'Baby steps for Windies batsman' - Blackwood convinced team's batsmen improving day by day

By Sports Desk August 19, 2021

West Indies batsman Jermaine Blackwood is confident the team is on the way to providing more consistent performances at the crease, despite recent displays of inconsistent form.

The Windies scored a  dramatic win over Pakistan to take a 1-0 lead in the ongoing two-Test series.  The match featured typically robust performances from the team’s bowlers with Jayden Seales ending with 125 for 8 and Kemar Roach 5 for 77.

With the bat, there were solid performances from captain Kraigg Brathwaite, Jason Holder, and Blackwood but elsewhere in the batting order, the concentration and execution on display from the line-up sparked cause for concern.  For Blackwood, however, it remains a work in progress and a hurdle that the unit will get over sooner or later.

“We are making improvements, baby steps.  It’s just the process, we are working hard as a batting unit, even though we did not get the scores we wanted,” Blackwood told members of the media on Wednesday.

"I see this unit is in a good place and on pace to do well for all the people of the West Indies, themselves and their families, and every day that we go to train we put in 150 percent,” he added.

Since the start of the year, Blackwood has himself struggled with the bat, averaging 22.92 in 7 Test matches played.  So far, he has a high score of 68.

 

 

 

Related items

  • Cricket Victoria confirms squad for Global Super League Cricket Victoria confirms squad for Global Super League

    Cricket Victoria has unveiled a formidable squad for the upcoming ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL), set to debut at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence from November 26 to December 7. With the lure of a $1 million prize, five international franchises – the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Hampshire Hawks, Lahore Qalandars, Rangpur Riders, and Victoria – will compete in a series of 11 T20 matches. Cricket Victoria's squad, brimming with a mix of seasoned internationals and promising talent, will aim to make a mark in this inaugural tournament.

    Leading the charge for Victoria will be top-order stalwart Jon Wells, whose experience will be invaluable in high-stakes moments. Joining him is USA international Corey Anderson, known for his powerful hitting and versatility. English batsman Joe Clarke and West Indies wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton add further strength to the lineup, bringing their unique skill sets to an already diverse team.

    Adding to the international flair, Victoria will feature a trio of USA players: all-rounder Sanjay Krishnamurthi, off-spinner Karima Gore, and fast bowler Juanoy Drysdale, each poised to showcase their T20 prowess on the global stage. Also rounding out the squad are pace options David Moody and Max Birthesal, alongside wicketkeeper Scott Edwards and emerging talents Blake McDonald, Farzan Chowna, Carmi Le Roux, and Callum Stow.

    With a tight schedule of group-stage matches ahead, Cricket Victoria is setting its sights on finishing in the top two to earn a place in the final on December 7. In this first-ever GSL tournament, they’ll have to battle through a talented field to compete for the title and the considerable prize, hoping to cement their place in GSL history.

     

  • Harpy Eagles left frustrated by weather once again in Super50 Cup no-result against Scorpions Harpy Eagles left frustrated by weather once again in Super50 Cup no-result against Scorpions

    Guyana Harpy Eagles were forced to settle for another frustrating no-result in the CG United Super50 Cup as persistent rain at Queen's Park Oval halted their match against Jamaica Scorpions on Thursday.

    It’s the second time this season that the Harpy Eagles seemed well on their way to victory, only to have weather derail their efforts. This time, the Scorpions were struggling at 162-6 after 41.3 overs when the rain made its appearance, leaving the match unfinished and denying the Harpy Eagles a chance to secure another much-needed win.

    Captain John Campbell’s 53 and Jermaine Blackwood’s unbeaten 63 provided the only notable contributions in the Scorpions innings, as a steady performance from the Harpy Eagles’ bowlers kept them in check.

    Campbell’s 65-ball knock had three fours and two sixes, while a watchful Blackwood faced 91 balls in his unbeaten knock, which included six boundaries, but things seemed well-poised for another potential Harpy Eagles victory before the weather had the final say. Ashmead Nedd took 2-23 from 10 overs.

    This follows another contest earlier in the campaign against Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners, where the Harpy Eagles were in command before rain played spoilsport.

    Still, the former champions remain firmly in contention for a semi-final berth, as this no-result moved them to third place on the table with 28 points. Trinidad and Tobago Red Force currently lead with 37 points, followed closely by Barbados Pride with 31.

    Meanwhile, Leeward Islands Hurricanes slipped to fourth with 27 points, while the Scorpions sit in fifth with 25 points. West Indies Academy (16 points), Windward Islands Volcanoes (10 points), and Combined Campuses and Colleges (10 points) complete the table.

    Despite the setbacks, the Harpy Eagles should still fancy their semi-final chances and, by extension, their chances to lift the Super50 Cup title for the first time since 2005. Like the Scorpions and others, they will be hoping that they can avoid the unpredictable weather to possibly secure positive results in their remaining matches.

  • Jangoo hits 70* as Red Force hammer West Indies Academy by nine wickets to move to top of points standings Jangoo hits 70* as Red Force hammer West Indies Academy by nine wickets to move to top of points standings

    Hosts and defending champions, the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, moved to the top of the table in the CG United Super50 Cup with a dominant nine-wicket win over the West Indies Academy at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in St. Augustine on Thursday.

    The Red Force first dismissed the Academy for a subpar 135 off 34.2 overs after winning the toss and putting them in to bat.

    Yannic Cariah was the pick of the bowlers with 4-37 from 8.2 overs and was well supported by fellow spinners Khary Pierre and Bryan Charles who took 3-14 from eight overs and 2-23 from seven overs, respectively.

    Joshua Bishop and Rivaldo Clarke were the main scorers for the Academy with 31 and 30, respectively.

    The hosts then needed only 26.1 overs to reach 136-1 and secure their third win in four games.

    Amir Jangoo top scored with 70* off 78 balls, backing up his 96 scored against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes, while Kjorn Ottley supported well with 42*.

    Full Scores:

    West Indies Academy 135 off 34.2 overs (Joshua Bishop 31, Rivaldo Clarke 30, Yannic Cariah 4-37, Khary Pierre 3-14, Bryan Charles 2-23)

    Trinidad & Tobago Red Force 136-1 off 26.1 overs (Amir Jangoo 70*, Kjorn Ottley 42*)

    The Red Force now have 37 points from four games to lead the points standings.

    The rest of the points standings are as follows: Barbados Pride (31 points from three games), Leeward Islands Hurricanes (27 points from four games), Guyana Harpy Eagles (25 points from four games), Jamaica Scorpions (20 points from three games), West Indies Academy (16 points from four games), Windward Islands Volcanoes (10 points from three games), Combined Campuses and Colleges (10 points from three games).

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.