West Indies coach Phil Simmons and Captain Kraigg Brathwaite have both backed wicketkeeper/batsman Joshua Da Silva to return to form during the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka later this month.
In nine Tests, the 23-year-old Trinidadian has scored 372 runs at an average of 23.25 and has two half-centuries to his credit. He made his debut against New Zealand in Wellington in December 2020, making 57 in the West Indies second innings.
Scores of 42, 20, 92 and 20 followed against Bangladesh in February this year as well as 46 against Sri Lanka in March.
The 42 was made in the first innings of the first Test at Chattogram during a 99-run sixth-wicket stand with Jermaine Blackwood and his second innings 20 was made in a 100-run sixth-wicket stand with Man of the Match Kyle Mayers.
In the second Test at Dhaka, Da Silva made 92 and featured in a sixth-wicket partnership of 88 with Nkrumah Bonner which was followed by a seventh-wicket partnership of 118 with Alzarri Joseph, notwithstanding that latter’s contribution of 71 as the West Indies secured a 2-0 series win.
Since that time, Da Silva’s form has dipped significantly.
He had scores of 1 and 20 in the second Test against Sri Lanka in March and followed in June with a disastrous series against South Africa against which he had scores of 0, 9, 7 and 0 and then 21, 13, 6 and 15 against Pakistan in August.
However, his form away has been more encouraging averaging 39 while his home average is just under 14.
Asked during a recent press conference, asked whether he was concerned about the form of his wicketkeeper, who has played major roles in match-winning partnerships in Bangladesh earlier this year, Simmons said the good news is that Da Silva seems to bat better away than at home.
“A dip like that is always a concern but his away form is a lot better than his home form so we hope that that is not a coincidence and that that is a strength of his, so we are away now and hopefully he lives up to how he started the year. Hopefully, he finishes the year like that,” Simmons said.
Brathwaite, meanwhile, believes Da Silva would see a return to form with the right type of support from the team's leadership.
“He has been doing a superb job in times before with some very important partnerships. One of the keys to situations like this, for me, is making sure you have good communication with him, just let him know that he can do it, it’s as simple as that and for him to believe in himself,” Brathwaite said.
“I know he is fully capable of doing well. Obviously, we all go through little slumps. We all still learning as players but I think he has been putting in some good work and we look forward to him doing well.”
The first Test begins at the Galle International Stadium on November 21.
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
GCB, BCA issue joint statement on absence from CWI governance vote: “CWI continues to ignore the voice of its shareholder representatives and full members”
The Guyana Cricket Board and Barbados Cricket Association issued a joint statement on Friday explaining their absence from the critical Cricket West Indies governance vote scheduled for earlier in the day.
The meeting, announced on November 13, 2024, was expected to focus on structural adjustments to CWI’s governance, including term limits for the President and Vice President, enhanced accountability measures, and other steps to modernize the organization’s framework.
The meeting, convened to deliberate on reforms recommended in the Wehby Report, required the presence of all Full Member shareholders to proceed.
Commissioned in 2019, the Wehby Report outlines a roadmap to reform CWI’s governance by promoting transparency, accountability, and alignment with global best practices. Key recommendations include restructuring the Board of Directors, modernizing operations, and enhancing stakeholder engagement.
While the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), Leeward Islands Cricket Board (LICB), Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), and Windward Islands Cricket Board (WICB) were present, Guyana formally indicated its non-attendance, and Barbados did not provide a response.
This marks the second instance of both entities abstaining from such meetings, the first occurring in 2021.
Both the GCB and BCA issued a joint statement on Friday clarifying their decision to not attend the meeting.
“There are and were no convincing reasons for BCA and GCB to support the sought changes/amendments to the Articles of the existing Memorandum & Articles of Association. Also, the proposed changes/amendments lack clarity in the form as presented and, for that matter, how they will benefit the Company in consideration of its multiple stakeholder base,” the statement read.
Additionally, the statement outlines that the BCA submitted proposed changes to the structure on two separate occasions, with no response on either.
“Previously, at the twenty-fifth CWI Annual Meeting of Members, held on 23rd March 2024, the BCA proposal was to stop the infighting through electioneering at CWI and said proposal was supported by GCB.”
“The current system for electing a President and Vice President provides for horse-trading and nepotism. The CWI proposed amendments do not include the BCA/GCB proposal as an option for members to discuss or vote on. CWI continues to ignore the voices of its shareholder reps and Full Members.”
The statement went on to outline that both territorial boards rejected the proposals of the Wehby Report on the basis that “it seeks to relinquish power from the territorial boards and is further seen given recent decisions at CWI.”
Proposals in the Wehby Report include increasing the fixed term for the President and Vice-President from two to three years while limiting each to two terms and territorial boards having one director each instead of two.
There would also be three additional directors coming from a nomination process out of the six territorial representatives. The report also suggests that two of those directors be women.
“In recent years, the Secretariat of the Company has on occasions, either forgot or ignored or failed to acknowledge the historical status of and the contribution made by its Full Members. Without want of curtailing zeal beyond boundaries, such habitual culture must reverse in the interest of progress,” the statement concluded.
Starc hails Australia's 'grit and determination' after career-best display
Mitchell Starc praised Australia's "grit and determination" after they skittled India out for 180 on the first day of the day-night second Test in Adelaide.
The left-arm fast bowler produced a career-best 6-48 with the pink ball to make light work of the Indian batting line-up as the hosts asserted control.
Australia then ended the first day on 86-1, just 94 short of India's first innings total, as they look to bounce back from a 295-run defeat in the opening Test in Perth.
The 35-year-old gave Australia the upper hand from the get-go by trapping India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal in front of the stumps in the first ball of the game.
Starc also accounted for the wickets of top-order batters KL Rahul (37) and Virat Kohli (31) before wrapping up the innings with three more in the end, including that of India's top scorer Nitish Kumar Reddy (42).
"It was a good day all round. We were a fraction wide in the first hour but after that we were bang on with the ball," Starc told ABC at the conclusion of play.
"With the pink ball you are never out of the game in terms of it doing something. There might be periods when it doesn't do as much, but then it might start doing things. But not a lot of what I do changes.
His previous best in Test cricket was the 6-50 he took against Sri Lanka at Galle in August 2016. Starc now has 72 wickets in day-night Tests - 29 more than the next-best bowler Nathan Lyon on 43.
Jasprit Bumrah (1-13) sent back Australia opener Usman Khawaja but Nathan McSweeney remains unbeaten on 38, and he will have the company of Marnus Labuschagne, on 20, when the play resumes on day two.
"To get batting on day one and go to stumps with grit and determination was fantastic, in what are the most difficult conditions in pink-ball cricket. If we have a successful first session on day two, we hold the cards," Starc said.
Barbados and Guyana’s absence derails critical CWI governance vote
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has been forced to postpone a pivotal vote on governance reform after representatives from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) failed to attend the meeting, leaving the body without a quorum.
The meeting, convened to deliberate on reforms recommended in the Wehby Report, required the presence of all Full Member shareholders to proceed. While the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), Leeward Islands Cricket Board (LICB), Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), and Windward Islands Cricket Board (WICB) were present, Guyana formally indicated its non-attendance, and Barbados did not provide a response. This marks the second instance of both entities abstaining from such meetings, the first occurring in 2021.
CWI President Dr. Kishore Shallow expressed disappointment at the absence of two critical stakeholders at such a decisive moment for the future of West Indies cricket:
"It is deeply disappointing that representatives from Guyana and Barbados did not see the importance of being present at this crucial juncture. Governance reform is critical to ensuring our organization’s growth, sustainability, and ability to inspire pride across the region. Their absence undermines the collective effort required to move forward."
The meeting, announced on November 13, 2024, was expected to focus on structural adjustments to CWI’s governance, including term limits for the President and Vice President, enhanced accountability measures, and other steps to modernize the organization’s framework.
Commissioned in 2019, the Wehby Report outlines a roadmap to reform CWI’s governance by promoting transparency, accountability, and alignment with global best practices. Key recommendations include restructuring the Board of Directors, modernizing operations, and enhancing stakeholder engagement.
Despite progress on some fronts, the implementation of these reforms has faced delays, exacerbated by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed changes are widely regarded as essential to securing the long-term viability of cricket in the Caribbean.
Dr. Shallow emphasized the critical importance of the reforms: "This meeting was not just about structural changes; it was about safeguarding the future of cricket in the Caribbean. Change is never easy, but it is absolutely necessary. We must demonstrate to the cricketing world and our stakeholders that we are committed to improving and evolving as an organization."
CWI will now seek written responses from its members on the proposed resolutions. While this setback complicates the process, President Shallow reaffirmed CWI’s commitment to the reform agenda:
"The responsibility to lead and inspire rests with all of us. While today’s outcome is a setback, it will not deter us from our mission to transform West Indies cricket. I encourage all stakeholders to prioritize the greater good of the game and come together to ensure we continue to build an organization that every Caribbean citizen can be proud of."
CWI’s leadership remains committed to implementing the Wehby Report recommendations and is exploring alternative pathways to ensure these essential reforms move forward. The absence of Guyana and Barbados highlights the challenges of fostering unity within the organization but also underscores the urgency of achieving consensus for the betterment of West Indies cricket.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
