Office of the Prime Minister of Grenada
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has extended its heartfelt congratulations to Sir Clive Lloyd, the legendary former West Indies captain, who was conferred with the prestigious Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC) at the 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), held in Grenada on Sunday, 28 July, 2024.
Dr. Kishore Shallow, President of CWI, attended the opening ceremony, where Sir Clive Lloyd was recognized for his extraordinary contributions to cricket and his enduring legacy as a leader and ambassador of the sport.
"On behalf of Cricket West Indies, I am immensely proud to extend our warmest congratulations to Sir Clive Lloyd on being conferred with the Order of the Caribbean Community," said Dr. Shallow. "This honor is a fitting tribute to a man who has not only exemplified excellence on the cricket field but has also been an unwavering pillar of inspiration and leadership for the Caribbean and the world. Sir Clive’s contributions to cricket and his dedication to the development of the sport are truly unparalleled."
Sir Clive Lloyd, who captained the West Indies team to two consecutive World Cup victories in 1975 and 1979, has been a towering figure in the cricketing world. His achievements have left an indelible mark on the history of the game, and his influence extends far beyond his playing days and the cricket boundary, as he continues to inspire future generations of cricketers.
Dr. Shallow further remarked, "Sir Clive’s legacy is one that resonates deeply with every West Indian. His leadership, determination, and sportsmanship have set the standard for what it means to be a true champion. This recognition by CARICOM is a testament to his enduring impact on our region and the sport of cricket. We are honored to celebrate this moment with him."
The OCC is the highest honor bestowed by the Caribbean Community, recognizing individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the development and integration of the region.
Sir Clive Lloyd’s receipt of this honor underscores his role as a unifying figure and a beacon of Caribbean pride.
Roach included in Windies Championships XI squad to face South Africa in warm-up match
Fast bowler Kemar Roach represents the most experienced figure in a West Indies Championship XI squad that includes a number of young prospects set to engage South Africa in a warm-up match from July 31 to August 3.
Roach, 36, who missed the just-concluded three-match Test series against England due to a knee injury, now has the opportunity to prove his fitness to possibly break back into the Kraigg Brathwaite-led team for the upcoming two-match Test series against the Proteas scheduled to begin on August 7.
The same is true for the others, namely Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Justin Greaves, who fell out of favour for Test team selection following sub-par performances in Australia earlier this year, as the warm-up match will be their shot at redemption.
Following the Test series, West Indies and South Africa will cross swords in a three-match T20 series starting on August 23.
Cricket West Indies (CWI), in making the announcement, said the warm-up match is a crucial opportunity to also engage several talented players that have either demonstrated consistent performances over multiple seasons or have shown impressive emerging talent.
The selection of these players also forms part of CWI’s strategy to evaluate the readiness of potential squad members for the upcoming West Indies home Test Series against South Africa.
According to CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, the focus is on assessing their battle readiness and potential contributions to the men's Test team.
“We are excited to see these players in action against a formidable South African side. This fixture is a valuable opportunity to assess their readiness and gauge their potential for the upcoming Test series. Each player selected has shown significant promise, and we are eager to see how they perform on this stage,” Bascombe said.
He added that this match will serve as a significant test for these players, providing a platform to showcase their skills and further their case for inclusion in the senior team.
West Indies Championship XI: Justin Greaves (Captain), Keacy Carty (Vice Captain), Jediah Blades, Joshua Bishop, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Bryan Charles, Amir Jangoo, Anderson Phillip, Nial Smith, Jeremy Solozano, Shamar Springer, Isai Thorne, Kevin Wickham, Kemar Roach
Management: Floyd Reifer (Head coach), Ramesh Subasinge (Assistant coach), Jelani Baptise (Physiotherapist), Shayne Cooper (Strength & Conditioning coach), Keshavar Ramphal (Analyst)
Mott steps down as England white-ball coach
England are on the lookout for a new permanent white-ball coach after Matthew Mott stepped down from his role.
Mott took charge of the one-day set-up in 2022, and led England to glory at that year's T20 World Cup.
However, England failed to retain their crown earlier this year, losing to eventual champions India in the semi-finals.
That came after England had faltered in the 50-over World Cup last year, in which they finished seventh in the group stage.
And Mott, who also oversaw series wins over Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan, has now stepped down from his role.
Mott said: "I am immensely proud to have coached the England men's team; it has been an honour.
"We have put everything into trying to achieve success over the past two years, and I am incredibly proud of the character and passion that the team has displayed during that period, including a magnificent T20 World Cup victory in 2022.
"I would like to thank the players, management, and everyone at the ECB for their commitment, support, and hard work during my time. I leave with many great friendships and incredible memories.
"Finally, I would like to thank the England fans, who have always backed us and given us fantastic support wherever we have travelled around the world."
Former England international Marcus Trescothick will take over as interim head coach, and will lead the team for September's series against Australia, which includes three T20Is and five ODIs.
Rob Key, England's managing director, confirmed Jos Buttler will stay on as captain.
He said: "On behalf of everyone connected to England cricket and me personally, I would like to thank Mathew for all he has done for the team since his appointment.
"He can be proud of his achievements as he leaves his post as one of only three coaches who have won a men's World Cup with England.
"After three World Cup cycles in a short space of time, I now feel the team needs a new direction to prepare for the challenges ahead. This decision was not made lightly, but I believe it is the right time for the team's future success.
"With our focus shifting towards the Champions Trophy early next year and the next cycle of white-ball competition, it is crucial that we ensure the team is focused and prepared.
"Marcus Trescothick is well respected in the dressing room and will take charge of team affairs alongside white-ball captain Jos Buttler. Marcus and Jos have a good rapport, and I think their partnership will help us maintain continuity and stability."
Smith, Maxwell star to lead Washington Freedom to 96-run win over San Francisco Unicorns in MLC final
Australians Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell played starring roles to help the Washington Freedom dismantle the San Francisco Unicorns by 96 runs at the Grand Prairie Stadium on Sunday to claim their maiden Major League Cricket title.
Unicorns captain Corey Anderson won the toss and put the Freedom in to bat, a decision he was made to regret in the end as Washington piled up 207-5 from their 20 overs.
Captain Smith starred with a 52-ball 88 including seven fours and six sixes while Maxwell made 40 off 22 balls including one four and four sixes against 2-35 off four overs from Pat Cummins.
The Freedom then produced a dominant performance with the ball as well, dismissing the Unicorns for 111 in 16 overs to claim the title.
Tail-ender Carmi le Roux was the highest scorer in the innings with 20* as Rachin Ravindra and Marco Jansen took 3-23 from four overs and 3-28 from four overs, respectively.
Andrew Tye was also excellent with 2-12 from his two overs.
The Freedom are rightfully champions having suffered only one loss all season.
Full Scores:
Washington Freedom 207-5 off 20 overs (Steve Smith 88, Glenn Maxwell 40, Pat Cummins 2-35)
San Francisco Unicorns 111 all out off 16 overs (Carmi ls Roux 20*, Rachin Ravindra 3-23, Marco Jansen 3-28)
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