WICB Media Release.

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – The West Indies Cricket Board has advised that it has approved a few changes to match venues and have updated a number of appointments of officials for the remaining matches in the WICB Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Tournament.

The Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua has been identified to stage Leeward Islands Hurricanes’ next two home matches, when they face Guyana Jaguars in the sixth round, starting on Friday, February 13, and Windward Islands Volcanoes in the seventh round, starting a week later.

The Hurricanes however, will confirm the venues at a later date for their final two home matches, when they meet Barbados Pride for the return match in the eighth round, starting on Friday, March 6, a week before the Jamaica Franchise come calling for the penultimate round.

The National Cricket Centre in Trinidad will be the venue for Trinidad & Tobago Red Force’s final two home matches, when they host the Volcanoes in the eighth round, starting on Friday, March 8, and the Hurricanes in the last round, starting on Friday, March 20.

On the umpiring side, the elevation of Joel Wilson to the panel of officials for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in Australia and New Zealand has meant that replacements have had to be identified for three of the upcoming matches.

First, Gregory Brathwaite will join Christopher Taylor, when the Jamaica Franchise host Guyana Jaguars in the fifth round of matches, starting this Friday at Sabina Park; secondly, Patrick Gustard will work with Brathwaite, when the Hurricanes and the Jaguars duke it out next weekend in Antigua; and finally, Wilson’s compatriot Peter Nero stands with Sri Lankan exchange umpire Raveendra Wimalasiri for the eighth round match between Red Force and Volcanoes.

Wimalasiri is one of two exchange umpires that will be working matches over the final two months of the tournament. Steve O’Shaughnessy of England is the other.

Wimalasiri will stand in two other matches: He will form a neutral pair with Leslie Reifer Jr for the match between the Hurricanes and the Jamaica Franchise in Antigua, and completes his assignment, standing alongside Danesh Ramdhanie, when Red Force and Hurricanes confront each other in the final round.

O’Shaughnessy is scheduled to stand with: Reifer, when the Pride clash with the Hurricanes in the fifth round this weekend at Kensington Oval; Zahid Bassarath, when the Volcanoes meet the Jamaica Franchise for the sixth round next weekend at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex; and Brathwaite, when the Pride tackle the Jaguars in the seventh round the following weekend at Kensington Oval.

OFFICIAL POINTS STANDINGS

(After the fourth round)

Following are the Official Points Standings after the fourth round of matches in the WICB Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Tournament ended on Monday, December 8, 2014.

Abbreviations: Pts-total points, M-matches, W-won, L-lost, T-tied, I-incomplete match, A-abandoned match, DP-Abandoned match due to dangerous pitch, MR-match referee awarding match, Bat-batting points, Bowl-bowling points

RESULTS OF MATCHES

Round 1

November 14 to 17

Jamaica Franchise beat Windwards Volcanoes by 13 runs – Sabina Park

T&T Red Force drew with Barbados Pride – Queen’s Park Oval

Guyana Jaguars beat Leewards Hurricanes by an innings and 10 runs – Guyana National Stadium

Round 2

November 21 to 24

Guyana Jaguars beat Windwards Volcanoes by 92 runs – Guyana National Stadium

Leewards Hurricanes lost to T&T Red Force by 6 wickets – Warner Park

Barbados Pride drew with Jamaica Franchise – Windward Sports Club

Round 3

November 28 to December 1

Windwards Volcanoes beat Leewards Hurricanes by 9 wickets – Grenada National Stadium

Guyana Jaguars lost to Barbados Pride by 2 runs – Guyana National Stadium

T&T Red Force lost to Jamaica Franchise by 37 runs – Queen’s Park Oval

Round 4

December 5 to 8

Windwards Volcanoes lost to Barbados Pride by 11 runs – Arnos Vale Sports Complex

Jamaica Franchise beat Leewards Hurricanes by 4 wickets – Sabina Park

T&T Red Force lost to Guyana Jaguars by an innings and 60 runs – Queen’s Park Oval

REMAINING MATCHES

(Home teams mentioned first; all matches start at 10 a.m. local time)

Round 5

February 6 to 9

Jamaica Franchise vs Guyana Jaguars – Sabina Park

Windwards Volcanoes vs T&T Red Force – Beausejour Cricket Ground

Barbados Pride vs Leewards Hurricanes – Kensington Oval

Round 6

February 13 to 16

Windwards Volcanoes vs Jamaica Franchise – Arnos Vale Sports Complex

Barbados Pride vs T&T Red Force – Kensington Oval

Leewards Hurricanes vs Guyana Jaguars – Vivian Richards Cricket Ground

Round 7

February 20 to 23

Leewards Hurricanes vs Windwards Volcanoes – Vivian Richards Cricket Ground

Barbados Pride vs Guyana Jaguars – Kensington Oval

Jamaica Franchise vs T&T Red Force – Sabina Park

* * * BREAK * * *

Round 8

March 6 to 9

T&T Red Force vs Windwards Volcanoes – National Cricket Centre

Guyana Jaguars vs Jamaica Franchise – Guyana National Stadium

Leewards Hurricanes vs Barbados Pride – To be confirmed

Round 9

March 13 to 16

Barbados Pride vs Windwards Volcanoes – Kensington Oval

Leewards Hurricanes vs Jamaica Franchise – To be confirmed

Guyana Jaguars vs T&T Red Force – Guyana National Stadium

Round 10

March 20 to 23

Windwards Volcanoes vs Guyana Jaguars – Windsor Park

T&T Red Force vs Leewards Hurricanes – National Cricket Centre

Jamaica Franchise vs Barbados Pride – Sabina Park

WICB Media Release.

Trinidad & Tobago Newsday article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - “Don't be too hard on the Trinidad and Tobago players as they battle against mounting odds for survival in the West Indies Cricket Board Professional Cricket League on the weekend.”

That is the overriding sentiment of outspoken cricket enthusiast and former national youth player, Lester Cassimy, who spoke yesterday on the challenges facing the national team and local cricket as a whole.

The Trinidad and Tobago Red Force will start their round five clash away to the Windward Islands Volcanoes at Gros Islet, St Lucia tomorrow, lying fifth in the six-team standings on 24 points, and in danger of being eliminated from contention for a place in the semi-finals. 

Generally dismal batting has been seen by most experts as the main cause of the team’s present predicament. Cassimy agrees, but he believes more should have been done to ensure that all or most of the country’s proven batsmen were available and playing for the red, white and black in the regional championship. 

“(Adrian) Barath should be there. A good player, a very good player. He’s not there because he has failed consistently.” Cassimy did not volunteer any suggestions as to what Barath’s problems might be or what could have been done to assist the discarded Test opener, but he was more vocal on other players.

The young left-handed opening batsman Evin Lewis has endured the worst season in his brief but brilliant career, repeatedly getting out very early in his innings. Cassimy claims that Lewis had been showing signs last year of “mental fatigue,” and the opener should have been rested before the season resumes. 

Cassimy also noted the inconsistency of the more experienced Jason Mohammed, a player who he openly admires. In spite of his brilliant unbeaten match-winning innings of 117 in the Super 50 final, Mohammed has performed below par. In the four rounds of the league played thus far, the T&T vice-captain has, more often than not, lost his wicket to the quicker bowlers. 

Cassimy admits that Jason does not “turn up” consistently when the pace is on, but he counters that the problem of batting collapses in the face of genuine fast-bowling is a “traditional” one for Trinidad and Tobago. Of greater concern to Cassimy than the individual problems of the available players is the fact that the country’s internationally recognised batsmen have not been available and continue to be missing in action for the Red Force. 

Test batsman Darren Bravo did play in a couple of games late last year, without exactly setting the tournament alight; he is missing once more. His elder brother Dwayne and the power-hitting Kieron Pollard led from the front in the team’s successful Sagicor Super 50 campaign, but while they would suit up for their local club, Queen’s Park, they are not in Gros Islet with the national team. Indeed, Pollard and Bravo senior were in Kingston yesterday for today’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Draft. 

Cassimy is convinced that Bravo’s presence in particular would have significantly enhanced the Red Force’s challenge for honours in the league. “Bravo has been performing. He has four parts to his game, because (apart from batting, bowling and fielding) he brings a dynamism, a joie de vivre to cricket that’s infectious.” 

As for the relatively low scores the two all-rounders have produced in the Super 50 tournament and in South Africa with the West Indies, he points to the roles they are asked to play in the shortened forms of the game, coming in most of the time with overs running out and quick runs being the priority. “Their job is to finish. You cannot measure their averages based on the frontline batsmen.” 

Without them, Trinidad and Tobago have suffered a couple of embarrassing batting collapses at times when they appeared to be in the driver’s seat. It is a habit that Cassimy puts down to the lack of patience in the younger players. 

“Our batsmen are prepared to make a 40 or 50 and not go on.” While, he says, TT probably have the best crop of cricketing talent, they give away their wickets too easily, too often attempting to hit over the outfielders. “The talent is there, but it has not been applied consistently because it seems to be that the intelligent approach is sometimes lacking.” 

Mohammed will lead the Red Force tomorrow against the Volcanoes at the Beausejour Stadium, missing more than the Bravo brothers and Pollard. Mystery spinner Sunil Narine has chosen to continue working on his bowling action in Trinidad, fast bowler Ravi Rampaul is said to be recovering from a side strain and regular skipper Rayad Emrit has stayed at home nursing a groin injury. 

A team plagued with batting problems must now hope that the likes of Jeremy Solozano, Kjorn and Ottley, Yannic Cariah and wicketkeeper Steven Katwaroo can show the grit and maturity to give their bowlers a fair chance against the Windwards. Another defeat would be a result that virtually puts them out of contention for the 2015 Four Day crown.

First Published In The Trinidad & Tobago Newsday.

WICB Media Release.

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Players will be back in white and using the red ball, when the fifth round of matches in the WICB Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Tournament opens tomorrow.

With four rounds played and six to come, the R4Day continues virtually uninterrupted until its conclusion in late March, except for a one-week break at the end of this month.

In Kingston, Jamaica: The second-placed Jamaica Franchise will host current leaders Guyana Jaguars in the key match of the round at Sabina Park.

Current form suggests this contest could go either way, but history strongly favours the home team – only once have the Jaguars beaten them in the last 10 years.

In addition, the Franchisers will be looking to complete their eighth straight victory over the visitors.

The hosts have made four changes to their squad from the previous round, including giving a recall to experienced leg-spinner Odean Brown.

The Jags have been boosted by the return of veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul and fellow left-hander Leon Johnson, their captain, from the West Indies tour of South Africa.

In Bridgetown, Barbados: Both of the front-runners will have a keen eye on what’s happening at Kensington Oval, where reigning champions and third-placed Barbados Pride welcome Leeward Islands Hurricanes.

The Pride kick-started their title defence with a pair of unexpected victories against the Jaguars and the Volcanoes following a couple of early setbacks due to the weather interruptions and will be looking to continue this trend against the bottom-placed Hurricanes.

Recent history is on the side of the hosts – they have won the last four matches between the two sides – the last three by an innings and seven runs, an innings and 31 runs, and an innings and 49 runs respectively.

This could spell another tough weekend for the Hurricanes unless they could the right formula to jump-start their season.

The Pride have made four changes to their squad including the return of their regular captain Kraigg Brathwaite, the West Indies opener from the tour of South Africa, and Kirk Edwards, another West Indies batsman, making his first appearance for the season following injury.

The Hurricanes too, have four changes to their squad with opener Sherwin Peters, as well as fast-medium bowler Quinton Boatswain and leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr gaining their first look-in for the season.

In Gros-Islet, St. Lucia: There should be renewed interest at the Beausejour Cricket Ground, where Windward Islands Volcanoes host newly-minted NAGICO Super50 champions Trinidad & Tobago Red Force.

Both teams need all the points they could acquire to get things back on track if they are to make a late charge for the title, but the hosts will be looking to bring the visitors back to the reality of the longer version of the domestic game.

Neither side has distinguished themselves this season, frittering away promising positions against opponents, so an outcome is difficult to determine.

The Red Force have generally dominated over the last decade, but the Volcanoes can take comfort in the knowledge that they have won two of the last three matches between the sides.

The return of veteran left-hander Devon Smith from the West Indies’ tour of South Africa as one of three changes to the Volcanoes’ line-up will add substance to their batting, while the inclusion of fast bowler Shannon Gabriel as one of a similar number of changes to the Red Force’s squad will give their attack an edge.

Squads:

Jamaica Franchise vs Guyana Jaguars

(AT SABINA PARK, JAMAICA)

JAMAICA FRANCHISE (from): Tamar Lambert (captain), Carlton Baugh Jr, Dave Bernard Jr, Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Gavon Brown, Odean Brown, John Campbell, Jason Dawes, Damion Jacobs, Horace Miller, Marquino Mindley, Shacaya Thomas

IN–Bonner, O. Brown, Blackwood, Dawes; OUT–Jon-Ross Campbell, Andre McCarthy, Nikita Miller, Keno Wallace

GUYANA JAGUARS (from): Leon Johnson (captain), Christopher Barnwell, Ronsford Beaton, Devendra Bishoo, Anthony Bramble, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Rajindra Chandrika, Narsingh Deonarine, Shimron Hetmyer, Keon Joseph, Veerasammy Permaul, Raymon Reifer, Vishaul Singh

IN–S. Chanderpaul, Johnson; OUT– Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Trevon Griffith

UMPIRES: Christopher Wilson, Gregory Brathwaite (Barbados)

MATCH REFEREE: Denovan Hayles

RESERVE UMPIRE: Athol Hamilton

Windward Islands Volcanoes vs Trinidad & Tobago Red Force

(AT THE BEAUSEJOUR CRICKET GROUND, ST. LUCIA)

WINDWARD ISLANDS VOLCANOES (from): Liam Sebastian (captain), Sunil Ambris, Alston Bobb, Johnson Charles, Craig Emmanuel, Andre Fletcher, Delorn Johnson, Keddy Lesporis, Mervin Matthew, Kenroy Peters, Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith, Tyrone Theophile

IN–Emmanuel, Johnson, Smith; OUT–Romel Currency, Kavem Hodge, Nelon Pascal

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO RED FORCE (from): Rayad Emrit (captain), Yannic Cariah, Derone Davis, Shannon Gabriel, Akeal Hosein, Steven Katwaroo, Imran Khan, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Kjorn Ottley, Yannick Ottley, Marlon Richards, Jeremy Solozano

IN–Davis, Gabriel, K. Ottley; OUT–Nicholas Pooran, Lendl Simmons, Daniel St. Clair

UMPIRES: Lennox Abraham, Verdayne Smith (Jamaica)

MATCH REFEREE: Patrick Felix

RESERVE UMPIRE: Francis Maurice

Barbados Pride vs Leeward Islands Hurricanes

(AT KENSINGTON OVAL, BARBADOS)

BARBADOS PRIDE (from): Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Tino Best, Carlos Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Kyle Corbin, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Kirk Edwards, Shai Hope, Ashley Nurse, Kevin Stoute, Jomel Warrican

IN–Brooks, K. Brathwaite, Edwards, Stoute; OUT–Jonathan Carter, Ryan Hinds, Omar Phillips, Dwayne Smith

LEEWARD ISLANDS HURRICANES (from): Devon Thomas (captain), Quinton Boatswain, Rahkeem Cornwall, Jahmar Hamilton, Colin Hamer, Montcin Hodge, Jeremiah Louis, Orlando Peters, Sherwin Peters, Austin Richards Jr, Akeem Saunders, Gavin Tonge, Hayden Walsh Jr

IN–Boatswain, S. Peters, Saunders, Walsh; OUT–Alzarri Joseph, Yannick Leonard, Steve Liburd, Lyndell Richardson

UMPIRES: Leslie Reifer Jr, Steve O’Shaughnessy

MATCH REFEREE: Carlyle Carter

RESERVE UMPIRE: Kevin Sisnett

OFFICIAL POINTS STANDINGS

(After the fourth round)

Following are the Official Points Standings after the fourth round of matches in the WICB Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Tournament ended on Monday, December 8, 2014.

Abbreviations: Pts-total points, M-matches, W-won, L-lost, T-tied, I-incomplete match, A-abandoned match, DP-Abandoned match due to dangerous pitch, MR-match referee awarding match, Bat-batting points, Bowl-bowling points

RESULTS OF MATCHES

Round 1

November 14 to 17

Jamaica Franchise beat Windwards Volcanoes by 13 runs – Sabina Park

T&T Red Force drew with Barbados Pride – Queen’s Park Oval

Guyana Jaguars beat Leewards Hurricanes by an innings and 10 runs – Guyana National Stadium

Round 2

November 21 to 24

Guyana Jaguars beat Windwards Volcanoes by 92 runs – Guyana National Stadium

Leewards Hurricanes lost to T&T Red Force by 6 wickets – Warner Park

Barbados Pride drew with Jamaica Franchise – Windward Sports Club

Round 3

November 28 to December 1

Windwards Volcanoes beat Leewards Hurricanes by 9 wickets – Grenada National Stadium

Guyana Jaguars lost to Barbados Pride by 2 runs – Guyana National Stadium

T&T Red Force lost to Jamaica Franchise by 37 runs – Queen’s Park Oval

Round 4

December 5 to 8

Windwards Volcanoes lost to Barbados Pride by 11 runs – Arnos Vale Sports Complex

Jamaica Franchise beat Leewards Hurricanes by 4 wickets – Sabina Park

T&T Red Force lost to Guyana Jaguars by an innings and 60 runs – Queen’s Park Oval

REMAINING MATCHES

(Home teams mentioned first; all matches start at 10 a.m. local time)

Round 5

February 6 to 9

Jamaica Franchise vs Guyana Jaguars – Sabina Park

Windwards Volcanoes vs T&T Red Force – Beausejour Cricket Ground

Barbados Pride vs Leewards Hurricanes – Kensington Oval

Round 6

February 13 to 16

Windwards Volcanoes vs Jamaica Franchise – Arnos Vale Sports Complex

Barbados Pride vs T&T Red Force – Kensington Oval

Leewards Hurricanes vs Guyana Jaguars – Vivian Richards Cricket Ground

Round 7

February 20 to 23

Leewards Hurricanes vs Windwards Volcanoes – Vivian Richards Cricket Ground

Barbados Pride vs Guyana Jaguars – Kensington Oval

Jamaica Franchise vs T&T Red Force – Sabina Park

* * * BREAK * * *

Round 8

March 6 to 9

T&T Red Force vs Windwards Volcanoes – National Cricket Centre

Guyana Jaguars vs Jamaica Franchise – Guyana National Stadium

Leewards Hurricanes vs Barbados Pride – To be confirmed

Round 9

March 13 to 16

Barbados Pride vs Windwards Volcanoes – Kensington Oval

Leewards Hurricanes vs Jamaica Franchise – To be confirmed

Guyana Jaguars vs T&T Red Force – Guyana National Stadium

Round 10

March 20 to 23

Windwards Volcanoes vs Guyana Jaguars – Windsor Park

T&T Red Force vs Leewards Hurricanes – National Cricket Centre

Jamaica Franchise vs Barbados Pride – Sabina Park

ONLINE COVERAGE

1. Match reports and other tournament details here, www.windiescricket.com

2. Select one of the links below to watch single-camera, “live” webcasts of the matches:

-View Jamaica Franchise vs Jaguars here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/wimatchone

-View Volcanoes vs Red Force here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/wimatchtwo

-View Pride vs Hurricanes here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/wimatchthree

3. Images from selected matches will be available here, http://tinyurl.com/k44ld4o

4. Follow “live” text updates on Twitter here, http://tinyurl.com/qbqfzou

5. Audio files (mp3) of media opportunities will be available here, http://tinyurl.com/pa5lpo8

6. Video files of media opportunities will be available here, http://tinyurl.com/lkdxwfh

WICB Media Release.

By CMC.

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua - The regional first class season resumes with fifth round matches on Friday after a break for Christmas and to facilitate the NAGICO Super50 tournament.

The Professional Cricket League (PCL) four-day Tournament will continue without interruption until it reaches a climax in late March, except for a one-week break at the end of this month.

Front runners Guyana Jaguars will take on host Jamaica in a key fixture at Sabina Park that could go either way.

However history is on the side of the home team who have lost to the Jaguars only once the last ten years.

The hosts have made four changes to their squad from the previous round, including recalling experienced leg-spinner Odean Brown.

The visitors will be bolstered by the return of veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul and fellow left-hander Leon Johnson.

Guyana and Jamaica will be keeping a keen eye on Kensington Oval in Barbados where reigning champions and third-placed Barbados Pride welcome Leeward Islands Hurricanes.

The Pride kick-started their title defence with a pair of unexpected victories against the Jaguars and the Volcanoes following a couple of early setbacks due to the weather interruptions.

Barbados have won the last four matches between the two sides – the last three by an innings and seven runs, an innings and 31 runs, and an innings and 49 runs respectively.

The Pride have made four changes to their squad including the return of their regular captain Kraigg Brathwaite, the West Indies opener from the tour of South Africa, and Kirk Edwards, another West Indies batsman, making his first appearance for the season following injury.

The Hurricanes too, have four changes to their squad with opener Sherwin Peters, as well as fast-medium bowler Quinton Boatswain and leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr gaining their first look-in for the season.

Meantime, there should be renewed interest at the Beausejour Cricket Ground in St. Lucia where Windward Islands Volcanoes host newly-minted NAGICO Super50 champions Trinidad & Tobago Red Force.

Both teams need all the points they could acquire to get things back on track if they are to make a late charge for the title.

Neither side has distinguished themselves this season, frittering away promising positions against opponents, so an outcome is difficult to determine.

The Red Force have generally dominated over the last decade, but the Volcanoes can take comfort in the knowledge that they have won two of the last three matches between the sides.

The return of veteran left-hander Devon Smith from the West Indies’ tour of South Africa as one of three changes to the Volcanoes’ line-up will add substance to their batting.

The inclusion of fast bowler Shannon Gabriel as one of a similar number of changes to the Red Force’s squad will give their attack an edge.

By CMC.

Trinidad Express article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - The Trinidad and Tobago Red Force will have a tough battle on their hands over the next four days when they face the Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Beausejour Cricket Ground in St Lucia in the fifth round of the West Indies Cricket Board Professional Cricket League Four-Day competition which bowls off today.

In the other matches starting today, defending champions Barbados Pride will host Leewards Hurricanes at Kensington Oval while leaders Guyana Jaguars face second place Jamaica at Sabina Park.

While stand-in skipper Jason Mohammed remained optimistic that they can turn their season around following back-to-back losses to Jamaica and Guyana in the previous two rounds, he admitted that it will be an uphill battle.

“It is going to be tough,” Mohammed told the media earlier this week.

The Windwards have given T&T a run for their money in the past. They blew away today’s opponents in the semi-final last year at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, with pacer Kenroy Peters taking seven wickets in the second innings. And that was a more experienced T&T side than the one that left for St Lucia on Wednesday.

T&T are currently without Denesh Ramdin, Lendl Simmons and Darren Bravo, who are in the West Indies World Cup squad, while Kieron Pollard, Ravi Rampaul, Sunil Narine, Kevon Cooper and Dwayne Bravo are all out for various reasons.

And earlier this week, the Red Force had to cope with the loss of skipper Rayad Emrit who was ruled out with a groin strain.

The good news for the Red Force, who are fifth on the six-team standings on 24 points, is the return of pacer Shannon Gabriel and the recent good form of Mohammed who slammed an unbeaten century in the Super50 final.

Meanwhile, the Windwards, who are fourth on the standings with 26 points, will welcome back Test player Devon Smith to the side which also includes pacer Kenroy Peters, who made his Test debut against South Africa in December and off-spinner Shane Shillingford.

Before leaving T&T on Wednesday, Mohammed said they wanted to start fresh this year.

“We are confident now especially after the Super50. We did not have a good run so far in the four-day but that is behind us. This is a new year now and we are looking for better things. It is going to be a tough game going there in their home town but we are confident that things will go well.

“It is always tough when you don’t have the seniors guys around but we have some talented young players in the squad like the Ottley brothers (Kjorn and Yannick), (Yannic) Cariah, Evin (Lewis), (Jeremy) Solozano and I think once we give them that little bit of encouragement I think we can do well with this young batting unit,” the T&T skipper added.

SQUADS

T&T Red Force (from): Jason Mohammed (captain), Evin Lewis, Jeremy Solozano, Yannic Cariah, Khesan Yannick Ottley, Kjorn Ottley, Imran Khan, Akeal Hosein, Steven Katwaroo, Shannon Gabriel, Marlon Richards, Derone Davis, Daniel St Clair

Roland Sampath (manager), Gus Logie (coach), Kelvin Williams (assistant coach), Oba Gulston (Physiotherapist).

Windward Islands Volcanoes (from):

Liam Sebastian (captain), Sunil Ambris, Alston Bobb, Johnson Charles, Craig Emmanuel, Andre Fletcher, Delorn Johnson, Keddy Lesporis, Mervin Matthew, Kenroy Peters, Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith, Tyrone Theophile.

Professional Cricket League Fixtures

Round 5--February 6-9

Jamaica Franchise vs Guyana Jaguars, Sabina Park

Windwards Volcanoes vs T&T Red Force, Beausejour Cricket Ground

Barbados Pride vs Leewards Hurricanes, Kensington Oval

First Published In The Trinidad Express.

Trinidad & Tobago Newsday article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - The recently-crowned NAGICO Super50 champions Trinidad and Tobago Red Force will be looking to gain some much needed points when they meet hosts Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Beausejour Cricket Ground, Gros Islet, St Lucia today, as the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League Four Day Tournament resumes.

The Volcanoes are fourth on the six-team standings with 26 points, while the Red Force are fifth on 24, ahead of the Leeward Islands Hurricanes (10). The top three teams entering today’s Fifth Round are the Guyana Jaguars (57), Jamaica Franchise (50) and Barbados Pride (44). 

Roland Sampath, who replaced Manohar Ramsaran as Red Force manager last week, stated in a telephone interview yesterday from St Lucia, “we’re using that NAGICO success as a motivating factor. 

“However, we know that the six internationals that played in the NAGICO Super50, they are not here,” he added, referring to the Bravo brothers Dwayne and Darren, Ravi Rampaul, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard and Kevon Cooper (Cooper is yet to play for the West Indies but has featured in the Indian Premier League). “So these youngsters here need to try (to) step up.” 

The Red Force batting has faltered badly in the Four Day Tournament, with Lendl Simmons (with the West Indies team preparing for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand), Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed (who will captain the team in the absence of the injured Rayad Emrit) and Yannick Ottley averaging between 17 and 27. Only Yannic Cariah averages over 30 (52.66). 

“We had a team meeting a while ago and we stressed the importance of applying yourself, batting as long as possible because we’ve been having problems at the top order,” said Sampath. “Again patience is the watchword. We can only ask that of the players and hopefully the players can go out there and implement it.” 

Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel has returned from the WI tour of South Africa and he is expected to lead the bowling attack, with Emrit staying home to nurse a groin injury. 

“He is what you call the senior pro,” was how Sampath described Gabriel. “We did stress that he has to lead the bowling attack, more so that Rayad Emrit is not here. He’ll just fill in that void and hopefully he could bring that experience from Test level back to the team.” 

With regards to the weather, the ex-national all-rounder stated, “good weather for cricket. (It’s) a bit hot. The pitch looks good, the outfield lovely so we’re hoping that the youngsters can come and show some form in the next four days.” 

Teams - 

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO RED FORCE: Jason Mohammed (captain), Yannic Cariah, Derone Davis, Shannon Gabriel, Akeal Hosein, Steven Katwaroo, Imran Khan, Evin Lewis, Kjorn Ottley, Yannick Ottley, Marlon Richards, Jeremy Solozano, Daniel St Clair.

WINDWARD ISLANDS VOLCANOES: Liam Sebastian (captain), Sunil Ambris, Alston Bobb, Johnson Charles, Craig Emmanuel, Andre Fletcher, Delorn Johnson, Keddy Lesporis, Mervin Matthew, Kenroy Peters, Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith, Tyrone Theophile.

First Published In The Trinidad & Tobago Newsday.

Jamaica v Guyana Jaguars

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |

Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

Toss: To be confirmed

Jamaica Final Squad: Tamar Lambert (captain), Carlton Baugh Jr, Dave Bernard Jr, Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Gavon Brown, Odean Brown, John Campbell, Jason Dawes, Damion Jacobs, Horace Miller, Marquino Mindley, Shacaya Thomas.

Guyana Jaguars Final Squad: Leon Johnson (captain), Vishaul Singh (vice-Captain), Rajendra Chandrika, Shemron Hetmyer, Narsingh Deonarine, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Christopher Barnwell, Anthony Bramble (wicket-keeper), Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Keon Joseph, Ronsford Beaton.

Umpires: Christopher Wilson & Gregory Brathwaite

Reserve Umpire: Athol Hamilton

Match Referee: Denovan Hayles

Tweets by @WindiesRegional

Windward Volcanoes v T&T Red Force

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |

Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

Toss: Volcanoes won the toss and elected to bat

Windward Islands Volcanoes Final XI: Liam Sebastian (captain), Sunil Ambris, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Delorn Johnson, Keddy Lesporis, Mervin Matthew, Kenroy Peters, Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith, Tyrone Theophile.

T&T Red Force Final XI: Rayad Emrit (captain), Jason Mohammed, Evin Lewis, Jeremy Solozano, Yannic Cariah, Khesan Yannick Ottley, Kjorn Ottley, Imran Khan, Steven Katwaroo (wicket-keeper), Shannon Gabriel, Marlon Richards.

Umpires: Lennox Abraham & Verdayne Smith

Reserve Umpire: Francis Maurice

Match Referee: Patrick Felix

Tweets by @WindiesRegional

Barbados Pride v Leeward Hurricanes

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |

Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

Toss: Hurricanes won the toss and elected to field

Barbados Final XI: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Tino Best, Carlos Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Kyle Corbin, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Kirk Edwards, Shai Hope, Ashley Nurse, Jomel Warrican.

Leeward Islands Hurricanes Final XI: Devon Thomas (captain), Quinton Boatswain, Rahkeem Cornwall, Jahmar Hamilton, Montcin Hodge, Orlando Peters, Sherwin Peters, Austin Richards Jr, Akeem Saunders, Gavin Tonge, Hayden Walsh Jr.

Umpires: Leslie Reifer Jr & Steve O’Shaughnessy

Reserve Umpire: Kevin Sisnett

Match Referee: Carlyle Carter

Tweets by @WindiesRegional

Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Playing Conditions

News On The Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day

Photos courtesy WICB/Media:

GROS ISLET, St Lucia, CMC – Tyrone Theophile struck his maiden first class hundred to extend Trinidad and Tobago Red Force’s misery in the WICB Professional Cricket League here Friday.

The right-hander carved out an attractive 136 which propelled Windward Islands Volcanoes to 388 for eight at the close on the opening day of the fifth round contest, and kept the visitors under the cosh at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.

Theophile faced 149 balls in just under 3-1/4 hours at the crease and struck 16 fours and four sixes, in an accomplished innings.

Keddy Lesporis came within sight of maiden regional hundred before falling for 83 while captain Liam Sebastien got 56.

Mervin Mathew, with an unbeaten 37 and Kenroy Peters, not out on 27, further frustrated Red Force at the end with an unbroken ninth wicket stand of 48.

Leg-spinner Imran Khan was the best bowler with three for 90 and got support from pacer Shannon Gabriel with three for 96.

Opting to bat first, the Windwards got a 43-run stand for the first wicket from Theophile and Devon Smith (16) before losing two quick wickets.

Smith was caught at the wicket off Gabriel who then removed Johnson Charles, bowled without scoring off the first ball he faced.

Theophile then posted 30 for the third wicket with Sunil Ambris (18) and 28 for the fourth wicket with Andre Fletcher (3) before inspiring two superb stands to take Red Force out of the game.

He put on 120 for the fifth wicket with Lesporis who hammered nine fours and a six off a mere 89 balls, before added a further 61 with Sebastien whose knock required 86 balls, 108 minutes and contained seven fours.

Red Force lies one from bottom in the six-team standings.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary Scores:

Windward Islands Volcanoes 1st Innings: 388/8 (90 Overs). Tyrone Theophile 136, Keddy Lesporis 83, Liam Sebastien* 56, Mervin Matthew 34*; Imran Khan 27-3-90-3,  Shannon Gabriel 13-0-96-3, Jason Mohammed 15-3-43-1, Marlon Richards 9-3-43-1.

Stumps, Day 1

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Windward Islands Volcanoes 1st Innings

D Smith c Katwaroo b Gabriel 16

T Theophile b Gabriel 136

J Charles b Gabriel 0

A Ambris C Ottley b Imran Khan 18

A Fletcher+ LBW Richards 3

K Lesporis LBW Khan 83

L Sebastien LBW Jason Mohammed 56

S Shillingford c Solozano b Imran Khan 7

M Matthew not out 34

K Peters not out 27

Total: 388/8 (90 Overs)

Extras: (lb3, w2, nb3) 8

Still to bat: D Johnson.

Fall of Wickets: 1-43, 2-43, 3-73, 4-102, 5-221, 6-282, 7-298, 8-340.

T&T Red Force 1st Innings Bowling: S Gabriel 13-0-96-3, M Richards 9-3-43-1, D St Clair 6-0-34-0, I Khan 27-3-90-3, Y Ottley 8-0-31-0, Y Cariah 12-0-48-0, J Mohammed 15-3-43-1.

T&T Red Force Final XI: Rayad Emrit (captain), Jason Mohammed, Evin Lewis, Jeremy Solozano, Yannic Cariah, Khesan Yannick Ottley, Kjorn Ottley, Imran Khan, Steven Katwaroo (wicket-keeper), Shannon Gabriel, Marlon Richards.

State of Match: Windwards Volcanoes are 388/8 in their 1st Innings

Points: Volcanoes 4 (4 batting points), Red Force 2 (2 bowling points)

Toss: Volcanoes won the toss and elected to bat

Umpires: Lennox Abraham & Verdayne Smith

Reserve Umpire: Francis Maurice

Match Referee: Patrick Felix

Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4

Trinidad Express article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - Queen’s Park Cricket Club (QPCC) were in a dominant position against First Citizens Clarke Road United after the first day of their Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board National League Premier Division three-day competition last Saturday, and will be pushing for an outright win this weekend when the match resumes at 10 a.m. today at the Queen’s Park Oval.

Clarke Road closed day one on 36 for two in their second innings, still 97 runs away from making the Parkites bat a second time. And with off-spinner Sunil Narine in the mix, the Parkites will be confident of wrapping up an early victory.

Elsewhere the defending champions Merry Boys battled to 206 for seven against Preysal at Diego Martin while Jenexcon Tableland were in a strong position against PowerGen Penal, scoring 335 for eight at Debe Recreation Ground.

League newcomers Victoria United were putting up a good fight against Alescon Comets at Pierre Road last Saturday, rallying to 111 for three at stumps in reply to the home team’s 163 all out.

All matches resume today at 10 a.m.

National League

Premier Division 1

Round 1

At Diego Martin Recreation Ground

Merry Boys 206-7 vs Preysal Sports

At Pierre Road

Alescon Comets 163 vs Victoria United 111-3

At Enterprise

Esmeralda Sports 100 vs Caldrac Sports 186

At Queen’s Park Oval

First Citizens Clarke Road 58 & 36-2 vs

QPCC 190

At Debe Recreation Ground

Jenexcon Tableland 335-8 vs

PowerGen Penal Sports

Premier Division 2

Round 1

At Evergreen Ground

QPCC 2 173-5 vs Rahamut’s Evergreen

At Munroe Road

Calcutta Sports 111 vs Munroe Road 104-4

At Aranjuez

Bamboo Cricket Club 194 vs HKL Aranjuez

Sports 111-4

At Prison Ground

Prisons Sports Club 246-9 vs Moosai Sports

First Published In The Trinidad Express.

Trinidad Guardian article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - The cricketing world lost a son in an unfortunate situation but former West Indies Youth captain Zaheer Ali has decided to honour the late Australian by setting up a development seminar for young cricketers at El Dorado recently.

According to Ali :”Being a son of the cricketing world I am certain that the environment in which Phillip Hughes spent his last moments brought him a lot of happiness, joy, contentment and respect.”

Ali who toured Australia with the Queen’s Park Cricket team at the age of 17 years said while the days have passed the moments are and will be alive and for this reason he took the opportunity on behalf of the directors and officers of the Zaheer Ali Foundation, as well as the citizens of T&T and the people across the region to express deepest condolences to the Phillip Hughes family, the people of Australia and around the world.

Hughes was struck by a bouncer and died a couple days later at a Sydney Hospital.

Ali said not everyday something like this happens but when it does as individuals and organisations we must learn from it and take decisive actions to ensure as far as practicable that the passing of Phillip Hughes is not in vain but a means of Promoting and developing the sport that unites people nationally, regionally and internationally and which is well respected for its healthy and historic legacy.

A former national senior cricketer and the pilot of the Zaheer Ali Foundation, Ali said it was important to engage and collaborate with all the stakeholders to create the avenue for their input in formulating a plan of action. He lamented that the model and execution of development programmes must be reviewed and highlighted that development cannot be the subject or focus of one individual or entity but a cross section of all the stakeholders. 

Supporting the event was his Excellency the Australian High Commissioner Ross Tysoe, President of TTCB Azim Bassarath and the executive of the TTCB,Tarandath Sammy the chairman of the East Zone, Kenneth Samuel Principal and representative for the Primary Schools in the East Zone, Kenrick Edwards Superintendent of Police Criminal Gang and intelligence Unit, Dr Varma Deyalsingh representative from the Medical Board, Rayad Emrit National Senior team cricket captain, Dr Khan and personnel from the North- Central Regional Health Authority and Pradeep Vishnu (coach) from the Ministry of Sport.

The Foundation considered all the pertinent and relevant factors from a sporting, personal, and a national development perspective in defining its objective for the project which were to introduce youths formally to the game of cricket and build their confidence and willingness to play the sport of cricket, to ensure sustainability for the sport of cricket by scouting for talent, to develop the social and human resource capital of T&T through sport in light of the challenges we face where the youths are concerned.

In the opening ceremony Ali said he urged the young cricketers from the various governmental and denominational Primary Schools to seize the opportunity to learn and develop as cricketers and individuals. He commended the principals, staff and parents for seeing the importance of the workshop and for making the effort to support the development of the sport of cricket but more importantly the development of our nation.

The Zaheer Ali Foundation also presented a plaque to the Australian High Commissioner in honour of Hughes for his achievements, dedication and commitment to the sport. 

Ali concluded by expressing his deepest appreciation for the corporate support from Charrans BookStores, Angostura, Nigel R Khan Book Sellers, Blue Waters, Xtra Foods, Deo’s Tent Rentals. 

First Published In The Trinidad Guardian.

Jamaica v Guyana Jaguars

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |

Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

Toss: Jamaica won the toss and elected to field

Jamaica Final XI: Tamar Lambert (captain), Carlton Baugh Jr, Dave Bernard Jr, Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Odean Brown, John Campbell, Jason Dawes, Damion Jacobs, Horace Miller, Marquino Mindley.

Guyana Jaguars Final XI: Leon Johnson (captain), Vishaul Singh (vice-Captain), Shemron Hetmyer, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Christopher Barnwell, Anthony Bramble (wicket-keeper), Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Keon Joseph, Ronsford Beaton.

Umpires: Christopher Wilson & Gregory Brathwaite

Reserve Umpire: Athol Hamilton

Match Referee: Denovan Hayles

Tweets by @WindiesRegional​

Windward Volcanoes v T&T Red Force

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |

Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

Toss: Volcanoes won the toss and elected to bat

Windward Islands Volcanoes Final XI: Liam Sebastian (captain), Sunil Ambris, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Delorn Johnson, Keddy Lesporis, Mervin Matthew, Kenroy Peters, Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith, Tyrone Theophile.

T&T Red Force Final XI: Rayad Emrit (captain), Jason Mohammed, Evin Lewis, Jeremy Solozano, Yannic Cariah, Khesan Yannick Ottley, Kjorn Ottley, Imran Khan, Steven Katwaroo (wicket-keeper), Shannon Gabriel, Marlon Richards.

Umpires: Lennox Abraham & Verdayne Smith

Reserve Umpire: Francis Maurice

Match Referee: Patrick Felix

Tweets by @WindiesRegional​

Barbados Pride v Leeward Hurricanes

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |

Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

Toss: Hurricanes won the toss and elected to field

Barbados Final XI: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Tino Best, Carlos Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Kyle Corbin, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Kirk Edwards, Shai Hope, Ashley Nurse, Jomel Warrican.

Leeward Islands Hurricanes Final XI: Devon Thomas (captain), Quinton Boatswain, Rahkeem Cornwall, Jahmar Hamilton, Montcin Hodge, Orlando Peters, Sherwin Peters, Austin Richards Jr, Akeem Saunders, Gavin Tonge, Hayden Walsh Jr.

Umpires: Leslie Reifer Jr & Steve O’Shaughnessy

Reserve Umpire: Kevin Sisnett

Match Referee: Carlyle Carter

Tweets by @WindiesRegional​

Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Playing Conditions

News On The Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day

Photos courtesy WICB/Media:

Gros Islet, St Lucia, CMC - At the Beausejour Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, rain scuppered Windward Islands Volcanoes attempt to take control against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.

When the weather forced a premature close to the day, Red Force were under pressure at 129 for five in reply to the Windwards’ massive 400 for eight declared.

Left-arm seamer Kenroy Peters was the main destroyer with three for 14 from 13 overs.

Yannick Cariah was leading the fight for Red Force with an unbeaten 40 from two hours at the crease, with seven fours.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary Scores:

Windward Islands Volcanoes 1st Innings: 400/8 (94 Overs). Tyrone Theophile 136, Keddy Lesporis 83, Liam Sebastien* 56, Mervin Matthew 40*; Imran Khan 29-3-97-3,  Shannon Gabriel 15-0-101-3, Jason Mohammed 15-3-43-1, Marlon Richards 9-3-43-1.

T&T Red Force 1st Innings: 129/4 (45.4 Overs). Yannic Cariah 40*, Evin Lewis 28, Yannick Ottley 19, Jeremy Solozano 15; Kenroy Peters 13-6-14-3, Mervin Mathew 15-4-27-1, Delorn Johnson 12-0-52-1, Shane Shillingford 4.4-0-21-0.

Stumps, Day 2

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Windward Islands Volcanoes 1st Innings (Overnight; 388/8)

D Smith c Katwaroo b Gabriel 16

T Theophile b Gabriel 136

J Charles b Gabriel 0

A Ambris C Ottley b Imran Khan 18

A Fletcher+ LBW Richards 3

K Lesporis LBW Khan 83

L Sebastien LBW Jason Mohammed 56

S Shillingford c Solozano b Imran Khan 7

M Matthew not out 40

K Peters not out 32

Total: 400/8 (94 Overs)

Extras: (lb3, w2, nb4) 9

Did not bat: D Johnson.

Fall of Wickets: 1-43, 2-43, 3-73, 4-102, 5-221, 6-282, 7-298, 8-340.

T&T Red Force 1st Innings Bowling: S Gabriel 15-0-101-3, M Richards 9-3-43-1, D St Clair 6-0-34-0, I Khan 29-3-97-3, Y Ottley 8-0-31-0, Y Cariah 12-0-48-0, J Mohammed 15-3-43-1.

T&T Red Force 1st Innings

E Lewis c Smith b Peters 28

J Solozano c Fletcher b K Peters 15

K Ottley LBW Johnson 5

Y Cariah not out 40

J Mohammed* c Fletcher b Peters 3

Y Ottley c Ambris b Matthew 19

S Katwaroo+ not out 6

Total: 129/4 (45.4 Overs)

Extras: (b4, lb5, w3, nb1) 13

Still to Bat: I Khan, D St Clair, S Gabriel, M Richards.

Fall of Wickets: 1-45, 2-46, 3-56, 4-67, 5-113.

Windwards Volcanoes Bowling: D Johnson 12-0-52-1, M Mathew 15-4-27-1, K Peters 13-6-14-3, S Shillingford 4.4-0-21-0, L Sebastien 1-0-6-0.

State of Match: T&T red Force trail by 271 runs

Points-to-date: Volcanoes 6 (5 batting points + 1 bowling points), Red Force 2 (2 bowling points)

Toss: Volcanoes won the toss and elected to bat

Umpires: Lennox Abraham & Verdayne Smith

Reserve Umpire: Francis Maurice

Match Referee: Patrick Felix

Day 1 | Day 3 | Day 4

Trinidad Express article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - While the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board Premier Division league competition was increased from a two-day to a three-day format, Queen’s Park Cricket Club and Caldrac Sports did not need all that time to complete outright wins in the first round of the competition.

The Parkites completed an easy eight-wicket win over First Citizens Clarke Road at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain yesterday, while Caldrac beat Esmeralda Sports by seven wickets just after tea on the second day of their contest at Enterprise, both matches lasting less than two days.

The Queen’s Park bowlers set up their win last Saturday when they dismissed the South team for 58 in the first session of the match, with pacers Kevon Cooper (four for 15) and Tion Webster (three for 25) doing the damage.

The Parkites made 190 in their first innings and continuing from 36 for two, Clarke Road reached 193 all out to take a 61-run lead thanks to an unbeaten 71 from Barbadian Kyle Mayers.

The target was no trouble for the Queen’s Park who raced to 64 for two to complete the outright win before Tea.

It was a similar situation for Caldrac, with Guyanese spinner Royston Crandon grabbing six for 28 to dismiss Esmeralda for 100 on the opening day last Saturday. Caldrac made 186 in reply before spinner Jon-Russ Jaggesar grabbed seven for 48 to dismiss Esmeralda for 124 in their second innings yesterday.

Set 39 to win, Caldrac reached 42 for three.

Former champions PowerGen Penal were forced to follow-on against Jenexcon Tableland yesterday after being dismissed for 183 in reply to Tableland’s 376 all out. PowerGen were 10 without loss at the close yesterday still trailing by 183 runs.

At Pierre Road, newcomers Victoria United gave Alescon Comets some trouble. Victoria won first innings points as they reached 189 in reply to Comets’ 163.

Comets were dismissed for 170 setting Victoria 144 to win. The South team were 28 without loss at the close.

Elsewhere defending champions Merry Boys added just eight to their day one score of 206 for seven before dismissing Preysal for 93 yesterday, with Aneil Kanhai taking seven for 25. Merry Boys were 155 for seven at stumps, with an overall lead of 278.

All matches conclude today.

Yesterday’s National League Premier Division 1 scores

Round 1

At Enterprise

Esmeralda Sports 100 & 124 (Uthman Mohammad 27, Teshawn Castro 39; Jon-Russ Jaggesar 7/48) vs Caldrac Sports 186 & 42-3 (Ray Campbell 25)--Caldrac won by 7 wickets

At Queen’s Park Oval

First Citizens Clarke Road 58 & 193 (Kyle Mayes 71 n.o.; Amit Jaggernauth 3/37, Sunil Narine 3/70, Kevon Cooper 2/18, Javon Searles 2/29) vs QPCC 190 & 64-2 (Daron Cruickshank 38 n.o.; Kyle Mayers 1-22)

--QPCC won by nine wickets

At Diego Martin Recreation Ground

Merry Boys 216 (Philton Williams 4/28, Bryan Charles 3/62, Ryan Austin 3/55) & 155-7 (Jeetendra Sookdeo 40, Aneil Kanhai 37, Rishaad Harris 29 n.o.; Ryan Austin 4/47) vs Preysal 93 (Miguel Nedd 32, David Williams Jr 25; Aneil Kanhai 7/25)

At Pierre Road

Alescon Comets 163 & 170 (Adrian Ali 35, Richard Kelly 62; Garey Mathurin 4/64, Dinesh Ramdharry 2/43, Kenton Thompson 2/12) vs Victoria United 189 (Brandon Jaggernauth 72, Kenton Thompson 27; Selwyn Jacobs 4/72, Kissoondath Magram 4/66) & 28-0

At Debe Recreation Ground

Jenexcon Tableland 376 (Adrian Cooper 132, Chanderpaul Hemraj 68, Brent Harriot 65; Kavesh Kantasingh 4/84, Sherwin Ganga 2/65) vs PowerGen Penal Sports 183 (Jeron Maniram 35, Nicholas Sookdeosingh 34, Gregory Mahabir 25; Brent Harriot 4/43, Chanderpaul Hemraj 3/35, Amir Khan 2/33) & 10-0 (following-on)

First Published In The Trinidad Express.

Trinidad Express article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - Moosai Sports women’s team will be going for their second win of the 2015 Trinidad and Tobago Women’s Cricket Association Premier Division 50 over League when they host Preysal Phoenix at El Dorado West Secondary from 11 a.m. today.

Phoenix are also coming off a first round win, having defeated Cricket Lovers by six wickets thanks to a half century from West Indies women skipper Merissa Aguilleira.

In other matches today, Premier Division newcomers Hibiscus Ladies, who lost to Moosai last week, tackle Technocrats at Munroe Road Recreation Ground, while Cricket Lovers will be hoping to bounce back from their loss when they face Jus United at Pinto Recreation Ground.

Premiership 50 Overs—11 am start

Moosai Sports Club vs Preysal Phoenix, El Dorado West Secondary

Technocrats vs Hibiscus Ladies, Munroe Road Recreation Ground

Jus United vs Cricket Lovers, Pinto Recreation Ground

Championship 40 overs—noon start

South West United vs UWI, James Park, Point Fortin

West Side Giants vs Preysal Achievers, Couva East Secondary

First Published In The Trinidad Express.

Trinidad Express article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - Dwayne Bravo has re-affirmed his support for new West Indies One-Day International skipper Jason Holder and is urging the West Indies players to give the young captain their full support.

Holder replaced Bravo as captain of the ODI team for the recent South African tour and for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup and last week Bravo said he will give his full support no matter who is captain of the team.

“I am still fully 100 per cent committed to represent the West Indies team and that is the most important thing,” said Bravo. “I have already given Jason Holder my full support and endorsement and I encourage the guys to give him their full support. 

“He is a young captain and he will need it. It is a tough job and as long as the senior players like Darren Sammy, Samuels, Denesh Ramdin and Gayle all step in and play their part definitely they can do well,” Bravo added.

He also revealed that he considers the young Bajan to be like family saying: “Jason Holder of all the players in the team is like my little brother. Darren Bravo is my brother by blood but I call Jason Holder my son. He is 25 and I am 31 but I singlehandedly look after that kid like my own brother or someone I have a lot of respect for.”

Bravo, who retired from Test cricket earlier this year, also revealed that he encouraged the medium pacer to accept the ODI captaincy when it was offered to him late last year following the West Indies abandoned tour of India.

“When the captaincy was offered to Jason he messaged me first and I was the first person that said to take it, accept it. I am a big fan of Jason, so regardless of what people might think, that I don’t want to play under Jason, that is speculation and rumours,” said Bravo.

“I play under anyone. Captaincy to me is not something that bothers me, as long as I am able to play cricket because that is what I love and that is what I want to be remembered as—someone who played the game honest and fair and gave 100 per cent regardless of which team I play for, he added.

He also wished the West Indies all the best in the World Cup and urged “to rally around the team.”

“Yes they had a bad tour of South African but the World Cup is a different tournament and we playing each team once, so we not going to play South Africa or Australia four or five times,” Bravo added.

First Published In The Trinidad Express.

Jamaica v Guyana Jaguars

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |

Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

Toss: Jamaica won the toss and elected to field

Jamaica Final XI: Tamar Lambert (captain), Carlton Baugh Jr, Dave Bernard Jr, Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Odean Brown, John Campbell, Jason Dawes, Damion Jacobs, Horace Miller, Marquino Mindley.

Guyana Jaguars Final XI: Leon Johnson (captain), Vishaul Singh (vice-Captain), Shemron Hetmyer, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Christopher Barnwell, Anthony Bramble (wicket-keeper), Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Keon Joseph, Ronsford Beaton.

Umpires: Christopher Wilson & Gregory Brathwaite

Reserve Umpire: Athol Hamilton

Match Referee: Denovan Hayles

Tweets by @WindiesRegional​

Windward Volcanoes v T&T Red Force

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |

Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

Toss: Volcanoes won the toss and elected to bat

Windward Islands Volcanoes Final XI: Liam Sebastian (captain), Sunil Ambris, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Delorn Johnson, Keddy Lesporis, Mervin Matthew, Kenroy Peters, Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith, Tyrone Theophile.

T&T Red Force Final XI: Rayad Emrit (captain), Jason Mohammed, Evin Lewis, Jeremy Solozano, Yannic Cariah, Khesan Yannick Ottley, Kjorn Ottley, Imran Khan, Steven Katwaroo (wicket-keeper), Shannon Gabriel, Marlon Richards.

Umpires: Lennox Abraham & Verdayne Smith

Reserve Umpire: Francis Maurice

Match Referee: Patrick Felix

Tweets by @WindiesRegional​

Barbados Pride v Leeward Hurricanes

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |

Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

Toss: Hurricanes won the toss and elected to field

Barbados Final XI: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Tino Best, Carlos Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Kyle Corbin, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Kirk Edwards, Shai Hope, Ashley Nurse, Jomel Warrican.

Leeward Islands Hurricanes Final XI: Devon Thomas (captain), Quinton Boatswain, Rahkeem Cornwall, Jahmar Hamilton, Montcin Hodge, Orlando Peters, Sherwin Peters, Austin Richards Jr, Akeem Saunders, Gavin Tonge, Hayden Walsh Jr.

Umpires: Leslie Reifer Jr & Steve O’Shaughnessy

Reserve Umpire: Kevin Sisnett

Match Referee: Carlyle Carter

Tweets by @WindiesRegional​

Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Playing Conditions

News On The Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day

View full gallery on Flickr: © WICB Media

GROS ISLET, St Lucia, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, trailing Windward Islands Volcanoes by 223 runs, were six without loss in their second innings at the close on the third day of their fifth round match in the WICB Professional Cricket League at Beausejour Cricket Ground here Sunday.

Full Day 3 Report to follow...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary Scores:

Windward Islands Volcanoes 1st Innings: 400/8 (94 Overs). Tyrone Theophile 136, Keddy Lesporis 83, Liam Sebastien* 56, Mervin Matthew 40*; Imran Khan 29-3-97-3, Shannon Gabriel 15-0-101-3, Jason Mohammed 15-3-43-1, Marlon Richards 9-3-43-1.

T&T Red Force 1st Innings: 129/4 (45.4 Overs). Yannic Cariah 50, Evin Lewis 28, Yannick Ottley 19, Stephen Katwaroo+ 18; Kenroy Peters 18-7-21-5, Shane Shillingford 11.4-1-42-3, Mervin Mathew 19-5-34-1, Delorn Johnson 16-1-60-1.

T&T Red Force 2nd Innings: 6/0 (3 Overs). Evin Lewis 4*, Jeremy Solozano 1*; Delorn Johnson 1-0-1-0, Shane Shillingford 1-0-1-0, Liam Sebastien 1-0-3-0.

Stumps, Day 3

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Windward Islands Volcanoes 1st Innings 400/8

T&T Red Force 1st Innings (Overnight; 129/4)

E Lewis c Smith b Peters 28

J Solozano c Fletcher b K Peters 15

K Ottley LBW Johnson 5

Y Cariah c D Smith b S Shillingford 50

J Mohammed* c Fletcher b Peters 3

Y Ottley c Ambris b Matthew 19

S Katwaroo+ c Smith b Peters 18

I Khan c Sebastien b Peters 1

D St Clair not out 12

M Richards c Ambris b Shillingford 0

S Gabriel c S Ambris b S Shillingford 11

Total: 177 All Out (67.4 Overs)

Extras: (b4, lb6, w4, nb1) 15

Fall of Wickets: 1-45, 2-46, 3-56, 4-67, 5-113, 6-152, 7-152, 8-154, 9-155, 10-177.

Windwards Volcanoes 1st Innings Bowling: D Johnson 16-1-60-1, M Mathew 19-5-34-1, K Peters 18-7-21-5, S Shillingford 11.4-1-42-3, L Sebastien 3-1-10-0.

T&T Red Force 2nd Innings (Trail; 223)

E Lewis not out 4

J Solozano not out 1

Total: 6/0 (3 Overs)

Extras: (lb1) 1

Windwards Volcanoes 2nd Innings Bowling: D Johnson 1-0-1-0, S Shillingford 1-0-1-0, L Sebastien 1-0-3-0.

State of Match: T&T Red Force trail by 271 runs

Points-to-date: Volcanoes 8 (5 batting points + 3 bowling points), Red Force 2 (2 bowling points + 0 batting points)

Toss: Volcanoes won the toss and elected to bat

Umpires: Lennox Abraham & Verdayne Smith

Reserve Umpire: Francis Maurice

Match Referee: Patrick Felix

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 4

Trinidad Express article.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) National League Premier Division defending champions Merry Boys completed their rout of Preysal when they registered a 105-run victory at the Diego Martin Recreation Ground, yesterday.

Spinner Aneil Kanhai (4/56) and Rikki Jaipaul (4/52) weaved a web around the Preysal batsmen as they claimed eight of the ten wickets between them after Merry Boys had declared on 155 for seven overnight, leaving Preysal a winning target of 278.

The South-based team was not able to meet the challenge and were limited to 173 despite the resistance of Bidesh Sookhai (57), with commendable support from Miguel Nedd (38) and Philton Williams (37 n.o.).

At Debe Recreation Ground, Jenexcon Tableland also posted a convincing victory, this one a 10-wicket triumph over PowerGen Penal Sports. Resuming on 10 for no loss after being forced to follow on, Penal were still 183 runs short of Tableland’s 376 first innings score.

Top West Indies T20 bowler Samuel Badree helped to spare Penal’s blushes with a face-saving 67 while Sherwin Ganga (48) just missed out on a half century.

But Jenexcon’s bowlers Ameer Khan and Chanderpaul Hemraj grabbed a ‘fiver’ and ‘three-for’ respectively to do the damage and limit the target to 29. Tableland made it to 31 without loss to easily secure the win.

And in the game at Pierre Road, Victoria United held on for a two-wicket triumph over Alescon Comets. Shatrughan Rambaran (29) and Brandon Jaggernauth (22) steered Victoria to the win.

First Published In The Trinidad Express.

Jamaica Gleaner article.

Kingston, Jamaica - West Indies and Barbados Tridents all-rounder Kieron Pollard says he backs Jamaica's Chris Gayle to lead the West Indies with his bat during the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup that begins this coming weekend.

He also wished the team well as it goes in pursuit of its first World Cup title in 36 years. The last time the West Indies won the ICC World Cup was in 1979. The team returned to the final in 1983 but was upset by India.

Pollard said that despite his absence and that of fellow Trinidadian Dwayne Bravo, there are enough quality players, including Gayle, who can carry the team far.

"There are world-class players; Chris (Gayle) hasn't fired recently, but I back him as the one to go into this World Cup and do well," Pollard said.

"They have a very good chance to get out of the group stage. If they don't get out, then it would be a disappointment, but once you get out from there, it's a lottery - quarter-final, semi-final and then the final - so we will see how they go."

Moved On From Non-selection

Meanwhile, Pollard said he has moved on from his non-selection to the Windies World Cup squad.

"I am not going to comment on that," Pollard said. "I've had enough time to get over that, and I just want to wish the team all the best and, hopefully, they can do well."

He also gave his blessings to new one-day captain Jason Holder, the man who replaced Bravo as the leader of the team.

"The selectors have made their choice," said Pollard, who was in Jamaica for last Thursday's Caribbean Premier League Draft. "I have spoken to Jason as a senior player. We have had personal discussions, and now he is back with the Tridents, so you can see there is no animosity there, so I hope he can do well."

First Published In The Jamaica Gleaner.

Jamaica v Guyana Jaguars

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |

Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

Toss: Jamaica won the toss and elected to field

Jamaica Final XI: Tamar Lambert (captain), Carlton Baugh Jr, Dave Bernard Jr, Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Odean Brown, John Campbell, Jason Dawes, Damion Jacobs, Horace Miller, Marquino Mindley.

Guyana Jaguars Final XI: Leon Johnson (captain), Vishaul Singh (vice-Captain), Shemron Hetmyer, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Christopher Barnwell, Anthony Bramble (wicket-keeper), Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Keon Joseph, Ronsford Beaton.

Umpires: Christopher Wilson & Gregory Brathwaite

Reserve Umpire: Athol Hamilton

Match Referee: Denovan Hayles

Tweets by @WindiesRegional​

Windward Volcanoes v T&T Red Force

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |

Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

Toss: Volcanoes won the toss and elected to bat

Windward Islands Volcanoes Final XI: Liam Sebastian (captain), Sunil Ambris, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Delorn Johnson, Keddy Lesporis, Mervin Matthew, Kenroy Peters, Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith, Tyrone Theophile.

T&T Red Force Final XI: Rayad Emrit (captain), Jason Mohammed, Evin Lewis, Jeremy Solozano, Yannic Cariah, Khesan Yannick Ottley, Kjorn Ottley, Imran Khan, Steven Katwaroo (wicket-keeper), Shannon Gabriel, Marlon Richards.

Umpires: Lennox Abraham & Verdayne Smith

Reserve Umpire: Francis Maurice

Match Referee: Patrick Felix

Tweets by @WindiesRegional​

Barbados Pride v Leeward Hurricanes

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |

Result: Barbados Pride won by an innings and 190 runs

Toss: Hurricanes won the toss and elected to field

Barbados Final XI: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Tino Best, Carlos Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Kyle Corbin, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Kirk Edwards, Shai Hope, Ashley Nurse, Jomel Warrican.

Leeward Islands Hurricanes Final XI: Devon Thomas (captain), Quinton Boatswain, Rahkeem Cornwall, Jahmar Hamilton, Montcin Hodge, Orlando Peters, Sherwin Peters, Austin Richards Jr, Akeem Saunders, Gavin Tonge, Hayden Walsh Jr.

Umpires: Leslie Reifer Jr & Steve O’Shaughnessy

Reserve Umpire: Kevin Sisnett

Match Referee: Carlyle Carter

Points: Pride 16 (1 batting point + 3 bowling points + 12 for victory), Hurricanes 1 (1 bowling point)

Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Playing Conditions

News On The Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day

View full gallery on Flickr: © WICB Media