In a pioneering effort to prepare the next generation of cricket leaders, title sponsor Kingston Wharves hosted a comprehensive workshop for the captains of the teams that competing in the 2024 Kingston Wharves Under-15 Cricket Competition. The all-day workshop, held on Thursday at Kingston Wharves’ New Port West offices, brought together young captains from across the island, just ahead of the competition’s final between Kensington and Westmoreland at the Ultimate Cricket Ground in St. Ann on Friday.
The workshop was designed to go beyond the boundaries of the cricket field, focusing on essential life skills such as conflict resolution, effective communication, and media interview techniques. These skills are crucial for the development of young cricketers as they progress in their careers and face the demands of modern sports, both on and off the field. The day concluded with a guided tour of the Kingston Wharves port, which was met with enthusiasm by the young participants.
Mark Williams, CEO of Kingston Wharves, emphasized the broader vision behind the initiative. "It's more than just playing the game. Cricket is now a business, and we need to ensure that these young athletes are fully prepared for the world. This means speaking well, having confidence in who they are, and, most importantly, understanding conflict resolution. We may not always agree with an umpire's decision, but we must respect it. Today's workshop is about building leaders and instilling good values in these young cricketers."
The first session, led by Dr. Jayson Downer, a forensic psychologist and founder of Men of God Against Violence and Abuse, centered on conflict resolution. Dr. Downer highlighted the importance of understanding and managing conflict, not just in cricket but in everyday life. "Conflict is a part of daily life, and it's crucial for these young men to learn how to handle it effectively. Whether on the field or in their daily routines, the skills they’ve learned today will be essential as they navigate challenges, including those they may encounter in school."
Ryan Littleton, captain of the Westmoreland cricket team, found the session particularly valuable. "If there's any argument or issue, we can address it within the team. If I can't resolve it, I know I can talk to the coach or manager," he said.
Abraham Waugh, captain of Kensington, who will lead his team against Westmoreland in Friday’s final, echoed Littleton's sentiments. "The workshop really taught me to understand my teammates' perspectives and consider their thoughts, which will be crucial for Friday's match."
The communication and media training session, conducted by well-known media personality Paula Ann Porter-Jones, was lively and interactive, providing the captains with practical skills to manage their interactions with the media confidently.
Oneil Cruickshank, the cricket operations and development manager at the Jamaica Cricket Association, spoke about the workshop's objectives and its future role in the competition. "Ideally, we would have loved to conduct this training for all team levels, but this is a start. We've identified the captains to participate in this workshop as part of our effort to build leadership in these young athletes. The skills they learn here—conflict management, communication, media presentations—are vital and have nothing to do with play. This workshop is timely, and I can confidently say it will become a feature of our pathways program going forward."
The success of this inaugural workshop marks a significant step in the holistic development of Jamaica’s young cricketers, equipping them with the tools necessary for success on and off the field.
West Indies Academy secures first win of the season with 22-run DLS method victory over CCC
The West Indies Academy recorded their first win of the 2024 CG United Super50 Cup season with a 22-run DLS method win over the Combined Campuses and Colleges at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in St. Augustine on Monday.
CCC, who were also seeking their first win of the season, were first dismissed for 174 in 39.5 overs after winning the toss and batting first.
Experienced opener Kieran Powell top scored with 46 off 42 balls including eight fours while Shaqkere Parris made 40 and Johann Jeremiah hit 33.
Jediah Blades continued his good form with the ball this season with 3-23 from six overs and was well supported by Zishan Motara who took 3-31 from his 10 overs.
Joshua Bishop also bowled well with 2-25 from 6.5 overs.
In reply, the Academy were 167-7 off 40.5 overs, 22 runs ahead of the DLS par score when the rain brought an end to proceedings.
Andrew Rambaran and Johann Layne put together a crucial eighth wicket partnership, helping the Academy recover from 118-7 in the 29th over.
Rambaran finished 37* while Layne finished 25* off 28 balls including two fours and two sixes.
Earlier, Rivaldo Clarke top scored with 38. Romario Greaves was excellent with the ball for the CCC with 5-45 from his 10 overs while the other two wickets were split between Akeem Jordan and Abhijai Mansingh.
Full Scores:
Combined Campuses and Colleges 174 off 39.5 overs (Kieran Powell 46, Shaqkere Parris 40, Johann Jeremiah 33, Jediah Blades 3-23, Zishan Motara 3-31, Joshua Bishop 2-25)
West Indies Academy 167-7 off 40.5 overs (Rivaldo Clarke 38, Andrew Rambaran 37*, Johann Layne 25*, Romario Greaves 5-45).
Molineux stars with 64 as Melbourne Renegades Women win second match in a row
Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin’s Melbourne Renegades Women got their second win in a row in the Women’s Big Bash League thanks to a brilliant batting display from captain Sophie Molineux against Adelaide Strikers Women at the Junction Oval in Melbourne on Sunday.
The Renegades, chasing 158 for victory, found themselves 52-5 in the ninth over when Molineux came to the crease to join Dottin.
The pair put on a crucial 79 runs before Dottin fell for 20. Seven runs later, Molineux fell for a match-winning 32-ball 64 including nine fours and three sixes.
Eventually needing six runs off the final over, Nicole Faltum and Sarah Coyte guided the Renegades to victory.
Darcie Brown, Amanda-Jade Wellington and Jemma Barsby took two wickets, each, for the Strikers in their efforts to defend what looked like a match-winning total.
Earlier, captain Talia McGrath led the way with 64 off 44 balls including eight fours and a six while Orla Prendergast supported well with 31 as the Strikers made 157-5 from their 20 overs after winning the toss.
Molineux took 2-39 from her four overs while Georgia Wareham and Alice Capsey split two wickets. Matthews and Dottin when wicketless in seven overs between them.
Australia recover from middle-order collapse to win Pakistan opener
Australia rallied to overcome Pakistan by two wickets in the first of three one-day internationals between the teams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Roared on by vocal travelling support, Pakistan were in the ascendency when their pacemen dropped Australia from 113-2 to 115-7, with the hosts chasing 204 for victory.
Harif Rauf dismissed three while Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Hasnain also got in on the act to decimate the hosts' middle order.
Naseem Shah had earlier scored 40 off 39 balls to salvage a score of 203 all out for the tourists, but a crucial cameo from captain Pat Cummins got Australia over the line.
Cummins calmly came up with an unbeaten 32 from 31 balls as the hosts sealed victory with 16.3 overs remaining, with even Sean Abbott's error in being run out for 13 failing to inspire a change in the momentum.
Bowler Mitchell Starc told ABC Grandstand after the match: "We probably didn't like that Patty and I had pads on, but it's a positive start to the summer.
"A win is a win no matter how you get there."
Data Debrief: Cummins leads from the front
Cummins' unbeaten 32 may not go down as his most memorable knock in ODIs, but it did equal his best innings for Australia in the format.
That proved crucial after Matthew Short (1), Jake Fraser-McGurk (16), Marnus Labuschagne (16), Aaron Hardie (10) and Glenn Maxwell (0) disappointed with the bat.
Australia, who have won both of their ODI series versus West Indies and England since lifting the World Cup in 2023, can now seal a series triumph in Adelaide on Friday.
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