AndreBaptiste.com BLOG

The Premier Sports info pages of Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies. This blog is linked to www.andrebaptiste.com

Monday, March 23, 2009

West Indies Team for 3rd and 4th Digicel ODIs

The West Indies selectors have named the following players for the third and fourth Digicel One-Day Internationals against England at Kensington Oval on Friday, March 27 and Sunday, March 29.

 

1. Chris Gayle (Captain)

2. Denesh Ramdin (Vice Captain)

3. Lionel Baker

4. Dwayne Bravo

5. Shivnarine Chanderpaul

6. Fidel Edwards

7. Nikita Miller

8. Keiron Pollard

9. Ravi Rampaul

10. Dale Richards

11. Darren Sammy

12. Ramnaresh Sarwan

13. Lendl Simmons

 

STAFF: Omar Khan (Team Manager), John Dyson (Head Coach), David Williams (Assistant Coach), C.J. Clark (Physio), Steve Folkes (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Richard Berridge (Analyst), Philip Spooner (Media Officer), Virgil Browne (Massage Therapist)

 

Please see below itinerary for Digicel One-Day Series

 

March 20: 1st Digicel One-Day International

At National Stadium, Providence, Guyana: England won by 1 run (DL Method)

 

March 22: 2nd Digicel One-Day International

At National Stadium, Providence, Guyana: West Indies won by 21 runs

 

March 27: 3rd Digicel One-Day International

At Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados

 

March 29: 4th Digicel One-Day International

At Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados

 

April 3: 5th Digicel One-Day International

At Beausejour Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia

CHANDERPAUL OUTSHINES STRAUSS AS WINDIES LEVEL DIGICEL SERIES

CHANDERPAUL OUTSHINES STRAUSS AS WINDIES LEVEL DIGICEL SERIES

 

Sunday, March 22 – Providence Stadium, Georgetown, Guyana:  Shivnarine Chanderpaul hit a brilliant unbeaten 112 here Sunday as the West Indies overcame a spirited century from England skipper Andrew Strauss to defeat the visitors by 21 runs in the 2nd Digicel One-Day International at the National Stadium at Providence.

 

Chanderpaul, much honoured since his return to his homeland, got fluent support from fellow Guyanese Ramnaresh Sarwan in front of a flag-waving capacity crowd of 15,000. They inspired the home team to a challenging 264 for eight off 50 overs.

 

The 34-year-old Chanderpaul, who became the third West Indian (after Brian Lara and Desmond Haynes) to pass 8,000 ODI runs, hit ten fours off 134 balls in his 10th century at this level.

 

The in-form Sarwan contributed an eye-catching 74 off 89 deliveries. The 28-year-old right-hander lashed four fours and two sixes.

 

Strauss anchored England’s pursuit with a fine 105 off 129 balls but the West Indies took wickets at regular intervals and England fell short as they were bowled out for 243 off 48.2 overs.

 

Dimitri Mascarenhas’ 29 was the second top-score as the home team’s medium pacers produced another disciplined performance.

 

Dwayne Bravo claimed two for 40 off nine overs and fellow Trinidadian Kieron Pollard took the vital wicket of Strauss towards the end on his way to two for 46.

 

Darren Sammy again contributed an immaculate quota of 10-1-36-1.

 

The West Indies also produced two run outs that helped seal England’s fate and level the five-match Digicel Series at 1-1 heading to Barbados.

 

The hosts were rocked early on by pacer James Anderson after Captain Chris Gayle won the toss and batted first for the first time this international season.

 

Both openers were back in the hut at 24 for two in the sixth over.

 

Lendl Simmons fell for a duck, opening the face and edging a simple catch to wicket-keeper Matt Prior. Gayle, after looking dangerous in blasting four fours in 20 off 20 balls, reached for a wide delivery and chopped onto his stumps.

 

Sarwan and Chanderpaul gradually revived the innings in a partnership of 133 in 29.3 overs.

 

England should have claimed the prize scalp of Chanderpaul on 27 but Prior grassed a catch standing up to Mascaernhas’ medium pace with the total at 80 for two.

 

Sarwan was the more adventurous as Chanderpaul set anchor.

 

The 28-year-old right-hander lofted sixes in successive overs off Gareth Batty and Mascarenhas to lift the tempo.

 

Sarwan’s half century arrived off 58 balls and he seemed to be motoring to yet another century off England when Anderson returned to cut him short in the first over of the Batting Powerplay.  Sarwan, trying to clear the off side, miscued a lofted drive to mid-off.

 

Chanderpaul dominated the rest of the innings but the lower order failed to lend much assistance.  He dominated a stand of 49 off 31 balls for the fourth wicket with Kieron Pollard, who made just eight, while Dwayne Bravo (19) helped add 31.

 

But the West Indies lost crucial wickets in the closing overs and, even with Chanderpaul as the guide, could only muster 57 off the last ten overs.

 

Anderson took three for 37 while the medium pace of Paul Collingwood (three for 49) and Mascarenhas (two for 53) also proved tricky.

 

The West Indies bowlers also began strongly as Ravi Bopara and Kevin Pietersen were despatched cheaply at 36 for two.

 

Bopara was bowled off the inside edge by Lionel Baker while Pietersen fell similarly to Fidel Edwards.

 

Strauss, dropped twice by Sammy – a difficult second skip chance before he had scored and a more regulation return catch at 28 – restored parity in a fifty stand with Owais Shah.

 

Once Bravo accounted for Shah, plumb leg before, and Collingwood, bowled by a beauty of an in-swinger, the West Indies had a grip they were never to relinquish.

 

Sammy further dented visiting hopes as Prior was snared by opposite number Denesh Ramdin at 97 for five in the 23rd over.

 

The lower order rallied around Strauss but the run out of Mascarenhas, after a diving stop by Gayle, was crucial.

 

Stuart Broad and Gareth Batty followed soon afterwards and England looked dead and buried at 185-8.

 

Strauss never gave up and he and Steve Harmison breathed life into the chase by adding 44 for the ninth wicket.

 

Pollard plucked out Strauss’ leg stump soon after he completed his third ODI century and then finished the match by castling last man James Anderson.

 

Saturday, March 21, 2009

COACH & CAPTAIN RUE VITAL MISCALCULATION

COACH & CAPTAIN RUE VITAL MISCALCULATION

 

Saturday, March 21 – Providence Stadium, Georgetown, Guyana:  West Indies coach John Dyson and captain Chris Gayle were disappointed men after a miscalculation led to a narrow one-run defeat to England on the Duckworth/Lewis system in the 1st Digicel One-Day International at Providence on Friday.

 

Australian Dyson admitted the decision to call off his batsmen - even though his team were behind on the D/L sheet - was his blunder: “It’s extremely disappointing. It was getting dark. It would have been nice to be ahead by one run.

 

“I thought we were ahead of the Duckworth/Lewis when in fact we were behind by one. It’s my responsibility. That’s it,” he said after the match.

 

“I accept responsibility for it. I apologized to the team. That’s all I can do. It’s a bad mistake.”

 

Gayle said he hoped to learn from that error: “We are very disappointed in the way things went.  But it’s a learning process and we’ll learn. Hopefully next time we can double or triple check.

 

“The coach decided it was in our favour so we decided to call the guys in. But in the end, when we checked it, it was one run behind. But it actually cost us the game there.”

 

Gayle stressed it was important to look forward rather than dwell on the past: “In the end, it was just one of those things. We still have a game on Sunday. So hopefully, we can just put this behind us as quickly as possible and let us focus on Sunday.

 

“It’s hard. We wanted to keep England on the down. but there is nothing we can do at this point in time. We have to accept it and move on.”

 

Dyson was also keen to look forward to the 2nd Digicel One-Day International at the same venue on Sunday: “Yes, that’s my mistake today and it’s a terrible mistake but there are still four games left and we’ll back up tomorrow (Saturday) and get on with the job.”

Friday, March 20, 2009

MEDIA RELEASE -- WICB President to meet with WIPA and Players

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has announced that President Dr Julian Hunte and other members of the Board will be meeting with members of the West Indies Team and representatives of the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) in Barbados on Tuesday, March 24.

 

Dr Hunte also indicated that the 11th round of matches in the WICB’s Four-day Tournament for the George Headley/Everton Weekes Trophy will start on Saturday, March 21.

 

The matches are: Trinidad and Tobago against the Windward Islands at Arnos Vale in St Vincent, Barbados against the Leeward Islands at North Stars in Barbados, and Jamaica against Combined Campuses and Colleges at Sabina Park in Jamaica.

Monday, March 16, 2009

West Indies Team for 1st and 2nd Digicel ODIs in Guyana

The West Indies selectors have named the following players for the first and second Digicel One-Day Internationals against England at Guyana National Stadium, Providence on Friday, March 20 and Sunday, March 22.

 

1. Chris Gayle (Captain)

2. Denesh Ramdin (Vice Captain)

3. Lionel Baker

4. Dwayne Bravo

5. Shivnarine Chanderpaul

6. Fidel Edwards

7. Nikita Miller

8. Keiron Pollard

9. Daren Powell

10. Darren Sammy

11. Ramnaresh Sarwan

12. Lendl Simmons

13. Devon Smith

 

Note: Jerome Taylor has a left calf strain and is unavailable for selection.

 

Please see below full tour itinerary for England in the West Indies for the Digicel Series 2009:

 

February 4-8: 1st Digicel Test

At Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica: West Indies won by an innings and 23 runs

 

February 13-17: 2nd Digicel Test

At Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua: abandoned

 

February 15-19: 3rd Digicel Test

At Antigua Recreation Ground, St John’s, Antigua: match drawn

 

February 26 to March 2: 4th Digicel Test

At Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados: match drawn

 

March 6-10: 5th Digicel Test

At Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad: match drawn

 

March 15: Digicel T20 International

At Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad: West Indies won by 6 wickets

 

March 20: 1st Digicel One-Day International

At National Stadium, Providence, Guyana

 

March 22: 2nd Digicel One-Day International

At National Stadium, Providence, Guyana

 

March 27: 3rd Digicel One-Day International

At Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados

 

March 29: 4th Digicel One-Day International

At Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados

 

April 3: 5th Digicel One-Day International

At Beausejour Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

West Indies Team for Digicel T20 International

West Indies Team for Digicel T20 International

 

The West Indies selectors have named the following players for the Digicel T20 International against England at Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad on Sunday, March 15.

 

1. Denesh Ramdin (Captain)

2. Lionel Baker

3. Sulieman Benn

4. Dwayne Bravo

5. Shivnarine Chanderpaul

6. Fidel Edwards

7. Andre Fletcher

8. Keiron Pollard

9. Darren Sammy

10. Ramnaresh Sarwan

11. Lendl Simmons

12. Devon Smith

13. Jerome Taylor

 

Please see below full tour itinerary for England in the West Indies for the Digicel Series 2009:

 

February 4-8: 1st Digicel Test

At Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica: West Indies won by an innings and 23 runs

 

February 13-17: 2nd Digicel Test

At Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua: abandoned

 

February 15-19: 3rd Digicel Test

At Antigua Recreation Ground, St John’s, Antigua: match drawn

 

February 26 to March 2: 4th Digicel Test

At Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados: match drawn

 

March 6-10: 5th Digicel Test

At Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad: match drawn

 

March 14: vs West Indies Players Association XI

At Guaracara Park, Point-a-Pierre, Trinidad

 

March 15: Digicel T20 International

At Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad

 

March 20: 1st Digicel One-Day International

At National Stadium, Providence, Guyana

 

March 22: 2nd Digicel One-Day International

At National Stadium, Providence, Guyana

 

March 27: 3rd Digicel One-Day International

At Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados

 

March 29: 4th Digicel One-Day International

At Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados

 

April 3: 5th Digicel One-Day International

At Beausejour Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia

NASH CENTURY REWARD FOR HARD WORK

NASH CENTURY REWARD FOR HARD WORK

 

Tuesday, March 10 –Port of Spain, Trinidad:  Brenden Nash’s maiden Test century on day four of the 5th Digicel Test against England was the culmination of a long road of travel and tough grind for the Australian-born West Indies left-hander.

 

“It’s been many years of hard work,” the 31-year-old Nash said after play. “To finally get the opportunity to be there on 98 and 99 was very nervous but I finally got there in the end so I was pretty happy with that obviously.”

 

Nash was brought up in Australia and spent the early part of his first-class career with Queensland (from 2000-2006) before he made the difficult decision to head to Jamaica, the island of his parents Paul and Andrea to further his cricket opportunities in the summer of 2007.

 

He swiftly moved through the ranks and made his West Indies debut last August and now, has shown he belongs at the highest level.

 

Nash, whose wife Hannah was here to witness his landmark moment, said it was all about making the most of your ability: “I’m not the most gifted player and naturally talented or stroke-playing, free-flowing player but I work with what I have and hopefully it pays off on the day.

 

“When I get the opportunity to bat, I like to stay out there as long as I can, even if I’m not scoring runs. If I’m doing a job for the team then that’s what it’s about. That’s something I’ve built my game around.”

 

Nash century came as he shared a record fifth wicket partnership with veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who notched his 21st test hundred.

 

“Obviously, Shiv and I had to work together and sort of build a partnership,” Nash said. “It’s very easy to do with him. He likes to bat time and that’s something I’ve learnt from him and hopefully continue to do so in the future.

 

“He makes the game look simple and that gives you a bit of confidence at the other end. He’s doesn’t look like he’s going to get out so you can just play your game and go from there.”

 

Nash said that the West Indies were prepared for a tough last day as England pushed for a series-leveling victory: “England have come out like they want to play for a result. We’re going to be on our toes and try to restrict the scoring early tomorrow.”

 

He also did not discount a West Indies win should England declare and set an enticing target: “We haven’t spoken about it but obviously we’ve got some pretty good hitters in our side and some fast-scoring batsmen so any target we’ll have to assess it at the time and go from there.

 

“It’s a lot easier with the newer ball. As the ball gets a bit older, it obviously spins a bit more and that will come into play.  We’ve really got to watch when we get our opportunity to bat and make sure we really have a game plan in mind and we stick to it.”

 

 

CHANDERPAUL & NASH HIT CENTURIES AS WEST INDIES SNIFF SERIES WIN

CHANDERPAUL & NASH HIT CENTURIES AS WEST INDIES SNIFF SERIES WIN

 

Monday, March 9 – Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad: Obdurate left-handers Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Brendan Nash collected fine centuries here Monday as the West Indies moved within touching distance of a rare series win with one day remaining in the 5th and final Digicel Test at the Queen’s Park Oval.

 

The home team, replying to England’s formidable first innings of 546 for six declared stretched their overnight 349 for four to 544 all out on the back of Chanderpaul’s typically un-fussed 147 not out and Nash’s excellent 109.

 

The 34-year-old Chanderpaul’s 21st Test century spanned 361 balls and 522 minutes and included 13 fours and a six.

 

The 31-year-old Nash, in his seventh test, cracked 17 fours off 257 deliveries in 329 minutes as he passed three figures for the first time at this level.

 

England, trailing 0-1 in the Digicel Series, showed they were prepared to chase an unlikely victory on Tuesday by racing to 80 for three off 15 overs before the close, an overall lead of 82 runs.

 

Dangerman Kevin Pietersen led the way with an unbeaten 34 off 27 balls.

 

Earlier, Nash and Chanderpaul stalled England in the opening session as they stretched their fifth wicket stand to a ground record 234, eclipsing the 1953 mark of 219 between Everton Weekes and Bruce Pairaudeau against India.

 

Chanderpaul, inconvenienced by a sore groin, batted with typical doggedness but survived two uneasy moments before he passed three figures.

 

The first was early in the day when, on 56, the Guyanese feathered to wicket-keeper Matt Prior who floored the chance off the unlucky Monty Panesar.

 

The second came just after lunch when, on 92, he was given out caught behind off Graeme Swann by umpire Daryl Harper. Chanderpaul challenged the decision and, despite flaky evidence, was given a reprieve when TV umpire Aleem Dar advised Harper to overturn his original decision.

 

Those two moments failed to shake Chanderpaul’s resolve and he calmly collected another century, his first at the Queen’s Park Oval and his fifth against England.

 

Between Chanderpaul’s reprieves, Nash reached his own meaningful landmark, off 234 balls, with a clipped double to the leg side. It was the Aussie-born Jamaican’s sixth first-class century following three for Queensland and two for the island of his parents soon after he moved to the Caribbean late in 2007.

 

The pair took lunch at 433 for four but England’s bowlers were rewarded for a whole-hearted effort after the break as they claimed three wickets in the second session.

 

Nash fell to his first delivery after the interval, slicing a drive at fast bowler Stuart Broad to third slip.

 

Ryan Hinds (23) and Denesh Ramdin (15) shared useful partnerships with the immovable Chanderpaul but failed to carry on.

 

Hinds hit a six and two fours but never suggested permanence. He eventually was stumped as he missed a swing to leg off Graeme Swann.

 

Ramdin was undone by the reverse swing on James Anderson, plumb LBW playing back to an in-swinger.

 

The West Indies dipped swiftly after taking tea at 519-7.

 

Captain Chris Gayle returned despite a strained hamstring, batting with a runner, and showed an aggressive mindset. But he could add only two to his even 100 before his opposite number Andrew Strauss clung on to a sizzling drive at short extra cover off Swann.

 

Fidel Edwards (8) edged Broad to the wicket-keeper before Swann removed last man Lionel Baker for a duck to sneak a first innings lead of two for England.

 

Broad took three for 67 and off-spinner Swann earned three for 130. Anderson was probably the best of England’s attack but only claimed one for 70. Panesar claimed two for 114.

 

England’s intentions were clear from the time they began their second innings with an hour and 15 minutes remaining.

 

They lost three wickets chasing the game as the TV review system, in its trial phase, again failed another test.

 

Captain Andrew Strauss survived a blatant edge to wicket-keeper Ramdin off Baker, both on-field umpire Harper and TV man Dar somehow failing to pick up the distinct sound and obvious deflection.

 

Strauss (14) failed to make use of the let-off as he chipped a return catch to Gayle.

 

Owais Shah (1) followed a run later, this time a clear edge off Baker picked up by Harper.

 

But before the end, another TV review sent Alastair Cook (24) on his way, caught behind off Ryan Hinds.

 

Pietersen already with three fours and a six carried the tourists’ hopes of quick runs into Tuesday’s final day although Edwards’ fiery bouncer off the last ball of the day reminded the England ace it would not all be plain sailing.

 

 

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Mexico announces strong U-20 team for Qualifiers

The Mexican Soccer Federation revealed the 20-player roster that will try and help Mexico's Under-20 team qualify for the Under-20 World Cup.

Of the 20 players, 13 have played in the Primera Division. The clubs that sent the most players are the Guadalajara-based clubs: Chivas, Atlas and Tecos (who are technically based in Zapopan, a suburb of Guadalajara).

Among the teams without any players on the roster are America, Cruz Azul, San Luis and Santos Laguna.

Mexico will arrive at te  CONCACAF U-20 less than a month after  their new coach Juan Carlos Chavez replaced  Jesus Ramirez, who resigned to take over as manager of Mexico City club America.

 

The Mexicansi won 10 CONCACAF U-20 titles between 1962 and 1992, and has qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup 10 times, (second most in CONCACAF). Mexico finished runner-up at the 1997 U-20 World Cup in Tunisia was the first CONCACAF nation to host the FIFA event in 1983.

 

Mexico faces Costa Rica from 4pm at the Marvin Lee Stadium on Saturday  before clashing with Canada on Monday and hosts T&T on Wednesday at the Marvin Lee Stadium.

Mexican Roster

Goalkeepers: Liborio Vicente Sánchez (Chivas), Miguel Ángel Centeno (Toluca).

Defenders: Juan Antonio Ocampo (Chivas), Daniel Montes (Chivas), Néstor Vidrio (Atlas), Christian Sánchez (Atlas), Carlos Alberto Gutiérrez (Atlas), Oswaldo Pantoja (Tecos).

Midfielders: Marco Fabián De la Mora (Chivas), David Cabrera (Pumas), Néstor Calderón (Toluca), César Martínez (Monterrey), Luis Pérez (Necaxa), Luis Fernando Silva (Morelia).

Forwards: Antonio Salazar (Chivas), Julio César Nava (Chivas), Javier Cortés (Pumas), Axel Velázquez (Atlas), Arnhold Rivas (Tecos), Jesús Alberto Dueñas (Tigres).

Monday, March 02, 2009

SPECIAL SARWAN AND RAMDIN SET UP MAMMOTH WEST INDIES TOTAL








SPECIAL SARWAN AND RAMDIN SET UP MAMMOTH WEST INDIES TOTAL

Sunday, March 1 – Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados: Ramnaresh Sarwan stretched his 14th Test century into a memorable, career-best 291 and Denesh Ramdin finally registered his maiden hundred as the West Indies amassed 749-9 declared to claim a first innings lead of 149 and leave them with a outside chance of forcing victory on Monday’s last day of the 4th Digicel Test at Kensington Oval.

England, after confidently declaring their first innings on 600-6, were six without loss in their second innings at the close on day four and facing a nervous fifth day.

The day belonged to Sarwan, who resumed on 184, and Ramdin, overnight 25, as they carried their sixth wicket partnership to 261 and the home team within sight of England’s formidable total before being separated.

The 28-year-old Sarwan was as fluent as he was on Saturday, racking up 30 fours and two sixes before he fell tantalizingly short of joining Brian Lara (twice), Sir Garry Sobers, Chris Gayle and Lawrence Rowe as West Indian triple centurions. The Guyanese right-hander’s innings spanned 452 deliveries and 699 minutes.

Ramdin, who has played 33 Tests consecutively since his debut in July 2005, produced a magnificent 166, the second highest score by a West Indian wicket-keeper (behind Sir Clyde Walcott 168 not out against England at Lord’s in 1950).

He was watched in the stands by his father Diaram and produced a unique celebration on passing three figures, going into his pocket to reveal a note that thanked his countrymen Ian Bishop and David Williams, both former Test players, and batting partner Sarwan.

Former fast bowler Bishop, now in the commentary box, had sought out Ramdin before the match to remind him of his immense ability while Williams, now assistant coach, has worked tirelessly with the 23-year-old in the past several years.

After resuming on 398 for five, Sarwan and Ramdin batted throughout the morning session to dull any England thoughts of pushing for victory.

There was one early alarm from a run out chance before Sarwan brought up his second test double hundred with a flailing cut over the slips for his 21st four.

Soon afterwards, England used up their final TV referral for an optimistic leg before appeal against Sarwan from Ryan Sidebottom but the pair rarely played a false shot after that.

They almost saw their side to tea, and past England’s score, but Sarwan fell to the third new ball as Sidebottom produced an in-swinger that snuck through to cannon into the stumps off the inside edge at 595 for six.

Ramdin and Jerome Taylor further flayed the visitors in a sixth wicket stand of 77 off 92 balls.

Taylor was as assured as Ramdin, blasting three sixes, two of them hooked into the Greenidge and Haynes Stand at square leg, and six fours in 53 off 62 balls.

Taylor eventually fell to the persevering Swann, who wrapped up his second five-wicket haul of the series when Ramdin was bowled driving to spark a late declaration by Chris Gayle.

In between, James Anderson claimed Sulieman Benn for 14 to a top-edged pull.

Swann took five for 165 from 50.2 overs while Anderson, who ran in with purpose throughout the innings, was rewarded with three for 125.

England’s openers, captain Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook, safely negotiated two overs before stumps.