Legendary West Indies batsman, Brian Lara, has pointed to a performance that emanated from one of the uglier, darker moments of a largely sparkling career as one of his most memorable.
In one of a few instances the batting star was not greeted by applause and gestures of widespread adoration on his sojourn to the crease, Lara was booed by the Sabina Park crowd when strode out for the second Test of the 1999 Australia tour of the West Indies.
During a tumultuous period for the Windies, the issue for some home fans stemmed from what they believed to be disrespect shown to bowling legend Courtney Walsh in what they deemed to be a hostile takeover of the captaincy by the Trinidadian. Walsh, who was appointed captain in 1994, served as captain for 22 Test matches before being replaced by Lara in 1998. On the back of a heavy loss to Australia in the first Test and having also previously been whitewashed by South Africa, The Prince found himself occupying the unusual status of public enemy.
His response, a classy, shot-filed 213, which would go on to underpin a massive 10 wicket win at Sabina Park to level the series, it must be said, went a long way in lightening the mood.
“Everyone says the 153 was second maybe to Sir Don Bradman’s (Against England at Melbourne in 1936-1937), maybe post-war, one of the better innings, but a week before that I was in Jamaica where we played against Australia in that second Test match,” Lara told 7Cricket.
“We came off scoring 51 in the fourth innings in Trinidad and I stood there in Jamaica, I was given the captaincy for two Test matches, on probation, never before had that happened in the history of West Indies cricket…that 213 in Jamaica was for me (special) in terms of not just batsmanship but my inner strength to come out of that situation I was in,” he went on.
“I was facing expulsion as the captain, of course, I was going to be playing, the captaincy was not that important to me that I wouldn’t play, but the threat of the expulsion and the fact that everyone was sort of jeering against me, in the Caribbean, was just unbelievable.”
West Indies clinch ODI series over England with dominant chase led by Carty and King hundreds
West Indies secured a thrilling eight-wicket victory over England in the third ODI at Kensington Oval on Wednesday, sealing a 2-1 series win. Powered by centuries from Keacy Carty and Brandon King, the hosts chased down England’s 263-run target with ease under the floodlights.
England, after a rough start that left them reeling at 24 for 4, rallied to post a competitive 263 for 8, thanks largely to Phil Salt’s 79 and Dan Mousley’s inventive 57. Jamie Overton contributed a brisk 32 off 21 balls, and Jofra Archer added firepower with an unbeaten 38 off just 17 deliveries. Despite their efforts, the West Indies bowlers had already left a mark, with Alzarri Joseph (2 for 40) and Romario Shepherd (2 for 48) taking key early wickets alongside Matthew Forde’s standout 3 for 35.
In reply, West Indies wasted no time asserting dominance. Brandon King launched into Jofra Archer’s first over, slamming consecutive boundaries to set the tone. Although Evin Lewis was dismissed for 19, King and Carty anchored the innings with a record-breaking 209-run partnership, the highest for West Indies against England in ODI cricket. King, who benefitted from two dropped catches, reached his third ODI hundred before being bowled for 102 with just 13 runs needed. Carty’s unbeaten 128 off 97 balls was a maiden ODI century, making him the first cricketer from St. Maarten to reach three figures for West Indies.
The win, secured with ample overs to spare, highlighted the potent combination of West Indies’ bowling strength and the emerging batting prowess of Carty and King, who have undoubtedly set a high standard for the future of Caribbean cricket.
West Indies quick Matthew Forde joins Rangpur Riders for the 2024 Global Super League
West Indies pacer Matthew Forde has been named in the Rangpur Riders squad for the upcoming 2024 ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL), a T20 showdown set to take place from November 26 to December 7 at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence. This exciting tournament marks the debut of the GSL, featuring five international teams competing for a USD$1 million prize fund over 11 matches.
The Rangpur Riders have assembled a dynamic squad blending experienced Bangladeshi talent with key overseas players. The team includes Bangladesh internationals Nurul Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Afif Hossain, and Mahedi Hasan, all known for their T20 prowess. Additionally, Matthew Forde brings West Indies flavor to the squad, while England’s seasoned campaigners Wayne Madsen and Zak Chappell add valuable experience alongside USA’s Harmeet Singh.
Complementing this core group, the Riders' squad also includes Bangladeshi players Mohammad Saifuddin, Saif Hassan, Rishad Hossain, Arafat Sunny, and Kamrul Islam, ensuring a strong blend of youth and experience.
The 2024 Global Super League, featuring teams from Guyana Amazon Warriors, Hampshire Hawks, Lahore Qalandars, Rangpur Riders, and Victoria, will showcase global T20 talent in its inaugural edition, with each team vying for the championship title. The competition promises a thrilling spectacle for cricket fans, with Rangpur Riders setting their sights on making an impact in the tournament’s opening chapter.
Cavalier field seven players in Concacaf Caribbean Cup semis Best XI
Jamaican champions Cavalier FC had a number of standout performances in the recently-concluded Concacaf Caribbean Cup semi-finals, and so it comes as no surprise that seven of their players are named in the organiser’s Best Eleven (XI) from those fixtures.
Cavalier, who are set to contest the two-leg finals against Dominican Republic counterparts Cibao FC on November 26 and December 3, will be hoping to continue their rich vein of form to cop the Caribbean Cup on this occasion. They lost last year’s final to Suriname’s Robinhood.
Among those that had standout performances for Cavalier are Suriname-born Shaquille Stein and Trinidad and Tobago’s Kaile Auvray, along with defenders Richard King and Jeovanni Laing.
The 2024 Concacaf Caribbean Cup Best XI for the semifinal fixtures is:
Goalkeeper
Miguel Lloyd, Cibao FC – With four saves in two games, Lloyd helped decide a tightly contested series against Haiti’s Real Hope to help Cibao reach the final. He had a clean sheet in the second leg to seal a 4-2 win on aggregate.
Defenders
Jimmy Guillaume, Real Hope FA – Guillaume was active along the defensive line for Real Hope in the series against Cibao. He was one of the most effective passers of the semifinals with an 88% accuracy.
Richard King, Cavalier FC – King contributed to two clean sheet performances in their contest against Dominican Republic outfit, Moca FC. He had two steals and five shots in 190 minutes to help Cavalier reach the final.
Jeovanni Laing, Cavalier FC – Laing had three steals and one shot in 180 minutes to help Cavalier keep consecutive clean sheets and advance to the final.
Christopher Ainsworth, Cavalier FC – Ainsworth scored a goal to help Cavalier to victory in the second leg. He also had one steal for a defensive line that did not concede in the semifinals.
Midfielders
Rivaldo Correa, Cibao FC – Correa added two goals to his tally in the semifinals, along with one steal, to help Cibao reach the final with a 4-2 aggregate.
Jean López, Cibao FC – Lopez struck the opening goal of the series against Real Hope and contributed one assist and two steals.
Juan Díaz, Cibao FC – Díaz scored a goal and added three steals to help Cibao advance to the final, overcoming Real Hope.
Dwayne Atkinson, Cavalier FC – Atkinson continued his offensive rhythm in the current campaign with one goal, 10 attempts and two assists.
Forwards
Shaquille Stein, Cavalier FC – Stein struck a hat-trick to help Cavalier advance to the final while also taking the lead in the Golden Boot race.
Kaile Auvray, Cavalier FC – Auvray scored a brace, including the series-winning goal, to help Cavalier return to another Caribbean Cup final.
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