like, but I know that the talent in the Caribbean has not faded. There's no way you can lose talent. It just doesn't disappear. But the system that we have now just doesn't bring that talent through, in my opinion, and also because of the fact that there's so much other T20 cricket going on around the world, where guys can earn a lot of money, so they disappear in that direction."
Holding, who has always been known as a critic of T20 cricket, recalls being disappointed to see how many players he considered of high talent playing for other teams while the Windies was touring at the same time.
"I don't watch West Indies cricket a lot now, I keep on telling people, I go on ESPN and I check the score, but I don't watch it," he said. "But I remember a tour of Australia some years ago where we had about nine cricketers playing the Big Bash (Australian T20 league) when West Indies was on tour there. None of them played for the West Indies, but they were in the Big Bash earning big money.
CLINICAL JAMAICA defeated Barbados by 56 runs to complete the double in the Rising Stars Under-19 Championship.
On a tense final day of the three-day final at Arnos Vale Stadium yesterday, Jamaica recovered after being bundled out for 87 in their second innings to send Barbados tumbling for 142 all out, with 10 balls remaining.
Leg-spinner Tamarie Redwood led the champions with four for 47 to end with a seven-wicket match haul while seamer Raneico Edwards supported well with three for 31.
Joshua Dorne top-scored with 34, opener Zion Brathwaite got 28, while Nimar Bolden and Nathan Sealy both struck 23 but Barbados never seriously challenged their victory target of 199, after losing their key top order batsmen.
“It’s a feeling I can’t describe. I’m totally elated,” said Jamaica head coach Terrence Corke.
“We have not won this in 10 years, so it’s good to get the double now. The last time we won the double was [2009] and now we’re winning it away from home. That’s a plus for us.”
