Ignored by the controversy surrounding India’s decision to call off a Test Match needing 86 runs off 90 balls was the continued improvement of their counterparts. Since a 2-1 series loss against Australia in 1995, the West Indies have fallen spectacularly from their position at the top of the cricketing world. Players such as Clive Lloyd, Malcolm Marshall and Sir Viv Richards (to name a few) retired during a 5 year period which devastated a younger side in the long term.
But are we finally now about to witness a renaissance in one of the most exciting sides, historically, in world cricket?
First, here is a comparison of the West Indies’ performances in Test series before and after the Australia defeat:
1980-1994: Played 29, Won 20, Drawn 9, Lost 0
1995-Now: Played 50, Won 13, Drawn 7, Lost 30
NOTE: a mere glance at these stats highlights just how extraordinary a team the West Indies of the 80s and early 90s were. A potential future article could be a comparison of them and the exploits of the Australian side who snatched the mantle of ‘greatest cricketing side in the world’ from them.
Now, let’s examine the performances of the latter West Indies side further:
1995-2003: Played 25, Won 10, Drawn 2, Lost 13
2004-Now: Played 25, Won 3, Drawn 5, Lost 17
When you consider that these 3 victories came against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and an England side still reeling from the Pietersen-Moores debacle and it compounds the astonishing collapse of a great cricketing nation.
This barren period for the Windies includes whitewashes to South Africa, Australia and England and even the ignominy of a 2-0 defeat at home to Bangladesh in 2009.
However, a shoots of life have suddenly sprouted from a side under the captaincy of Darren Sammy boasting a number of exciting young talents to blend with some of the more experienced campaigners. Of course, we have been down this road before with the West Indies. Who can forget Dwayne Smith and his 93-ball hundred on Test debut against South Africa. One of the most naturally talented batsman in terms of ability to see and strike the ball, Smith averaged a paltry 16.22 in 77 ODIs for West Indies.
NOTE: As a comparison, in 201 ODIs Brett Lee has averaged 16.25 runs to go with his 349 wickets. I know who I’d rather have in my side.
Even now we still get treated to the ocassional exhilirating innings from Kieron Pollard – a man who 4 IPL franchises saw fit to bid the $750,000 for (for cricketing or marketing reasons I wonder?). Yet, Pollard has so far managed just 4 50s in 42 ODIs and has a T20 average of 12.33. Hardly the stuff that keeps fast bowlers awake at night.
But now, the Windies have introduced a core of youngsters who are beginning to perform consistently for them instead of keeping their place in the team on untapped potential. Among them is Darren Bravo, half-brother of team-mate Dwayne, who has drawn comparisons with non other than the great Brian Lara (incidentally, his second cousin). For a left-handed batsman who plays in a similar style to the Trinidadian legend, it is high praise considering his failure thus far to score a century in Tests or ODIs. Furthermore, one need only look at the number of Brazilian and Argentinian footballers labelled the next Pele or Maradona to see the pressure this can instill on a young man. However, an average of 40 and 33 in the respective forms is an encouraging start by the 22 year-old who still has time on his side.
Kemar Roach is another one who was drafted into the team at the tender age of 19 and has impressed the critics. Capable of bowling at speeds of up to 93mph, Roach made his international debut in the T20 match against Australia in 2008 having only played in 4 first-class matches beforehand. Finishing with match-best figures of 2/29 signalled the his vast potential. Thus far, Roach averages below 30 with the ball in all forms of cricket. Even more impressive, he led an inexperienced Windies attack in Australia in 2009, drawing praise from the likes of Ricky Ponting and Ian Chappell as a star of the future. Roach was also the man of the series the following year in Sri Lanka – a country known for providing slow and dusty pitches unhelpful for fast bowlers. A hat-trick against the Netherlands in this year’s World Cup aided him on his way to career-best figures of 6/27.
Devendra Bishoo and Kirk Edwards have both recently become regulars in both formats. Bishoo. a leg-spinner, has impressed many with his attacking style of bowling and has become regarded as one of the Windies’ primary wicket-takers. Even more entertaining is his post-match interviews! Edwards recently scored a dogged 110 against India on his Test debut to help draw the match: displaying a great deal of determination and grit in his innings.
Add to these young players experienced performers such as Shivnarine Chanderpaul (who, at 36, is still going strong judging by his recent century against India), Dwayne Bravo and Ramnaresh Sarwan and there is a core group of players to introduce an exciting new beginning for the Carribean.
Despite this, questions still continue to surround the team. The controversy surrounding the long-standing feud between former-captain Chris Gayle and the West Indies Cricket Board has long overshadowed their recent achievements (a summary of which can be found here). Indeed, this saga underlines the lack of professionalism still inherent within the Windies’ administration still seething from the pay disputes of 2009.
Furthermore, there are still question marks surrounding the worthiness of captain Darren Sammy’s place in the side. The skipper has failed to justify his selection as an all-rounder keeping Kemar Roach out of the side with a series of poor performances with the bat overshadowing his moderate success with the ball. However, a recent interview with CricInfo highlighted Sammy’s determination to instill a professional ethos, high fitness levels and more exposure to young talent in order to further his team.
Sammy has stated his aim being to reach the top 5 with the West Indies by 2015. After years of simply selecting their best player for the role of captain, maybe the English approach of prioritising leadership skills over talent (Hussain, Atherton, Vaughan and Cook in ODIs) may prove to be the correct one in pointing this proud cricketing nation in the right direction.
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Finally A New Dawn For The West Indies?
ByJoe Lobo
Ignored by the controversy surrounding India’s decision to call off a Test Match needing 86 runs off 90 balls was the continued improvement of their counterparts. Since a 2-1 series loss against Australia in 1995, the West Indies have fallen spectacularly from their position at the top of the cricketing world. Players such as Clive Lloyd, Malcolm Marshall and Sir Viv Richards (to name a few) retired during a 5 year period which devastated a younger side in the long term.
But are we finally now about to witness a renaissance in one of the most exciting sides, historically, in world cricket?
First, here is a comparison of the West Indies’ performances in Test series before and after the Australia defeat:
1980-1994: Played 29, Won 20, Drawn 9, Lost 0
1995-Now: Played 50, Won 13, Drawn 7, Lost 30
NOTE: a mere glance at these stats highlights just how extraordinary a team the West Indies of the 80s and early 90s were. A potential future article could be a comparison of them and the exploits of the Australian side who snatched the mantle of ‘greatest cricketing side in the world’ from them.
Now, let’s examine the performances of the latter West Indies side further:
1995-2003: Played 25, Won 10, Drawn 2, Lost 13
2004-Now: Played 25, Won 3, Drawn 5, Lost 17
When you consider that these 3 victories came against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and an England side still reeling from the Pietersen-Moores debacle and it compounds the astonishing collapse of a great cricketing nation.
This barren period for the Windies includes whitewashes to South Africa, Australia and England and even the ignominy of a 2-0 defeat at home to Bangladesh in 2009.
However, a shoots of life have suddenly sprouted from a side under the captaincy of Darren Sammy boasting a number of exciting young talents to blend with some of the more experienced campaigners. Of course, we have been down this road before with the West Indies. Who can forget Dwayne Smith and his 93-ball hundred on Test debut against South Africa. One of the most naturally talented batsman in terms of ability to see and strike the ball, Smith averaged a paltry 16.22 in 77 ODIs for West Indies.
NOTE: As a comparison, in 201 ODIs Brett Lee has averaged 16.25 runs to go with his 349 wickets. I know who I’d rather have in my side.
Even now we still get treated to the ocassional exhilirating innings from Kieron Pollard – a man who 4 IPL franchises saw fit to bid the $750,000 for (for cricketing or marketing reasons I wonder?). Yet, Pollard has so far managed just 4 50s in 42 ODIs and has a T20 average of 12.33. Hardly the stuff that keeps fast bowlers awake at night.
But now, the Windies have introduced a core of youngsters who are beginning to perform consistently for them instead of keeping their place in the team on untapped potential. Among them is Darren Bravo, half-brother of team-mate Dwayne, who has drawn comparisons with non other than the great Brian Lara (incidentally, his second cousin). For a left-handed batsman who plays in a similar style to the Trinidadian legend, it is high praise considering his failure thus far to score a century in Tests or ODIs. Furthermore, one need only look at the number of Brazilian and Argentinian footballers labelled the next Pele or Maradona to see the pressure this can instill on a young man. However, an average of 40 and 33 in the respective forms is an encouraging start by the 22 year-old who still has time on his side.
Kemar Roach is another one who was drafted into the team at the tender age of 19 and has impressed the critics. Capable of bowling at speeds of up to 93mph, Roach made his international debut in the T20 match against Australia in 2008 having only played in 4 first-class matches beforehand. Finishing with match-best figures of 2/29 signalled the his vast potential. Thus far, Roach averages below 30 with the ball in all forms of cricket. Even more impressive, he led an inexperienced Windies attack in Australia in 2009, drawing praise from the likes of Ricky Ponting and Ian Chappell as a star of the future. Roach was also the man of the series the following year in Sri Lanka – a country known for providing slow and dusty pitches unhelpful for fast bowlers. A hat-trick against the Netherlands in this year’s World Cup aided him on his way to career-best figures of 6/27.
Devendra Bishoo and Kirk Edwards have both recently become regulars in both formats. Bishoo. a leg-spinner, has impressed many with his attacking style of bowling and has become regarded as one of the Windies’ primary wicket-takers. Even more entertaining is his post-match interviews! Edwards recently scored a dogged 110 against India on his Test debut to help draw the match: displaying a great deal of determination and grit in his innings.
Add to these young players experienced performers such as Shivnarine Chanderpaul (who, at 36, is still going strong judging by his recent century against India), Dwayne Bravo and Ramnaresh Sarwan and there is a core group of players to introduce an exciting new beginning for the Carribean.
Despite this, questions still continue to surround the team. The controversy surrounding the long-standing feud between former-captain Chris Gayle and the West Indies Cricket Board has long overshadowed their recent achievements (a summary of which can be found here). Indeed, this saga underlines the lack of professionalism still inherent within the Windies’ administration still seething from the pay disputes of 2009.
Furthermore, there are still question marks surrounding the worthiness of captain Darren Sammy’s place in the side. The skipper has failed to justify his selection as an all-rounder keeping Kemar Roach out of the side with a series of poor performances with the bat overshadowing his moderate success with the ball. However, a recent interview with CricInfo highlighted Sammy’s determination to instill a professional ethos, high fitness levels and more exposure to young talent in order to further his team.
Sammy has stated his aim being to reach the top 5 with the West Indies by 2015. After years of simply selecting their best player for the role of captain, maybe the English approach of prioritising leadership skills over talent (Hussain, Atherton, Vaughan and Cook in ODIs) may prove to be the correct one in pointing this proud cricketing nation in the right direction.
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Submitted On July 14, 2011. Viewed 5 times. Word count: 1,088.
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Lobo, Joe”Finally A New Dawn For The West Indies?.”Finally A New Dawn For The West Indies?.14 Jul. 2011EzineArticles.com.24 Jul. 2011 <http://ezinearticles.com/?Finally-A-New-Dawn-For-The-West-Indies?&id=6424493>.
Lobo, J. (2011, July 14). Finally A New Dawn For The West Indies?. Retrieved July 24, 2011, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Finally-A-New-Dawn-For-The-West-Indies?&id=6424493
Lobo, Joe “Finally A New Dawn For The West Indies?.” Finally A New Dawn For The West Indies?EzineArticles.com. http://ezinearticles.com/?Finally-A-New-Dawn-For-The-West-Indies?&id=6424493
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Saturday, February 5th, 2011
In news that will shock nobody, the West Indies have announced an extremely talented side to head to the Cricket World Cup 2011 in the subcontinent. Like so many Windies teams in the past fifteen years, this squad holds an extraordinary amount of promise, but it is completely unsure whether they will even make it into the second phase of the tournament.
Joining captain Darren Sammy in the squad are names such as Chris Gayle, Dwayne and Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Shiv Chanderpaul, Kemar Roach and the returning Ramnaresh Sarwan. However, whilst this list represents a potentially outstanding core, the West Indies are likely to be as brittle as ever. Much of the problem stems from the problems surrounding central West Indian contracts, which seem to be less than assured, and have seen key players represent T20 franchises before the national team. Furthermore, a lack of comptetitive cricket in recent times, partly due to a washed out series in Sri Lanka, means that the Windies have had hardly any time to ‘gel’ as a unit.
Another prospective problem, as noted by cricinfo, is the recent form of key player Ronny Sarwan. Once a mainstay in the team, Sarwan has been out for a time with injuries and poor form. Although he is now over 30, Sarwan is still one of the key players, averaging over 43 in ODI’s. The plight of the team is further hindered by the bowling stocks, which do feature Roach, but also include the likes of Ravi Rampaul and un-tried Andre Russell (hardly names likely to make top batsman shake in their collective boots). It remains a mystery to me why Fidel Edwards and Jerome Taylor remain out of the side, but if you paired them with Roach and the fine spinner Sulieman Benn, you would have a very respectable bowling line-up.
These problems aside, the Windies could still prove to be competitive. It’s a tired clich, but on their day they can beat anyone. It is a long time since Ian Bradshaw and Courtney Browne hit the winning runs to give the Windies the 2004 Champions Trophy, but with the right amount of luck, and astute planning and selections, there’s always an outside chance that they could find themselves holding aloft a major trophy again.
West Indies Squad: Darren Sammy (cpt), Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith, Sulieman Benn, Nikita Miller, Carlton Baugh (wk), Andre Russell, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Shiv Chanderpaul, Adrian Barath
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Sunday, December 26th, 2010
Born in Pie Corner, Barbados on December 14th, 1938, Charles (Charlie) Christopher Griffith was no pie thrower, but the lesser partner in the Hall-and-Griffith new-ball partnership. According to Cricinfo’s Martin Williamson, “Charlie Griffith struck fear into opposition batsmen in the 1960s. Whereas Hall was an out-and-out quick, Griffith was slower, but he possessed a lethal faster ball which many were unhappy with.” One of Griffith’s lethal deliveries fractured the skull of Indian batsman, Nari Contractor, in 1963.
While Charlie Griffith was not as successful as his compatriot, Wes Hall, he left an indelible mark in cricket history- albeit under questionable circumstances. He was a feared fast bowler, yes, but many question the legality of his bowling action. Fans and players often suspected that Griffith “threw” his faster deliveries (as opposed to pies). In the 1960s, the television coverage of players was not as precise as it is now, but the suspicions lingered until Griffith remodelled his action. Unfortunately, he negatively remodelled his bowling returns as well. To demonstrate this, Griffith scalped 59 wickets in his first 14 Tests and only 35 in his next 14 matches.
Griffith made his Test debut for the West Indies against England at Port of Spain in 1960. He ended his career against New Zealand at Christchurch in 1969. During his nine years of international cricket, Charlie played 28 Test matches, taking 94 wickets at an average of 28.54. His best innings bowling figures of 6/36 came against England at Leeds in 1963. His best match figures of 9/81 at Test level came in that very match as well. Griffith took 5-wickets in a Test innings on five occasions, with four 5-wicket hauls against England and one against Australia.
In 1963, Griffith had an amazing year, capturing 32 Test scalps from only five Test matches, to earn the Wisden Cricketer of the Year award in 1964. It is interesting to note that he played most of his Tests against England and Australia. Outside of those two, he played India thrice and New Zealand twice.
Charlie Griffith is considered a ‘great’ of West Indies cricket by his reputation as a feared fast bowler and because of his effective partnership with Wes Hall in the 60s. Accusations of throwing diminished his impact and tarnished his reputation somewhat. Charlie never played First class cricket for teams other than the W.I. and Barbados, likely because of the suspicions of “throwing.” However he remains one of the icons of Caribbean cricket.
About the Author:
Darrell Victor is a freelance writer and cricket enthusiast from the West Indies.
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Saturday, December 25th, 2010
Michael Conrad Carew, affectionately known as “Joey” Carew, was a left-handed opening batsman for Trinidad and Tobago and the West Indies. Cricket pundits would not necessarily consider Carew a legend of cricket or even a West Indian “great.” However, he was one of the most influential former players- owing to his opinionated nature, role as a W.I. selector and influence in the development of one of the world’s greatest batsmen, Brian Lara.
Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad on September 15th, 1937, Michael “Joey” Carew made his First Class debut for Trinidad and Tobago in the 1955/1966 cricket season. He took a few years to gain the nod of West Indies selectors, making his debut in 1963 on the tour of England. He struggled in English conditions from the onset and played three Tests in five years. His fourth Test match, in 1968, was when he established himself as a regular opener. That match was also his first Test in the West Indies- a match that was played on his home ground, Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain.
After that, Joey enjoyed a successful tour of Australasia in the 1968/1969 season, where he scored his maiden (and only) Test century against New Zealand at Auckland. That century helped the West Indies to stay in that match and eventually post a five-wicket victory against the Kiwis. Carew played only 19 Test matches for the West Indies between 1963 and 1972. However, his last 16 Tests were between 1968 and 1972. Carew amassed 1,127 runs at a fair average of 34.15, bordering on good instead of great. He was also a handy leg break bowler who managed to take eight Test wickets and over 100 First Class wickets.
After his playing days, Carew remained involved in the game, especially as a member of Queen’s Park Cricket Club (QPCC). It was at QPCC that Carew oversaw the development of Brian Charles Lara, a fellow right-hander who went on to set the cricketing world alight with his batting talent. Carew was also a West Indies Test selector, a position he held on and off for two decades. He relinquished that role in 2006- when he was convenor of selectors- amid some speculation and mild controversy.
As a footnote, Joey Carew was part of the W.I. team that were bowled out by Ireland at Belfast in 1969. Responding to Maurice Foster’s notion that Basil Butcher, the W.I. captain for that ill-fated match, was a “submarine captain because he seemed to prefer batting underwater,” Carew cheekily noted that Butcher was not fit to captain a submarine. (Source: Cricinfo)
About the Author:
Darrell Victor is a freelance writer and cricket enthusiast from the West Indies.
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Tuesday, December 21st, 2010
Evolution of Cricket in Carribians:
The 1980s saw them set a then-record streak of 11 consecutive Test victories in 1984 and inflict two 5″0 “blackwashes” against the old enemy ofEngland Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, however, West Indian cricket declined, largely due to the failure of the West Indian Cricket Board to move the game from an amateur pastime to a professional sport coupled with the general economic decline in West Indian countries, and the team today is struggling to regain its past glory. The West Indies are currently ranked 8th out of the 10 Test playing nations, and 7th in the One Day International rankings, which likewise only cover the 10 Test playing nations.
Recent Decline:
West Indies have decided to cut short their current tour of Sri Lanka tour due to adverse weather conditions prevailing in the country.
The first two one-day internationals of a five-match series was scheduled to start today at Sri Lanka’s new international venue Hambantota but bad weather has prevented both teams from having a single net session.
Both cricket boards have agreed to postpone the one-day series and reschedule it for late January with three matches instead of the present five.
“The decision was taken with the mutual understanding of both cricket boards and our television partners,” said Sri Lanka Cricket in a statement.
Bad weather affected the three-match Test series which ended at Pallakele, Kandy on Sunday with the series shared 0-0. The third Test saw only 103.3 overs bowled.
Cricket Greats and Legends:
They always had some of the biggest names in Cricket, from Sobers and Richards to Lara and Walsh, West Indies have been represtedby some of the pure genius of this trade, but thigs have changed now, a team which use to be considered as favourites even before any bowl is bowled in the previous World Cups, is now no where near their past so it will be a huge tast for the young West Indiesside to pull up somthing special in the ICC World Cup 2011 Highlights
Only high that West Indies had in past few years was in ICC Champions Trophy, 2004 when it was the winner. Since then, there has been constant drop in its performance. This downfall peaked last year when its players went on strike owing to contract dispute. At that time it lost to minnows Bangladesh pretty badly.
Players like Gayle, Bravo, Pollard , and Smith do perform, but in patches. All of them need to fire at the same time to lift fortunes of their team.
The Sir Viv Richards Stadium hosted its first One Day International on 27 March 2007 for the 2007 Cricket World Cup and its first Test match on 30 May 2008. The stadium has a permanent capacity of 10,000, and is to host Test cricket instead of the Antigua Recreation Ground.
Four further stadia have been used for One Day Internationals, but not Test matches. The number of One Day Internationals played at each venue is in brackets.
The detailteam news for the West Indies will be available once it is officialy announced by the board, you can comeback here to get all the laters news and updates on the teamsand their preparationto the world Cup 2011
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Im a full time blogger working on several sports blogs, I hold a Bussiness Administration degree in Finance and Want to go abroad for higher studies.
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Saturday, December 4th, 2010
The series has been plagued by rain, and people have lost a lot of good quality cricket. Series has so far been disappointing, but the home fans would be happy, because Sri Lanka has not called last trip Colombo (RPS).
In fact, the first test, Sri Lanka has not crushed or defeated, they were a little ‘less than at the end of the West Indies test. We can say that so far Gayle is a threat to Galle, Sri Lanka did well in the series.
There is evidence of more to go, which determines what and where the team comes out victorious. can be repeated in series decider Kelle December 1 to 5 balls.Like all teams have turned their attention to the World Cup, Sri Lanka is no exception. It is understandable to rest your key players and focus on a format day, more Test cricket.
The weather played a role in frustrating the series so far. There is no doubt that the general conditions would be on the back of the mind Sangakarra. Sri Lanka Colombo dominated trials with both bat and ball. They left with destruction as their captain Gayle favorites and lead from the front. Sri Lanka are the favorites to win the finals this young team against new-look West Indies.
The West Indies showed patches of brilliance, but Sri Lanka is the most consistent team will have the upper hand in the third and final test.The West Indies arrived in Sri Lanka as the underdogs, but soon surpassed that mark after pressing Sri Lanka in Galle. They were largely dominated in the second trial, but with occasional brilliance Rooch Kemar, Darren Bravo and Chris Gayle have shown, the Caribbean may think they have a shot in the series.
Perseverance is your biggest problem, is a young and inexperienced so they can make mistakes if they learn from them. Batting should be harder to Windies batsmen Pallekelle and “would be under pressure to perform. Its captain Darren Sammy was an ordinary series so far can not help you if you are the team captain. Shane Shillingford, offspinner reported a suspicious activity and it is unclear whether he will play the final test or not.
Teams Are As Follows:
Sri Lanka (probable):
1. Tharanga Paranavitana, 2. Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3. Kumar Sangakkara (capt), 4. Mahela Jayawardene, 5. Thilan Samaraweera,6. Angelo Mathews, 7. Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), 8. Nuwan Kulasekara, 9. Rangana Herath / Suraj Randiv, 10. Ajantha Mendis,11. Suranga Lakmal.
West Indies (probable):
1. Chris Gayle, 2. Adrian Barath, 3.. Darren Bravo,4. Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 5. Brendan Nash, 6. Dwayne Bravo, 7. Carlton Baugh (wk), 8. Darren Sammy (capt), 9. Sulieman Benn, 10. Shane Shillingford / Andre Russell, 11. Kemar Roach.
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Sunday, November 28th, 2010
Richard Austin is a former Jamaican all rounder who played two Tests for the West Indies in 1978. Austin was one of those players who got an opportunity at the highest level without making an impact. Given the strength of the regional team in the late 70s and his involvement in controversy, he was unable to get a long run in the international arena.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica on September 5, 1954, the allrounder was first part of the West Indies Young Cricketers (now called the West Indies Under-19s) before making his debut as a 20-year old for Jamaica in the 1974/1975 domestic season. According to Cricinfo’s Martin Williamson, Austin could bowl either medium pace or off-spin.
Austin earned a West Indies call-up for the 1978 home series against Australia. On debut, he scored only two runs, although the West Indies inflicted an innings defeat on Australia. In the second match, Austin scored 20 runs in what was his second and last innings in Test cricket. As a young cricketer in the late 70s, Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket was an option. Austin was good enough to be a peripheral player in that setup. According to Martin Williamson, the WSC created controversy, which the Jamaican allrounder found himself caught up in.
Austin’s First Class record was decent, although not spectacular. The allrounder played only 38 First Class matches between 1974 and 1983. That his First Class career ended at 29 had a lot to do with matters off the field, including his involvement with the rebel tour to apartheid South Africa. That indiscretion earned him a life ban from domestic and international cricket. The absence of the safety net probably caused the Jamaican allrounder to drift hopelessly later in life.
From his 38 First Class matches, Austin scored 2,097 runs at an average of 33.82. He had four centuries and 14 half-centuries, with a career-best 141. With the ball, the allrounder managed 73 wickets at an average of 31.21, with a best innings bowling analysis of 8/71. Austin also played one ODI for the Caribbean side in 1978, in which he scored 8 runs and bowled one over for 13 runs.
After his ban for participation in the rebel tours to South Africa, Austin’s career and life went downhill. According to Williamson, Austin “became a homeless drug addict.” He was an unfulfilled talent-the kind that leaves one wondering what might have been.
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And now you can read brief profiles of some of the best spinners and fast bowlers that the game of cricket has ever seen:
The best spin bowlers in cricket history: http://www.helium.com/items/1516046-best-spin-bowlers-in-cricket
The top 5 fast bowlers in cricket history: http://www.helium.com/items/1518569-top-fast-bowlers-in-cricket-history
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Sunday, November 21st, 2010
In the early era of West Indies Test cricket, there were several white players in the team – descendants of the colonists. One such player was George Challenor. George was one of the first eleven players to play Test cricket for the West Indies.
The right-handed opener was born in Barbados on June 28, 1888. George was one of four brothers to play First-class cricket, but he was the only one to have played international cricket. He made his First-class debut in his late teens and for his native Barbados. By the time the Caribbean side earned Test status, George was already 39 years old.
He played his first Test just days before his 40th birthday – one of the oldest debutants in Test history. Despite his experience, Challenor scored only 29 runs (29 and 0) in his first match. The West Indies went under by an innings and 58 runs at Lord’s – the home of cricket. The Barbadian’s next two Tests yielded few runs, although he scored 46 runs in the first innings of his last Test at The Oval, London.
Like several of the older Test debutants, Challenor’s international career was brief. He played only three Tests for the West Indies, scoring 101 runs at an average of 16.83. In his six innings, he failed three times, with two scores of nought against his name. However, the opener was more successful and renowned at First-class level.
In his youth, Challenor had stints in England before and after he made his First Class debut. Overall, he played 95 First-class matches and accumulated 5,822 runs at a decent average of 38.55. Challenor was good enough to score an unbeaten 237 – his highest score at First-class level. That was, by far, the best of his 15 centuries. He also scored 29 half-centuries in his 25-year career.
Although the opener only managed to show glimpses of his worth at Test level, he earned acclaim prior to his international debut. He was even elected to membership of the Marylebone Cricket Club, according to Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack. Challenor’s legacy in West Indies cricket history is secure. Not only was he one of the first team to play Test cricket, but he was also the first West Indian to reach the milestone of 5,000 First-class runs.
George Challenor died in Barbados in 1947, when he was just 59 years old. Although his contribution might not be remembered by most West Indian fans, he was definitely a pioneer for the Windies.
About the Author:
And now you can read brief profiles of some of the best spinners and fast bowlers that the game of cricket has ever seen:
The best spin bowlers in cricket history: http://www.helium.com/items/1516046-best-spin-bowlers-in-cricket
The top 5 fast bowlers in cricket history: http://www.helium.com/items/1518569-top-fast-bowlers-in-cricket-history
.. more …
Monday, October 11th, 2010
Cricket offers much in the way of variety, particularly with elements of bowling and batting. Some batsmen appear to have more style and talent than others. Carl Llewellyn Hooper was one such batsman. His batting was easy and effortless; to the extent that he was often referred to as “Cool Carl”.
The former West Indies captain and middle-order batsman was also given the back-handed compliment of being referred to as the greatest under-performer in Test cricket. Although he possessed a good record and was a regular for the West Indies, several cricket aficionados felt that “Cool Carl” didn’t scale the heights that his talent suggested. His runs were often accumulated with style and elegance. Yet when he scored a few runs, he’d characteristically get dismissed playing a careless attacking shot.
Born in 1966 at Georgetown, Guyana, Carl Hooper developed into a dashing right-handed batsman and off-break bowler. He made his First-class debut in the 1983/84 season for his native Guyana in the West Indies’ domestic tournament. Hooper’s First-class career spanned two decades; ending in 2004. In that period, he played 339 First-class matches in that period- with good returns.
From his 339 First-class matches, Carl Hooper scored 23,034 runs at a classy average of 47.68. That First-class average better represented his talent and ability. In the Test arena, Hooper was only good enough. In 102 Test matches, Hooper scored 5,762 runs at a moderate average of 36.46.
Hooper’s underperformance can be noted that his average- after he came out of retirement to captain the West Indies in 2001- was 45.67. Prior to that, Hooper averaged only 33.76. His highest Test score of 233 was made after his return to the West Indies team in 2001.
In the ODI version of the game, Hooper played 227 matches and scored 5,761 runs at an average of 35.34.
Carl Hooper’s bowling was also very useful. He was an occasional bowler who’d be called on to break partnerships. By no means was Carl Hooper a genuine all-rounder- certainly not in the Test arena. In the shorter version of the game, he took 193 wickets with an economy rate of 4.36. Hooper still managed to take 114 Test wickets at an average of 49.42. Yet, Geoff Boycott referred to Hooper’s off-break attempts as “Lollipop bowling”.
Based on his talent and experience, Carl Hooper enjoyed stints in England with Kent and Lancashire. Although Hooper was a regular in the West Indies side, he was something of an enigma. He often appeared nonchalant and disinterested in the field and even when he was batting.
His underachievement was a real disappointment to West Indies fans. Also, the manner in which he ruled himself out of the team before the 1999 World Cup tarnished his legacy. Like the prodigal son, he returned to the game in 2001 and enhanced his legacy. Still, his international career ended in disappointment and a degree of ignominy when he was discarded for good after a poor 2003 World Cup in South Africa.
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Sunday, October 10th, 2010
One of the two “spin twins” who made their auspicious debut against England at Manchester in 1950; Alfred Louis Valentine was A slow left-arm orthodox spinner. “Alf” and Sonny tricked English batsmen and led the West Indies to their first Test and series victory on English soil. The late Lord Kitchener, whose calypso had the following line, “These little pals of mine; Ramadhin and Valentine”, immortalized them in song. Alf Valentine and Sonny Ramadhin had a long, productive partnership in the 1950s that cemented their place as the spin legends of the West Indies-a region where spin is almost a sin now.
Valentine was born in Jamaica on April 28 1930. The lean, bespectacled youth made his debut for Jamaica in the 1949/50 season. His impact was immediate, as Alf earned a call-up to the West Indies’ 1950 tour of England, where he made his debut in the same match as Sonny Ramadhin. He took 8/104 in England’s first innings and 3/100 in the second. Alf’s effort did not help the West Indies stave off defeat in that match, but it proved to be their only loss as Ramadhin and Valentine conspired to wreck England’s batting in the rest of the series.
The unassuming Valentine played 36 Tests for the West Indies between 1950 and 1962. He showed no love in dismissing batsmen 139 times for a Test bowling average of 30.32. Like Ramadhin he had an excellent economy rate (1.95), but a poor strike rate (93.1). That was no fault of Alf’s, since batsmen, particularly English batsmen, chose to confront him with their pads instead of their bats. It was a credit to Valentine that they were too afraid to play his deliveries-let alone try to score runs off his bowling.
Valentine played for the West Indies and Jamaica only-a surprise since his figures at international level were quite superb. However, he was also susceptible to injuries and illness. Valentine bowled close to 34,000 deliveries over 125 First Class matches (and countless more in unofficial games)-making it no wonder that he was often injury-plagued.
Although his effectiveness was stymied by injuries, over-bowling and the pad approach, Valentine remains one of three outstanding spinners in the West Indies, along with Sonny Ramadhin and Lance Gibbs. Alf died in Florida, USA in 2004-just 13 days after his 74th birthday. After being immortalized in song, it is unlikely that true cricket fans would forget his contribution to West Indies cricket.
About the Author:
Andre V is a freelance writer from the Caribbean. He is also a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Referees Association and an avid cricket fan.
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