ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA - Cricket West Indies (CWI) is pleased to announce the West Indies squad for the upcoming Home Series against South Africa, scheduled to take place from 7 – 19 August 2024. The series will be hosted across two venues, with the first Test being held at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago, and the second and final Test Match in Guyana at the National Stadium.
CWI Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to deliver strong performances: “We are confident about the team selected for this important series against South Africa. The selection process for this squad was led by our Head Coach, Andre Coley, pending the implementation of our new selection process, which will be rolled out in the coming days and articulated publicly shortly. This squad reflects a thorough evaluation of players' recent performances and suitability for the conditions we anticipate. We are confident that this team is well-balanced and capable of competing at the highest level.”
WEST INDIES Championship XI put on another strong display with the bat on day two of the warm-up match against South Africa at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, but the visitors fought back in the afternoon session to set up a keenly contested tie.
After Jeremy Solozano scored an impressive 111 runs on day one, overnight batsman Shamar Springer also showed mettle as he slammed 131 on the second day, to lead the hosts to 397 all out.
In response, South Africa were led to a stern 172/2 at stumps, guided by opener Aiden Markram, who slammed 82 before retiring hurt.
The stakes will be high when the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board stages its third 2023-24 quarterly meeting tomorrow.
Amendments to the Board’s constitution are on the agenda, in particular, the taking away of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Umpires’ Council’s (TTCUC’s) Affiliate Member status.
A two-thirds majority vote would be needed to bring this proposed amendment into effect. If such happens, then the TTCUC would no longer have voting power within the TTCB and could also be replaced as the body responsible for providing officials for matches in T&T.
According to the TTCUC, local umpires are expected to show up at the meeting to show support for their body.
In a release this week, the Central Zone of the TTCB — which is headed by Kellman Kowlessar, who is also president of the Umpires Council — outlined the difficulties it had with the move, stating: Our specific cause for concern is the reported intention of the TTCB to remove the Trinidad and Tobago Umpires Council (TTCUC) as an affiliate of the board as well as the intention to remove zonal umpires’ bodies from their respective zones. The Central Zonal Council as well as all zones within the country stand to be adversely affected by this surprise move, done without consultation and urges the board members to halt this process.”
Today, 1st August 2024, we stand at the intersection of history and aspiration, commemorating the centennial birthday of Sir Frank Mortimer Maglinne Worrell. This moment invites us to reflect deeply on a man whose impact extends far beyond the boundaries of cricket, touching the very essence of Caribbean identity and resilience.
In 1960, Sir Frank Worrell did not just become the first black cricketer to captain the West Indies team for an entire series; he became a beacon of hope and change. His appointment was a bold declaration that cricket in the West Indies would no longer be shackled by the chains of racial prejudice. Worrell’s leadership was a transformative force, a unifying call that echoed across our islands, fostering a spirit of dignity, pride, and excellence that lifted West Indies team and by extension people of color to unprecedented heights.
Sir Frank's tenure as captain was more than a chapter in a cricketing saga; it was a pivotal moment in our region's social and cultural renaissance. Under his stewardship, the West Indies team became a symbol of possibility, a manifestation of our collective dreams and aspirations. His ability to bring together players from diverse backgrounds into a cohesive, formidable unit taught us that, as a people, unity is our greatest strength.
As we honour Sir Frank Worrell’s centennial, we must also confront our current realities with honesty and resolve. We acknowledge that West Indian fans are not at their proudest moment regarding our teams’ performance. This is a time of introspection and recalibration, a time for purposeful collaboration as we trust the process of change.
The Trinidad and Tobago under-19 men’s cricket team had a disappointing end to the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Men’s Under-19 50-over Championships when they fell to a heavy 65-run defeat to Jamaica at the Arnos Vale Playing Field, Kingstown, St Vincent on July 30.
TT entered the fifth and final round of the competition in third spot with two wins and two losses, with their previous game on July 28 being a nerve-wracking one-wicket win against hosts Windward Islands in a low-scoring affair.
TT were unable to replicate the last-gasp heroics against Jamaica, though, who sauntered to their second win in the tourney.
Opting to bat first, Jamaica were restricted to 181 for nine, with lower-order batsman Odel Samuels (36 not out off 50 balls) leading a miraculous fightback with the bat. Samuels came to the wicket with Jamaica on 99 for six at the end of the 30th over, and he batted smartly with the tail to help his team score 82 runs in the last 20 overs. Samuels also frustrated the TT bowlers with an unbeaten 34-run partnership or the final wicket with Tamarie Redwood.
Andrew Rambaran (three for 22) led TT with the ball, with leg-spinner Aneal Rooplal grabbing two for 39.
Samuels appeared to carry his momentum into Jamaica’s bowling innings, and he grabbed figures of three for 29 to help bowl TT out for just 116 after 39.3 overs.
