Media Watch News Topic

Fully vaccinated fans in Saint Lucia get the chance to watch Windies in second Test

GROS ISLET, Saint Lucia – A small number of fully vaccinated cricket fans in Saint Lucia will have the chance to see West Indies take on South Africa. Following the request from the Government of St. Lucia to explore the opportunity to have fans at the game, the Ministry of Health and COVID-19 Command Centre, in co-ordination with the St. Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) will allow entry of a maximum of 400 fans per day to the second Betway Test match at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, starting on Friday, June 18.

The key requirement for fans to attend is that each fan requesting a ticket MUST be fully vaccinated – with the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine having been administered on or before June 4. Admission will be free on presentation and validation of personal vaccination documentation and photo ID.

Tickets for all match days will be available today -- pick-ups started at 12 noon and will run until 7pm -- and again tomorrow (Friday, June 18) -- from 4pm to 6pm at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. The ticket office is located at the East Gate. It is the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that fans will be admitted to see the West Indies team in action on home soil.

Media Watch News Topic

Brathwaite insists Hope confident, upbeat despite slow return to Test cricket

West Indies captain, Kraigg Brathwaite, has insisted returning batsman Shai Hope is in a good frame of mind, despite a disappointing return to the Test area against South Africa.

The 27-year-old’s return against South Africa last week, however, was a baptism of fire, so to speak, as he was uprooted for scores of 15 and 12.  Hope, who opened in the first innings and batted third in the second, was, however, far from the only batsman who struggled on the day with the team only managing 97 in the first innings.

“Just like any batsman, it’s important how they are feeling.  He is feeling good at the top but I back him for whichever position, whether opening or number 5, I know he will do a good job,” Brathwaite told members of the media on Thursday.

Read more at SportsMax

WICB News Topic

Darren Bravo and Shannon Gabriel recalled for 2nd Betway Test Match against South Africa

GROS ISLET, Saint Lucia – The Cricket West Indies Selection Panel today named the 13-member West Indies Men’s squad for the second and final Betway Test match against South Africa, starting on Friday, June 18. The panel recalled fast bowler Shannon Gabriel and left-handed batsman Darren Bravo.

Roger Harper, Lead Selector said: “Shannon Gabriel has been declared fully fit and as someone who was the spearhead of the attack before, he has returned to the 13-man squad. With Bravo, we have someone who is an experienced batsman and gives us a quality batting option.”

On the upcoming match, Harper added: “The team now has to play to the standard we know we’re capable of. We didn’t bat anywhere near to our potential in the first Betway Test and we have to improve with the bat in this upcoming match.”