The West Indies Rising Stars Men’s Under 19 Selection Panel has named 15 players for a two-week training camp in Trinidad. This will form as part of the ongoing preparations for the ICC Men’s Under 19 Cricket World Cup.
During the camp the players will have five matches at the National Cricket Centre at Couva. Three matches will be against the Trinidad and Tobago Under 23 team while the other two will be against the USA Under 19 squad, who will also be participating in the World Cup.
The West Indies will again be led by Stepan Pascal and the squad includes several members who toured Sri Lanka for four-day “Tests” and Youth One-Day Internationals in August and September.
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Broward County Stadium in Florida is ready to host matches in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in June 2024, marking a historic moment as West Indies and the USA present the largest cricket World Cup ever. Cricket West Indies (CWI) President Dr. Kishore Shallow held meetings in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on 6 and 7 November, 2023, to discuss the progress and opportunities surrounding this global calendar event.
While the primary focus of the discussions centred on the forthcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup, parallel considerations of future plans were also tabled. This encompasses collaborative efforts to enhance cricket in both the West Indies and the USA. In addition, the prospect of sustaining a partnership with Worldwide Sports Enterprise (WSE) garnered a favorable reception from officials.
President Shallow expressed, “I am heartened by the enthusiasm displayed by key stakeholders in the USA. Broward County and the City of Lauderhill are fully committed, and collective endeavours are underway to ensure the resounding success of this monumental event.”
The non-qualification of the West Indies for the current Cricket World Cup isn't just a temporary setback but rather a symptom of a deeper, more chronic decline that has beset one of cricket's most storied teams. This absence in a major global tournament is a stark reminder of the issues plaguing West Indies cricket, a far cry from their dominance in the 1970s and 1980s.
Once the standard-bearers of cricketing excellence, the West Indies' descent began in the 1990s, characterised by administrative turmoil, financial struggles, and player-management conflicts. These issues have undermined the team's performance and consistency on the international stage. The team, known for its fearsome pace attack and charismatic batting, has struggled to replicate the success of its golden era, reflecting a systemic decline rather than a mere phase of underperformance.
The implications of this decline extend beyond the Caribbean shores. The West Indies team, with its flamboyant style and historic significance, has been a major draw in international cricket, attracting fans worldwide. Their absence from the World Cup represents a loss of this unique flavour in the tournament, potentially impacting the event's vibrancy and viewership.
Moreover, the West Indies' struggles have implications for cricket's growth in the Americas. Historically, their success has been a catalyst for the sport in the region, inspiring participation and interest even in non-traditional cricketing nations such as Canada and the USA. The team's current state will slow this momentum, limiting cricket's expansion in the region where it should have the most potential to grow.
The situation calls for introspection and action within West Indies cricket. Addressing the root causes of the decline, from governance, to facilities, to player development, is critical for the team's revival. For the global cricket community, the West Indies' return to form is not just a matter of nostalgia; it's essential for maintaining the sport's diversity and global appeal. The world of cricket needs a strong West Indies team, not just for the competition but for the richness it brings to the sport.
Trinidad and Tobago and West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales has been signed by Sussex for the 2024 English County Championship season.
In a release sent out on Tuesday, the club confirmed Seales "will be available for Sussex from the start of the season, until June 8, 2024."
The 22-year-old pacer was due to suit up for Sussex last season, but a knee injury curtailed those plans.
"As a young fast bowler, I want to expose myself to as many different conditions and challenges as possible. I can't wait to test myself in England and hopefully contribute to a winning start for Sussex in both Championship and T20 cricket."
FOLLOWING the Jamaica Scorpions’ disappointing performance in the 2023 regional Super50 tournament which saw them finishing eighth in the eight-team tournament, Courtney Francis, chief executive officer of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), says a debriefing session will be held shortly to find out what went wrong in Trinidad and Tobago.
“From a management perspective, we are very disappointed, and the players likewise. We now have to do the debriefing to get better information to see what went wrong. I’ve so far received some of the reports and I’m awaiting the coach’s report,” he stated.
The Jamaica Scorpions, the defending champions, were led on the field by West Indies T20 captain Rovman Powell and had the likes of experienced players such as Chadwick Walton, Nkrumah Bonner, Jermaine Blackwood, Fabian Allen and Sheldon Cottrell in their ranks. For Francis, this team, which had a wealth of experience, ought not to have performed the way they did, and the performance, in a nutshell, was just not good enough.
