West Indies T20 opening batsman Brandon King is confident ahead of the team’s upcoming series against New Zealand and ready to draw on his previous experiences against the team.
The Windies will be eager to bounce back from a difficult loss in the previous series against India, but could also find the going tough against a full-strength New Zealand, the world’s 5th ranked team.
New Zealand has won the last two series against the West Indies both taking place in New Zealand. King took part in the last series but scored just 24 runs in the three matches. Against India, however, the player tallied a decent 101 runs in three matches.
“They’re a world-renowned team, their bowling attack is very good, but I have played them before so I have that experience to draw on,” King told members of the press on Tuesday.
“I think my game has also improved. I’m in a better place to face the challenges, so I back myself.”
Former West Indies bowler Winston Benjamin has reached out to Indian great Sachin Tendulkar to help fix grassroots cricket in the Caribbean through the donation of equipment.
In a video on YouTube shared by veteran sports journalist Vimal Kumar on his channel, Benjamin says he has contacted well-known cricket figures in India to help the issue.
Benjamin, who represented the West indies in 21 tests and 81 ODIs between 1986 and 1995, says doesn’t need financial donations; he is happy to receive something as simple as cricket bats or other equipment that he can help distribute to aspiring players in the area.
“Previously, we used to have a tournament in Sharjah where it used to be like a benefit game for players from different countries. I don’t want benefits. All I want is for somebody to say ‘here is some equipment’ – 10-15 bats, that is good enough for me. I don’t want 20000 US dollars. I just want some equipment so that I can give back to youngsters. That’s all I am asking.”
Benjamin also asked Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar while thanking former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin.
“Mr. Tendulkar if you are in a position, could you assist me? Hit me up,” he said.
“I would like to thank my good friend Mohammad Azharuddin. He sent me some equipment over. Azhar, congratulations! And thank you so much for that assistance. Stay in touch. Anyone else who wants to contribute, feel free,” Benjamin added.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Monday expressed gratitude to Deandra Dottin for her valuable contributions and her numerous outstanding performances during her stellar 14-year career as a member of the West Indies Women’s Team. The dynamic allrounder announced her retirement from international cricket, last week.
“On behalf of all here at CWI, I want to congratulate Deandra on what has been an outstanding career covering almost a decade-and-a-half, during which time she has contributed immensely to Barbados and West Indies cricket. Her outstanding achievements on the field of play are a testament to her dedication, commitment and hard work which were the hallmark of her approach to the game. We wish her all the success possible in her future endeavours,” said CWI Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams.
Courtney Walsh, West Indies Women’s Head Coach said, “Deandra is one of the most athletic and dynamic players in the history of Women’s cricket and I want to take this opportunity to congratulate her on what has been 14 years of performance excellence for the West Indies. During my time as Head Coach, I have been able to see her brilliance up close on the field, and she always gave it everything.”
Dottin made her international debut in Ireland in June 2008 and was a fixture in the team in both One-Day Internationals and T20 Internationals since. She played 143 ODIs and 124 T20Is for West Indies. She is a three-dimensional player as a powerful batter, brisk medium-fast bowler and livewire in the outfield, which enabled her to quickly rise to be rated among the best allrounders in the history of the women’s game.
In One Day Internationals (ODIs) she made 3,727 runs, with a top score of 150 not out and took 72 wickets with best figures of 5-34. In T20 Internationals (T20Is) she made 2,681 runs with two memorable centuries and also took 62 wickets with best figures of 5-5. Her finest hour came when she was part of the West Indies team which defeated Australia to win the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title in Kolkata in April 2016. She also had one of the most memorable feats in cricket history which catapulted her to stardom when she made her maiden T20I century – 112 not out off 45 balls against South Africa in St. Kitts in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2010.
Ravi Bishnoi claimed career-best Twenty20 International figures as India thrashed West Indies by 88 runs in Fort Lauderhill to win the series 4-1.
Shreyas Iyer top scored with 64 off 40 balls and Deepak Hooda made 38 as India posted 188-7 in the final match of the series in Florida on Sunday,
The Windies were skittled out for 100 in reply, with all 10 wickets falling to spinners for the first time in a T20I.
Bishnoi took 4-16, while Axar Patel (3-15) and Kuldeep Yadav (3-12) also capitalised on West Indies' batting frailties as Shimron Hetmyer (56) scored over half of their runs.
India were not fazed by losing Ishan Kishan early on, Iyer and Hooda putting on 76 for the second wicket to put them on course to an imposing total.
Iyer finally fell to Jason Holder after Hayden Walsh saw the back of Hooda, but captain Hardik Pandya made a brisk 28 before he was run out by Odean Smith.
Smith (3-33) claimed his third scalp by sending Axar (9) packing in the final over, but the Windies were soon in big trouble in the run chase.
Axar bowled Holder for a duck with the third ball of the innings before getting Shamarh Brooks (13) stumped and the tweaker also cleaned up Devon Thomas (10) in the fifth over.
Kuldeep stepped up to remove West Indies skipper Nicholas Pooran, reducing the Windies to 50-4, before Bishnoi trapped Rovman Powell (9) and Keemo Paul (0) lbw with successive balls.
Hetmyer was running out of partners as the procession of wickets continued, with the left-hander falling to Bishnoi, who then finished off the job by getting Obed McCoy caught in the deep.
India put Windies in a spin
Bishnoi was outstanding as the Windies failed a trial by spin, with Axar and Kuldeep also tormenting Pooran's side.
The excellent Bishnoi took four wickets for the first time in the shortest format at international level, ending the series on a high note.
Iyer shows his class
With such competition for places in a T20 World Cup year, Iyer gave another exhibition of his class.
He struck two sixes and another eight boundaries, setting India on their way to a total that was far too many for the Windies.
The Cricket West Indies (CWI) Women’s Selection Panel on Sunday announced the West Indies Women’s U19 squad for their upcoming five-match T20 International (T20I) Series against USA Women’s U19. The two teams will meet at the Broward County Stadium in Florida from 8 to 14 August.
The 12-member squad will be led by Ashmini Munisar with Shalini Samaroo as the vice-captain. The selectors originally named 15 players but three were unable to secure visas to make the tour. Munisar is a right-handed batter and off-spinner, while Samaroo is a left-handed batter and off-spinner.
The team has a number of other exciting all-rounders that include Djenada Joseph, who was the leading run-maker in the CWI Rising Stars U19 T20 tournament played last month. The most experienced player is Zaida James, the left-handed batter, who was travelling reserve for the West Indies Women’s Senior team earlier this year. Last year she represented West Indies Women’s “A” Team against Pakistan's “A” Team.
Steve Liburd has been appointed head coach. Liburd is a former Leeward Islands batsman and West Indies Men’s U19s assistant coach. Merissa Aguilleira, the former West Indies Women’s captain, is the team manager.
Both teams have qualified for the inaugural ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup taking place in South Africa in January 2023 and this upcoming series will be ideal preparation for the global event.
“History has been created with the selection of this West Indies Under-19 team. No cricket tournaments were played during the pandemic, and it was therefore not only important, but also an eye-opener to view the girls in the recent U19 tournament,” said Ann Browne-John, Lead Selector for West Indies Women.
“The selectors were extremely pleased with the quality of skill shown by these young players. The team has a good mix of batting and bowling including some left-handers.
“There are a few players including the captain Ashmini Munisar and Djenaba Joseph who recently played major roles for their senior teams in the regional tournament in Guyana. This series as well as a few other planned upcoming events would help the players in their development thrust as they prepare for the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in January.”
The first two games will be held under floodlights at 6:30 pm starting on Monday 8 August and Tuesday 9 August. The remaining three matches in the series will all be daylight games with 10:30 am starts on Thursday 11 August and Friday 12 before the fifth and final match of the series on Sunday 14 August.
FULL SQUAD: Ashmini Munisar (Captain), Shalini Samaroo (Vice-Captain), Asabi Callender, Najanni Cumberbatch, Realeanna Grimmond, Zaida James, Djenaba Joseph, KD-Jazz Mitchell, Ashley Ramnath, Samara Ramnath, Shunelle Sawh, Kate Wilmot.
MATCH SCHEDULE: 8 August: 1st Women’s U19 T20I – 6:30 pm (5:30 pm Jamaica); 9 August, 2nd Women’s U19 T20I – 6:30 pm (5:30 pm Jamaica), 11 August, 3rd Women’s U19 T20I – 10:30 am (9:30 am Jamaica), 12 August, 4th Women’s U19 T20I – 10:30 am (9:30 am Jamaica),14 August: 5th Women’s U19 T20I – 10:30 am (9:30 am Jamaica).
England international Moeen Ali does not believe the hectic cricket schedule is sustainable.
Moeen, who has previously filled in as England's captain in T20Is and was named as vice-captain for the tour of West Indies earlier this year, retired from Test cricket in 2021.
The 35-year-old wanted to focus on the limited-overs formats, and more players seem to be faced with the decision of sacrificing one for the other.
In part, this has been put down to the tight and congested nature of the cricketing calendar, with tours scheduled between high-profile tournaments such as the Indian Premier League, the Big Bash League and, in England, The Hundred. There is also the small matter of another T20 World Cup coming up later this year in Australia.
England's new Test captain Ben Stokes has made a similar decision, giving up white-ball cricket to focus on the long format, while he skipped The Hundred alongside team-mate Jonny Bairstow this year.
"At the moment it's not sustainable," Moeen told reporters when asked about his concerns over the schedule.
Moeen also believes that 50-over matches are most vulnerable.
"Something has to be done because I fear losing the 50-over format in a couple of years because it's almost like the long, boring one," said the all-rounder, who is the captain of Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred.
"There's no importance given to it at the moment.
"International cricket in all three formats is by far the best cricket to play, but I do worry there are so many tournaments out there that players are retiring more now, and you'll see more retiring soon, because of overlapping schedules."
The West Indies suffered a crushing 59-run defeat to India in Lauderhill on Saturday, falling to an unassailable 1-3 series deficit in the process.
After winning the toss and electing to field first, the hosts felt the wrath of the Indians from the outset with openers Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav speeding to 53 without loss after just 4.4 overs before Sharma was dismissed for a 16-ball 33 including two fours and three sixes.
Yadav’s dismissal for 24 in the sixth over then paired Deepak Hooda and Rishabh Pant who added a further 47 before Hooda’s wicket fell for 21 in the 12th over to leave the score on 108-3.
Pant went on to top-score with 44 before his dismissal in the 15th over. Sanju Samson (30 not out), Axar Patel (20 not out) and Dinesh Karthik (6) then combined to put the finishing touches on a fine effort with the bat for India, ending 191-5 from their 20 overs.
Alzarri Joseph was the pick of the bowlers for the Windies with 2-29 from his four overs.
The hosts then struggled throughout their reply thanks to some excellent bowling by India and some questionable decision-making by the batsmen.
Brandon King (13) and Kyle Mayers (14) both got starts but fell cheaply while captain Nicholas Pooran sprinted to 24 off just eight balls before he was run out after a mix-up with Mayers.
Rovman Powell with a quick 24, Shimron Hetmyer (19) and Jason Holder (13) were the only other batsmen to reach double-figures as the Windies struggled to a paltry 132 all-out after 19.1 overs.
Arshdeep Singh led the way for the Indians with 3-12 from 3.1 overs while he got good support from Avesh Khan (2-17) and Ravi Bishnoi (2-27).
Barbados and West Indies captain Hayley Matthews has said she had no indication that Deandra Dottin was planning to retire from international cricket midway through the Commonwealth Games, and is planning to discuss the matter with her team-mate now that their campaign in Birmingham is over.
Matthews, who was appointed as West Indies captain in June, said she was as surprised as anyone by Dottin's shock announcement via Twitter on Monday, citing concerns over the team environment.
"Thankful to Deandra for everything she's done for West Indies cricket," said Matthews said when asked about her reaction to Dottin's decision.
"She's obviously been a wonderful player for us over the last couple of years, and it's sad to see her go, but at the same time if it's something that she's ready for, then supporting her 100%," she added.
Matthews said she hadn't spoken to Dottin before the announcement and that she had "no interpretation" of Dottin's comments about the team culture and environment.
"I'm obviously down here representing Barbados and everything, so probably not looking to speak too much on that at the moment," the skipper said on Wednesday after her side suffered a 100-run defeat against India in their final Group A game. "But yeah, I definitely would have a chat with her and see how things go," she added.
Barbados won their opening match of the Commonwealth Games against Pakistan by 15 runs before losing by nine wickets to gold-medal favorites Australia on Sunday.
The following day, Dottin published a letter addressed to Cricket West Indies on Twitter announcing her "formal retirement from the senior women's West Indies team effective 1st July 2022".
A shot-filled half-century from Kyle Mayers was not enough to prevent a 7-wicket loss for the West Indies as India, pushed on by an equally forceful reply from Suryakumar Yadav, won the third T20 international with an over to spare.
After losing the toss and being put in to bat, Mayers and Brandon King got the team off to a solid start, in the power play, after a 57 partnership for the first wicket. Although by taking 20 deliveries to make his 20, King somewhat slowed down the scoring rate.
Hardik Pandya got the breakthrough for India when King, deceived by a slower ball, dragged onto the stumps. Mayers then joined forces with captain Nicholas Pooran for another 50 partnership pushing the team to 107. Pooran was then undone by a delivery from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, which he miscued before being gobbled up by Pant. The Windies captain used 23 balls for his 22 runs.
The same pair, Kumar, and Pant, combined to finally account for Mayers, as well, as he top-edged to Pant from a slower ball. Rovman Powell and Shimron Hetmyer made brief cameos of 23 and 20, and briefly accelerated the scoring but were kept in check by India’s bowling line-up.
In pursuit, India got off to a flyer despite Rohit Sharma retiring hurt in the second over and Shreyas Iyer struggling after coming in next at the crease. The innings was fueled by Yadav’s aggression with his 76 runs off 44 balls putting the match out of reach for the West Indies. India now leads the five-match series 2-1 after three games.
South Africa will not risk any complacency when they face Ireland in this week's two-match T20I series, Aiden Markram has promised.
The Proteas are in the midst of their all-formats tour of England, and after beating Jos Buttler's team in a three-match T20I series, they face an Ireland side that is still winless in a T20I series under new coach Heinrich Malan, who goes up against his home nation.
Ireland came close to famous wins against both India and New Zealand, but they have lost their last six T20Is, which is tied for their longest losing run in the format, while they have already suffered defeat in eight T20Is in total this year.
South Africa played Ireland in 2021, drawing an ODI series but comfortably winning the three T20Is.
Markram, however, is not taking anything for granted ahead of Wednesday's opener in Bristol, as South Africa look to gear up for this year's World Cup, with the Proteas only playing India in the shortest format in between this series and heading to Australia.
"It will definitely be a new, exciting challenge for us," he told reporters. "We played them quite recently in Ireland and we saw exactly what they could do.
"They are improving series by series, we saw them against India, and they are a team you can't take for granted."
South Africa do not go into this with their first-choice squad, with injuries to captain Temba Bavuma and paceman Kagiso Rabada.
Markram though is among the players eager to stake a claim ahead of the World Cup.
"The communication has been really good from coach, management team and captain," said Markram, who has been the top scorer for South Africa in eight T20Is since the beginning of 2020.
"It makes it easier to understand why they are [rotating players]. Building up to World Cups you want to pick your best squad and it's important to give guys fair opportunities before you select the team."
Tector tipped to flourish
Harry Tector is likely to be key for Ireland. He is reportedly drawing interest for Cricket South Africa's new T20 league, meaning he has a real chance to impress any would-be suitors, having scored 384 runs across 14 ODIs at an average of 76.40 this year, and 249 in nine T20Is.
Tector said: "We've shown that when we stand up to these teams, we are capable of going blow-for-blow with them, and it feels that way within the group. The belief is there that we can beat these big teams, and not get nervous about any team we play."
Catching practice required
Since the beginning of 2021, no team has dropped more catches in men's T20Is than South Africa (40), who have managed a catch success rate of 79 per cent during this period
Quinton de Kock does not buck that trend, as since the start of 2020, he has dropped more catches than any other wicketkeeper.
England have recalled Ollie Robinson for their upcoming Test series against South Africa.
Robinson has dealt with a series of ailments since last playing for the Test team in the Ashes in January.
The seamer was beset by back spasms at the start of the English summer and later contracted coronavirus, also dealing with dental issues.
Now, though, Robinson will return to a group transformed by the leadership of new coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.
Robinson was reportedly set to play only for the Lions team, before an injury to Jamie Overton created a space in the main team.
He is part of a 14-man group, which also includes Matthew Potts, a beneficiary of Robinson's absence earlier in the year.
Although Potts keeps his place, Sam Billings has made way with Ben Foakes' return from COVID-19.
England will play three Tests against South Africa, although this initial squad was confirmed only for the two August matches.
England Test squad to play South Africa:
Ben Stokes (Durham, captain), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Jack Leach (Somerset), Alex Lees (Durham), Craig Overton (Somerset), Matthew Potts (Durham), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Joe Root (Yorkshire).
Obed McCoy and Brandon King played starring roles as the West Indies secured a five-wicket victory over India in the second of five T20 Internationals at Warner Park in St. Kitts on Monday.
After winning the toss and electing to field first, the hosts had a brilliant outing with the ball to restrict the Indians to 138 all out, their lowest first innings total in T20Is in the West Indies.
Hardik Pandya (31), Ravindra Jadeja (27) and Rishabh Pant (24) were the main contributors for the tourists as Obed McCoy ripped through the Indian line-up to finish with figures of 6-17 from four overs, the best by a West Indian in T20 internationals.
Jason Holder provided most support to McCoy with 2-23 from 3.4 overs.
In the Caribbean side’s turn at the crease, opener Brandon King made a crucial 68 to orchestrate a somewhat tricky yet successful chase in the end.
The Windies were cruising at one point, finding themselves 71-2 at the fall of captain Nicholas Pooran’s wicket in the 10th over.
Things got tricky at that point thanks to some tight bowling from the Indians that saw the wickets of King, Shimron Hetmyer (6) and Rovman Powell (5) all fall within overs 13 and 19 to eventually leave the West Indies needing 17 off 10 balls with Devon Thomas and Odean Smith at the crease.
At the start of the final over, the hosts needed 10 runs for victory and things got much easier when Avesh Khan started the over with a no-ball.
Thomas then proceeded to hit the resulting free-hit for six to leave the Windies needing just two from five. He then hit a boundary off the next ball to finish 31 not out off 19 balls and complete the five-wicket victory for the hosts to tie the series 1-1.
The Cricket West Indies (CWI) Senior Men’s Selection Panel today announced the squads for the West Indies “A” Team series against Bangladesh “A” Team to be played at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia from 4 to 20 August. The two teams will play two four-day first-class matches followed by three 50-over matches.
Joshua Da Silva, the wicket-keeper/batter, will lead the team in both formats, with Andre Coley as the Head Coach. The squads feature several players with international experience, as well as others who have graduated from the CWI Rising Stars U19 and CWI Emerging Players teams.
Speaking ahead of the series, Lead Selector the Most Hon. Dr Desmond Haynes said: “We stated from very early that we would look to give the opportunities to players and broaden the pool. The ‘A Team’ programme is a very good thing for West Indies cricket and CWI must be complimented for ensuring that we have these matches back up and running and arranging these games in Saint Lucia.”
Haynes added: “The squad is selected for us to have a closer look at the players in the longer format and also 50-over format as we have a lot of international cricket around the corner. We want to give the players exposure and the chance to play ‘A Team’ cricket and President’s XI matches as we had earlier this year as it is vital and much needed.
“Joshua has done quite well so far in his Test career, and we believe he will be a good leader for both formats. We also have a few others in the squads who have played at the international level and performed reasonably well, so we want to see them grow even more and this series against the visitors from Bangladesh will present that golden opportunity.”
The four-day matches will start at 10am (9am Jamaica Time) and the limited-overs matches will start at 9:30am (8:30am Jamaica Time). LIVE ball-by-ball scoring of each game will be available through the www.windiescricket.com match centre while CWI will be LIVE streaming via the Windies Cricket YouTube channel.
FULL SQUADS
Four-day “Tests”
Joshua Da Silva (Captain)
Colin Archibald
Alick Athanaze
Yannic Cariah
Keacy Carty
Tagenarine Chanderpaul
Bryan Charles
Justin Greaves
Tevin Imlach
Shermon Lewis
Jeremiah Louis
Marquino Mindley
Anderson Phillip
Jeremy Solozano
One-Day 50-overs
Joshua Da Silva (Captain)
Alick Athanaze
Teddy Bishop
Yannic Cariah
Tagenarine Chanderpaul
Justin Greaves
Tevin Imlach
Shermon Lewis
Jeremiah Louis
Preston McSween
Marquino Mindley
Anderson Phillip
Kevin Sinclair
Shamar Springer
West Indies Women all-rounder Deandra Dottin has announced her shock retirement from international cricket in a post on Twitter on Sunday.
“Please accept this letter as my formal retirement from the senior Women’s West Indies team effective 1st July 2022,” she wrote in a letter to Cricket West Indies.
Dottin, one of the most destructive players in world cricket, cited mainly the environment around the team for her sudden retirement.
“This announcement has come with much contemplation as cricket has always been a passion of mine. However, when the fire burns out, one has to take time to reassess their commitment,” said the 31-year-old.
“There have been many obstacles during my cricket career that I have had to overcome, however, the current climate and team environment has been non-conducive to my ability to thrive and reignite my passion,” she added.
The Barbadian then expressed gratitude towards Cricket West Indies, saying “I am appreciative of the opportunities afforded to me and I have ruminated on my decision over a period of time. Playing for the West Indies and representing the region has been an honor.”
“During my 14 years as a player, I have trained at my best and grown as a player physically, mentally and emotionally. It is the combination of this growth that has assisted me in reflecting on what is truly important to me. With much sadness but with out regret, I realize that I am no longer able to adhere to team culture and team environment as it has undermined my ability to perform excellently.”
Dottin ends her international career having played 143 One-Day Internationals and 126 T20 Internationals since her debut in 2008.
She scored 3727 runs at an average of 30.54 with three hundreds and 22 fifties in ODIs and 2697 runs at an average 25.93 with two hundreds and 12 fifties in T20Is.
Matthew Mott and Jos Buttler have agreed England's Twenty20 International series defeat to South Africa was "a line in the sand moment".
Mott was recently appointed England's new limited-overs head coach, with Buttler newly installed as white-ball skipper.
But the pair have not enjoyed the sort of strong start seen in the Test arena under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes.
England lost ODI and T20I series' to India, both 2-1, before facing South Africa.
A three-match ODI series was drawn, but Buttler's men then let slip a 1-0 lead in the T20Is to lose again.
England looked to be on the right path with their opening 41-run win, only for subsequent reverses by 58 and 90 runs to prompt serious concern.
Following that latest dismal defeat, Mott was not shying away from the need for vast improvement.
"I've just spoken to Jos very briefly, and this is a line in the sand moment for the team," the coach told Sky Sports.
He added: "We were down on confidence with bat and ball. It was disappointing.
"I thought we put ourselves in a good position to win the series, and we'll have take a lot out of that game."
This sequence of underwhelming results comes ahead of a T20 World Cup at the end of the year, too.
"It's been a bit of a struggle," Mott told BBC Sport. "We've had ups and downs throughout the summer.
"We've played two great teams and come out second both times, so we're disappointed."
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