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• 'A disservice to regional cricket': TCA president John slams BCA and GCB for skipping CWI governance reform meeting

  As discussions continue about the absence of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) from the recent Cricket West Indies (CWI) governance reform meeting, Tobago Cricket Association (TCA) president Kerwin John believes both did a disservice to regional cricket.

  The absence of the BCA and GCB, two of the six territorial boards, halted progress on implementing recommendations from the 2020 Wehby report as a quorum was not met.

  Both GCB and BCA subsequently stated their rejection of the Wehby report—drafted by Jamaican business mogul Don Wehby—and objection to CWI’s failure to facilitate a discussion on changing the system of appointing a president.

  John, through a Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) release on Friday, condemned the actions of the BCA and GCB, describing their absence as detrimental to regional cricket and to CWI's efforts to implement much-needed reforms.

  "The BCA and the GCB did a great disservice to regional cricket by their shocking action, which can be only described as a dereliction of duty and a betrayal of the trust placed in them by the people who put them in office," the TTCB release stated.

  The Wehby report, which proposes modernizing CWI's governance framework, also includes key proposals such as term limits, term durations for the president and vice president, and other measures to strengthen board governance.

  CWI emphasized that due notice for the meeting had been issued on November 13, in line with its Articles of Association. This marked the second time the BCA and GCB failed to attend such a meeting, the first being in 2021.

  John, who was re-elected for a sixth consecutive term as TCA president last month, criticized the motives behind the absence.

  "It was surprising to many that the BCA and the GCB would go to such lengths to make the CWI, to which they belong, look bad in the eyes of the West Indian public and indeed the international cricket community. The desperate move by the two dissident stakeholders is doomed to failure," John said.

  His comments echo those of fellow CWI director Arjoon Ramlal, who recently accused the BCA and GCB of attempting to "stymie the progressive push reform overwhelmingly sought by the other members and CWI board."

  However, John affirmed CWI’s resolve to push forward with its governance reforms, despite the setbacks.

  "The CWI under Dr. Shallow will remain committed to placing cricket first and not give in to selfish and ulterior inclinations, judging from the support we have received for governance changes from all across the Caribbean, including the public in Barbados and Guyana,” the statement ended.

• Potts: Stokes is an inspiration to England

  England bowler Matthew Potts described Ben Stokes as an inspiration after he bowled 23 overs on the first day of the third Test against New Zealand.

  Stokes, 33, has overcome knee surgery and a hamstring injury in the last 14 months and bowled his most overs in an innings for over two years as his England side chase a whitewash series victory in Hamilton.

  The tourists put their hosts into bat and reduced them to 315-9 on day one, with captain Stokes claiming the wicket of Matt Henry late on, thanks in large part to a sensational catch from Harry Brook, after bowling more overs than any of his team-mates.

  Fellow Durham man Potts said: "Massive plaudits to the skipper, he can be really proud of his efforts.

  "He leads the team by example. He probably won't want to take the credit but when we see him doing special things like that, it motivates you to put in that extra 1% for the team.

  "He bowled three long spells there and one of them was eight overs of bouncers."

  England's day  pic.twitter.com/fanCLiEpqg

  — England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 14, 2024

  Potts returned to the side in place of Chris Woakes for the third Test and impressed in his own right, with the key wicket of Kane Williamson among his three scalps on day one.

  The 26-year-old has been in and out of the England team since debuting in 2022 but is happy to remain patient for more consistent opportunities.

  He said: "I enjoy every moment being part of this squad. There are always jobs I can be doing, helping out.

  "The competition for places is really high and that's a great thing for the team. These things happen. You travel around a little bit and don't play, then you get an opportunity."

  England will be aiming to wrap up the New Zealand innings quickly on day two before getting to work with the bat on what looks a good pitch.

  Potts said: "It's in the balance. The pitch played better throughout the day and started to look like a decent batting wicket.

  "We were excellent. We persevered with the ball and in the field and stuck at it in the heat."

• Seamers lead the way as England hit back after strong New Zealand start

  Gus Atkinson and Matthew Potts spearheaded England's bowling attack as New Zealand reached stumps on day one on 315-9.

  Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to field at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Saturday.

  That decision appeared to have backfired when Black Caps openers Tom Latham and Will Young put on 105 between them, before the latter was dismissed on 42 as Atkinson made the breakthrough.

  Potts (3-75) subsequently dismissed Latham (63), before Rachin Ravindra (18) was sent packing by Brydon Carse (2-78).

  Kane Williamson (44) was Potts' second wicket, and that dismissal at the end of the 59th over sparked a mid-order collapse.

  Daryl Mitchell (14), the dangerous Tom Blundell (21) and Glenn Phillips (five) fell to Atkinson, Carse and Potts respectively.

  Harry Brook took a spectacular catch in the deep to take out Matt Henry from Stokes' bowling, flicking the ball up while he negotiated the boundary rope before securing it when he was back on the right side of the line, with Tim Southee (23) the final wicket of the day to fall for New Zealand, as Atkinson finished play on 3-55.

  Mitchell Santner heads into day two unbeaten on 50, with Will O'Rouke at the other end, as New Zealand will look to push on towards the 350 mark.

  Data Debrief: England must buck a trend 

  New Zealand are undefeated in their last four men's Tests at Seddon Park when they have batted first in the match (W3 D1).

  In fact, they have not lost at the venue when batting first since March 2012 against South Africa.

  Their innings started well, but England showed resilience to fight back, with Potts - selected ahead of Chris Woakes - one of their standout seamers, albeit the excellent Atkinson, who took a hat-trick in the second Test, closed out day one with the best figures.