Brian Lara (left) in discussion with Kyle Mayers.
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West Indies battling legend and former Test captain Brian Lara is optimistic that the Caribbean side’s inexperienced battling line up can stand tall to the demands as much will be required of them in the Three-Test series against England, which bowls of next Wednesday.
In fact, Lara pointed out that a technical and tactical approach will be integral to West Indies chances, especially given the strength of England’s line up, coupled with their aggressive approach and home conditions at Lord’s, which they will relish.
With that in mind, Lara believes the best way to defend against the opponent’s strengths is to take an attacking approach in the field.
“I think more important is how the bowlers and the captain handle it in the field because we have to stay positive. We have to stay aggressive in terms of having attacking fields, having players in attacking positions, because the way they (England) bat, England are going to have you pushing players out on the boundary – which is what they want,” Lara said during a recent interview with Sky Sports.
“You push your deep cover back or your third man back, your deep backward square back, it creates opportunities for them to get singles – four, five singles an over is actually great scoring. We’ve got to be very technical and tactical in terms of how we approach this series,” he added.
Unlike England, who has upped their game in Test cricket to what has been labelled ‘Bazball’ under Head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, West Indies has been quite the opposite.
England’s alteration has resulted in them now playing an attractive brand of aggressive cricket, particularly with the bat.
West Indies, on the other hand, have been more traditional, and Lara is of the view that the regional side should remain on the same path, instead of attempt to adopt England’s style of play.
“I don’t think first of all, as a batting team, that (aggression) is our style, which actually is a little bit of a negative. If you’re going to come up against a side that’s scoring at five and six runs an over and you’re just going to score at 2.5, three runs an over, that in itself is asking for trouble,” Lara reasoned.
“England is playing a style of cricket that is difficult to beat them, coming from behind. We’ve got to get them out cheaply in the first innings to stay in front of the game. If you get behind England – with the pace they play the game at – it’s impossible to get back into the game,” he noted.
Despite the loss of Kemar Roach to a knee injury, Lara, 55, said he is more concerned about the batting.
“I’m not worried too much about Kemar Roach missing out or the bowling attack. I think the bowling attack is pretty formidable,” he declared.
“I think the batting is where the experience is lacking. They’re trying, the batters are trying, but it’s the fact that, how much experience have they had in English conditions. So I’m hoping we can pull through in that department,” Lara ended.
Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago secure wins in round two of CWI Women’s Rising Stars Under-19 T20 Championship
Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago both secured victories in round two of the 2024 CWI Women’s Rising Stars Under-19 T20 Tournament in Trinidad & Tobago on Saturday.
At the Diego Martin Sporting Complex, leaders Guyana secured a dominant 81-run win over Jamaica.
Guyana made 133-7 from their 20 overs after winning the toss. Naomi Barkoye led the way with 46 off 34 balls while captain Realeanna Grimmond made 31 off 30 balls in support.
Abigail Bryce took 3-22 from four overs for Jamaica.
Danielle Manns then starred with 4-15 from her four overs to help bundle out the Jamaicans for a paltry 52 in just 15.2 overs.
Nyia Latchman took 2-8 from 3.2 overs while Trisha Hardat took 2-11 from two overs.
At the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in St. Augustine, hosts Trinidad & Tobago defeated the Leeward Islands by four wickets.
The Leewards, after winning the toss, were restricted to just 82-8 from their 20 overs.
Captain Jahzara Claxton made a patient 42* off 64 balls to lead the Leewards effort against 2-15 off four overs from Kenika Cassar.
T&T then made a meal of the chase, needing 19.4 overs to reach 83-6. Captain Samara Ramnath led the way with 35 against 2-19 from four overs from Kimberley Anthony.
The match between Barbados and the Windward Islands at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy ended in a no result.
England fighting to 'regain credibility' on the international stage, says Southgate
Gareth Southgate says he is fighting for England to "regain credibility" on the international stage after they reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
The Three Lions edged out Switzerland 5-3 on penalties having seen the game finish 1-1 after 120 minutes, with Bukayo Saka cancelling out Breel Embolo's opener.
Trent Alexander-Arnold scored the winning spot-kick, with Jordan Pickford once again proving his penalty expertise by keeping out Manuel Akanji's effort.
Southgate marked his 100th game as the Three Lions' coach with just the team's fourth shoot-out win, after what was arguably their best display at Euro 2024 so far.
Less than two weeks after cups were hurled in his direction by fans following a goalless draw with Slovenia in the group stage, Southgate was serenaded at full-time as he danced with his players on the pitch.
"Every now and then you think, 'surely there has to be some enjoyment in this job?'," said Southgate.
"So if I can't enjoy that moment, then the whole thing is a waste of time."
The win put England into their third semi-final in four tournaments under his stewardship, and they will face the Netherlands in Dortmund next Wednesday.
Having come under fire for their performances in Germany, Southgate detailed his sole aim when taking the England job back in 2016.
"I love the players, I love being in that moment with them. I took this job to try and improve English football," he said.
"I wanted us to regain credibility on the world stage. So I can't deny that when it's as personal as it's been in the last few weeks on a human level, that's quite difficult.
"But we're fighting. We're not going to stop fighting. As I said, we're in another semi-final and we'll see where we can get to."
Jude Bellingham was one of the five penalty takers entrusted to send England through to the semi-finals.
Bellingham followed Cole Palmer in putting the ball past Yann Sommer, then Saka, Ivan Toney and Alexander-Arnold kept England perfect in the shoot-out.
"These moments are even more special, or only special, if you go on to win the next game and hopefully win the tournament," Bellingham said.
"It's moments like these that you look back on and make it even more worth it. It all becomes worth it if you can back it up and that's what we have to do in the next few days."
"All in all, it's probably our best performance of the tournament. We are very proud of the boys.
"The things you can't always measure and see is character and mentality and we showed that again in the shoot-out. For subs to come on and take a penalty in that pressure is a special, special thing."
Wimbledon: Euros take over Centre Court as Zverev makes Guardiola plea
Pep Guardiola enjoyed the Centre Court action at Wimbledon as Alexander Zverev sought an opportunity to entice the Manchester City manager to Bayern Munich.
Premier League title-winning coach Guardiola turned his attention away from football on Saturday, watching on as Zverev overcame Cameron Norrie in straight sets.
The Man City boss was joined by Arsenal Women and England captain Leah Williamson, as well as cricketing stars Jos Buttler and Joe Root in a star-studded lineup.
Yet Zverev was most interested in pointing out former Bayern boss Guardiola as the fourth seed urged the Spaniard back to Bavaria.
"For me and for all tennis players it's an honour to play on this beautiful Centre Court and in front of the Royal Box, we had so many sporting legends today," Zverev said.
"For me, Pep Guardiola, when I saw Pep I got so nervous for a few games. Thanks a lot for coming, it's a privilege to play.
"Last thing – Bayern Munich needs a coach. If you're tired of football you can coach me on a tennis court any time."
Zverev was not the only one to notice the football, though, as Novak Djokovic acknowledged the Centre Court crowd were following England's Euro 2024 penalty shoot-out victory over Switzerland.
Having lost the first set 6-4, seven-time Wimbledon champion Djokovic was leading 4-1 in the second when fans burst into applause, leaving both players briefly puzzled.
Yet the pair soon realised the crowd were celebrating England's quarter-final win over Switzerland, before Djokovic mimicked a penalty effort towards Alexei Popyrin.
"I assumed it was a penalty shoot-out between England and Switzerland," Djokovic explained after his 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-3) win.
"It felt like for a set and a half the crowd really wanted to understand what the score was in the football match. Did England win in the end? That's why you guys stayed. Congrats to England.
"I tried to shoot a penalty, I'm left-footed, but Alexei defended it well!"
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