He's from the island of Nevis ? part of a twin-island federation
in the north of the Eastern Caribbean island chain. His name might
not be as well known as his compatriot Keith Arthurton, but Derrick
Parry is carrying out an important function.
Parry sits alongside Clyde Butts and Ezra Moseley as a selector
at the junior level of West Indies cricket. It is his panel that
has been responsible for selecting the runner-up team for the Youth
World Cup in Bangladesh, many of whose members have gone on to make
their debuts in regional cricket competitions.
West Indies vice-captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul has lost most of
his possessions in the catastrophic floods in his homeland
Guyana.
According to a report from Tony Cozier, the left-hander's home
on the East Coast was four feet under water. "I've been in contact
with friends and family and have seen pictures on the Internet and
there's nothing left downstairs," Chanderpaul said. "Everything?s
damaged beyond repair ? furniture, television, fridge, stove,
everything."
West Indies captain Brian Lara says the regional team must
approach tonight's game against Australia as a "do or die"
encounter to keep hopes alive for the rest of the VB one-day
series.
"It's very important, not just because it's the last crack, it's
important for points. We haven't had a win under our belts as yet,
we need to get some points and to get to the other two teams so
we?re playing this game as a do-or-die situation," Lara said at a
pre-match press conference.
Over the last several weeks, I have been very involved in
overseeing the maintenance/upkeep of the playing surfaces of
especially the five main soccer stadiums in Trinidad & Tobago,
among other things. Many might also know that I have a very vivid
passion for many other sports.
Except for boxing, which is normally indoors, all of the sports
that I have a passion for have a full outdoor presence while some
have both in and outdoors situations. What is out there now, in
most outdoor sports, in Trinidad & Tobago, and around the
Caribbean, is very scary and worrying. Indeed, it is so scary that
many dare, at their own peril, to try to get enough out of their
efforts to perform creditably at the highest levels.
West Indies' hopes of beating Australia for their first VB
Series win were dashed by rain at the Gabba in Brisbane but fans
could take pride in two standout performances in the match.
Opening batsman Wavell Hinds hit a measured 107 from 138 balls
(8x4), his third ODI ton against the world champion Australians and
left-arm pacer Pedro Collins continued to impress with a
three-wicket haul in just four overs. After the game, Hinds and
Collins addressed the media.
