England’s annihilation of a St Kitts Invitational XI in the first match of its West Indies tour was greeted with derision, bemusement and downright disgust by the UK press.
To be fair this wasn’t directed at the England players but at their opponents, who were described by veteran journalist Scyld Berry as “the weakest team that England have played in living memory”.

Berry also produced one of the greatest opening paragraphs of a cricket match report.
“England had waited a long time for this moment,” Berry wrote in The Telegraph. “After months, even years, of waiting and travelling around the globe, they eventually discovered a team that was much worse.”

England’s cricket team has been hammered from pillar to post over the last 18 months, copping an Ashes whitewash, a Test series loss on home soil and a humiliating early exit from the World Cup.
So you’d think a dominant performance on foreign soil would be greeted with delight by the travelling English media.
But you’d be wrong.
Alastair Cook leads his side onto the field tin Basseterre, St Kitts.Alastair Cook leads his side onto the field tin Basseterre, St Kitts.Source: Getty ImagesEngland’s annihilation of a St Kitts Invitational XI in the first match of its West Indies tour was greeted with derision, bemusement and downright disgust by the UK press.
To be fair this wasn’t directed at the England players but at their opponents, who were described by veteran journalist Scyld Berry as “the weakest team that England have played in living memory”.

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com
WHO CARES.

What's the worst that could happen ?
Get sued by a foreign cricket board ?


Like that could ever happen.

It's an embarrassment. Honestly, if you can't do something properly, don't do it at all. Time to bow out of top tier cricket.

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

But it was just like di Pommies in di World Cup.

West Indies have opened against some pretty shitty teams when on tour in England. Who did they want to play, Guyana?

This was still not the worst thing that happened in St Kitts the past week...that would be Carifta 2015

the tactic does not serve us in the long run, teams that have good first class games can employ this tactic, but we need to expose players to good competition .

In reply to Nemesis

It was better in person

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

That day is not far, when we will be the "practice / tour side" for major teams!!

Already, we are a practice test team for Big Sides before Big Series(es)

In reply to camos

I don't think it was a tactic. England played a SKN 11 before and it was a much better match.

I'm not sure I can explain why this one was so full of shyte

Link Text

Take no notice of Scyld Berry.Has always been critical of West Indies cricket even when WI cricket was top drawer. The pommie is an old fa*rt.

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com



was this the same press corp that criticized West Indies in the world cup only to make a swift and unceremonious exit before quarter finals?

these fackers got no shame, whe moutilicious dek, whe Ganga deh

In reply to pkriston

it is no different from WI playing Cambridge when we tour England,but I think we could make better use of the time,maybe use the occasion .

In reply to Cole

Does that ensure everything he says is wrong?

Let's face it this was an embarrassment that does nobody any good...not our young players ,not fans,not England.

It enhances Dave s reputation though
...were these sir Clive Lloyd's future greats?

In reply to camos

West Indies haven't played Cambridge since 1957...- and that Cambridge team included E R Dexter and was not as pathetic as st kitts.

In reply to Ninetenjack

Nope...it's you fackers ( what the fuck is a facker?) that don't realise how West Indies cricket is being dragged into disrepute slowly but surely.

We are in no position to embarrass touring teams.

Soon Wycliffe will have no one to play.


In the second match England are playing against themselves because st kitts have failed to provide an appropriate team...

Trott out to Anderson.

In reply to doublecentury

In reply to Cole

So if he says you are smart that would be wrong?

In reply to Arawak
Listen, our board did not want to spend money flying players into St. Kitts.lol.. trust me, that's the reason, so they just used anyone who was already there or very close by

In reply to jballer84
They could have put together a Leeward Islands team those players badly need exposure.

In reply to jballer84

you are correct! On the other hand, they will spend money on 5 star hotels and first travel for their admins!

They also have shown no interest in developing the emerging talents in the WI. Else, they would have used this opportunity to put together an "A" team so the young talents can have some exposure!

quite right googley...if the wicb was planning for the future an S team would be playing today.

In reply to doublecentury

WI may not have played Cambridge since '57 but other touring teams have and minor counties teams.

In reply to denoke
Leewards!! Got to be kidding. An A or B team of the best outside the 20 is what they should have provided.

It is a matter of laziness and poor planning, the WICB should have assembled a Combine Islands team, give the guys some exposure to international players, WI cricket is in a bad condition, they should take the opportunity to benefits from all situations by giving the regional players exposure.

In reply to pkriston

Good one!

I think they should have included more experienced players in the squad. What happened to Hamilton, the Willetts? Half of the squad have no FC experience. Would have been nice to see Cornwall in the mix but I know how Antigua and St.Kitts stay.

In reply to voiceofreason

I think they generally wanted to give local players a 'do'. A few leeward island players including Hamilton were in the stands yesterday watching the match. I think that proves they could have played if they were wanted.

I would have played a WI A team or a WI under 23 team to give the youngsters exposure.

WI U19 team in ah camp right now.. should have played them instead

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

should have played the A team instead