Jamaica international Andre Blake has finished runner in the voting for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year an award he previously won twice.
Blake finished behind Matt Turner of the New England Revolution who helped the team to its first-ever Supporters’ Shield with a new single-season points record.
Turner secured a total of 43.60 percent of the vote, followed by the Jamaican shot-stopper who claimed 10.43. Blake has posted another solid season for the Philadelphia Union getting a total of 13 clean sheets and a save success ratio of 76 percent. Blake previously won the award in 2016 and last year when he finished ahead of Turner.
Turner set a new Revs franchise record with 17 regular season wins, which tied him for the overall MLS lead. The goalkeeper’s 1.25 goals-against average and 74.2 save percentage both ranked in the top-10 among goalkeepers with at least 24 starts, and his two penalty kick saves were the second-most in the league.
The votes are placed by MLS club technical staff, media, and current MLS players.
West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite has admitted it was a tough situation for debutant Jeremy Solozano who was forced out of the opening Test after sustaining an injury.
Solozano, who was expected to partner Brathwaite at the top of the order, had to be stretchered off on the first day of the opening Test after being hit flush on the helmet by a pull shot from Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne.
The young batsman was taken to the hospital for scans and remained overnight for observation, but the tests showed no further damage. The player will, however, remain on concussion protocol for the next few days. Solozano was replaced in the line-up by Shai Hope.
“It was a tough situation, but at least we heard he’s doing good, his scans came back good, and we’ll be supporting him 100 percent,” Brathwaite said.
As per CWI’s concussion policy, Solozano is expected to miss a minimum of seven (7) days. During this time, he will be monitored and evaluated before he can return. The second match between the teams will take place between November 28 and December 3.
West Indies debutant Jeremy Solozano was taken to the hospital after receiving a blow on the helmet while fielding during the opening day of the Test series against Sri Lanka.
The 26-year-old had to be stretchered off the field after being struck by a pull shot from Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne. The incident happened during the fourth delivery off spinner Roston Chase’s over that had seen the player deployed at the short-leg position.
Shai Hope was brought in as the replacement after the injured player left the pitch. Solozano was reportedly responsive while being taken to the hospital and is currently undergoing scans. Cricket West Indies has promised to give further news on the player’s condition as soon as it becomes available.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first Sri Lanka were 163 for 1 at the end of the second session. Pace bowler Shannon Gabriel claimed the team’s only wicket so far after dismissing Pathum Nissanka.
West Indies middle-order batsman Jermaine Blackwood will be looking to score heavily during the team’s upcoming series against Sri Lanka and believes the rest of the team is in a similar mindset.
The last time the batsman was in Sri Lanka for a Test series was in 2015 where he fell just short of a century with 92 in Galle. His performance was not good when the teams met earlier in the Caribbean this year but believes he can set things right on a ground where he will have good memories.
“To be honest, I try to stick to my strengths. Now, I’m starting to understand my game a lot better than I did in the past. I really know my game inside out now,” Blackwood told members of the media.
“The last time I played there I played more attacking to be honest because I was batting at a proper level. This time around if I get a chance I can bat longer for the team and score more runs. I not looking to just score a century or a half-century, I’ll be looking to push it beyond that. So, hopefully, if I get in on this track, I can score a lot of runs for the team.”
In four series to date, the West Indies are yet to win a match in Sri Lanka.
West Indies newcomer Jeremy Solozano insists the focus will be on ensuring he contributes to the team rather than worry about cementing a spot in the squad, with a potential debut against Sri Lanka on the cards.
The 26-year-old is tipped to make his debut as an opener against Sri Lanka when the series gets underway on Saturday. The position at the top of the order has been a problematic one for the Caribbean team in recent years. The struggle has been to find a consistent partner for captain Kraigg Brathwaite.
The likes of John Campbell, Kieran Powell, Devon Smith, and briefly Shai Hope have all played in the position but failed to deliver the required performances.
With neither Powell nor Campbell in the squad and Hope unlikely to be tried in the slot again it appears to be a golden opportunity for the young opener to stake his claim. For the moment, however, it isn’t a primary focus.
“I’m feeling confident. Once given the opportunity I will do my best for the West Indies,” Solozano told members of the media on Friday.
“There’s not really any pressure with the environment I’m in, it’s about going out there to enjoy the game. I believe once you enjoy your game and training and everything, everything will fall into place,” he added.
A debut against Sri Lanka could be a steep step up for Solozano who has managed just 40 first-class matches with an average of 23.41.
“Once given the opportunity I’ll contribute to the team as much as possible, doing what the team requires in the given situation.”
West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite claims the team is eager to buck the trend of typically poor performances in Sri Lanka when the teams meet in Galle later this week.
Since 1994, the teams have played 10 series between them, with the West Indies winning two and Sri Lanka winning three. The rest have ended in draws. None of the West Indies wins have come in Sri Lanka. In fact, the West Indies are yet to win a match in Sri Lanka and suffered a 2-0 loss on their last visit in 2016.
Brathwaite believes the current squad, who did experience some success on the continent in February with a win over Bangladesh, is capable of finally breaking this long-running trend.
“I was here in 2016, my first series here and we lost both matches. As a youngster it didn’t feel good just coming into the team. Now I’m looking forward to these games, I think we have a very good team,” Brathwaite told members of the media on Thursday.
“This team is ready to go, and we are ready to break the shackles and win some games in Sri Lanka this time around,” he added.
The West Indies face Sri Lanka in a two-Test series in the Caribbean earlier this year, which ended in a 0-0 draw.
Jamaica head coach, Theodore Whitmore, is expected to be replaced as head coach of the country’s national team with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) technical committee on Wednesday, expected to meet and make the recommendation.
Whitmore, a former national player, who was a part of the country’s historic 1998 World Cup team, was in his third stint in charge of the Jamaica squad. The Reggae Boyz have, however, struggled in the ongoing World Cup qualifiers despite being one of the pre-tournament favourites to do well.
After eight games the team is in 6th spot, seven places off the automatic qualification and play-off spots. During the difficult run, which included a 3-0 home loss to Panama, the coach’s line-up choices and tactics have come into question.
Whitmore, however, has one of the best win percentages as a Jamaica coach and is only one of two to take the team to the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. According to yet to be confirmed reports, Whitmore is expected to be replaced by former England player Ricky Hill, a coach formerly at American USL Championship club Tampa Bay Rowdies. Whitmore’s assistant Paul Hall will reportedly stay on as a part of the coaching unit. The Jamaican team will resume its World Cup qualification with a home fixture against Mexico in January.
West Ham owner David Sullivan has forked out an eye-watering £100,000 ($21,013,467) to get striker Michail Antonio back to England with enough time to rest for Saturday’s English Premier League (EPL) encounter against Wolverhampton.
The striker had a private jet waiting for him at the airport soon after Jamaica played to a 1-1 draw against the United States, in the recently concluded round of World Cup qualifiers, where the in-form striker scored a thunderbolt. In fact, Antonio scored both goals for Jamaica during the round after also getting the goal also El Salvador in another 1-1 draw for the Caribbean team.
Despite the 31-year-old's impact, Jamaica remains off the pace needed for qualification to next year’s World Cup as they are currently 6th in the standings, with six matches remaining. Antonio began appearing for the Caribbean team after switching nationality from England this year, both his parents were born in the Caribbean country,
The form of striker, who has scored six Premier League goals so far, has been crucial to a strong start to the season for West Ham, who are currently third in the EPL standings. The forward has also scored one goal for the team in a Europa League campaign that sees them comfortably at the top of Group H.
Legendary fast bowler, Curtly Ambrose, does not believe Shimron Hetmyer is ready to be captain of the West Indies team as the batsman still has areas of his individual game to develop.
Earlier this week, former Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Dave Cameron was reported as saying that Hetmyer should replace Pollard as the team’s new white-ball captain. In further clarifying the issue, however, Cameron has since explained that he believes his administration would have done more to groom the player to take over the post by now.
With Hetmyer plagued by issues of inconsistency and fitness over the last few years, however, Ambrose does not believe having to handle the pressure of the captaincy would be the right move for the batsman at this time.
“I certainly wouldn't (make him captain). Hetmyer is a young man and could be a future captain in the making but I think Hetmyer needs to get his game in order first,” Ambrose told the Mason and Guest radio program.
“He needs to get his game in order. It’s too big a responsibility for the young man at this moment when he’s not playing as well,” he added.
“For me, I would like to see Hetmyer focus on his batting. First and foremost get it right and then who knows what can happen a few years later but I wouldn’t give it to him now, being the captain is added pressure.”
In ODI cricket, Hetmyer is currently averaging 35.29 and has played 47 matches for the regional team.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Ricky Skerritt has expressed delight with a decision that will see the West Indies serve as joint hosts of the 2024 T20 World Cup along with the United States.
The West Indies will be hosting a World Cup-type event for the fourth time, with the US set to make history with its first. In addition, the 2024 edition will be the first T20 World Cup to feature 20 teams.
Based on the fixtures, approximately two-thirds of the 55 matches will be held in the Caribbean, with the World Cup venues being drawn from the 13 established international cricket grounds in the West Indies. The United States will host the remaining one-third of the matches where they will be played at five venues.
“The CWI welcomes this historic announcement by the ICC. It means that the Caribbean has been handed another opportunity in 2024 to host a premiere world cricket event
“We’ve done this before and I’m very sure we are going to do very well doing this again. This time its historic because we are partnering with our neighbours from the north USA Cricket. We know that strategic partnership has helped with accepting our bid and we must soon get to work to make this exciting historic decision a truly successful one for all concerned.”
Reggae Boy striker Michail Antonio says he is eager for more goals, having opened his account in a draw against El Salvador last week.
The West Ham star, who was making just his second appearance for the Jamaica national team, after switching from England earlier this year, needed only seven minutes to get on the scoresheet against the Central Americans.
Picking up the ball midway the opposition half, Antonio charged into the area before executing a trademark dink over the El Salvador goalkeeper in the 82nd minute. The Jamaicans were forced to settle for a share of the points after El Salvador struck back in the 90th minute. Having opened his account, the player is looking for more and hoping to do so against the region’s biggest teams.
It’s always good to get off the mark quite early. So, you can release all the pressure off yourself and keep going and get more goals. Hopefully, now that I’ve got one, I can keep going and get more,” Antonio said.
“Right now, my performances are getting better. So, the only way I can show it is by doing it against the better teams, the USA’s and Canadas.”
Jamaica will play against the United States in a crucial encounter on Tuesday.
Emerging young West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales is looking to build on a promising start to his Test cricket career when the team faces Sri Lanka in its upcoming series.
The 20-year-old has been a revelation for the regional team, since making his debut against South Africa earlier this year. In four games so far, the young bowler has claimed 16 wickets, including a five-for against Pakistan in August.
On debut, Seales impressed with his ability to swing the ball at pace and also the consistency and quality of his length deliveries.
“I was satisfied with my performances in my debut series and the series after that but it just for me to look to build on those performances now and try to improve in the areas that I can improve in,” Seales told members of the media on Saturday.
On his first overseas tour, the bowler faces unfamiliar conditions on the subcontinent, which typically favours spin bowlers, but he remains determined to try and make an impact.
“For me it’s just about trying to go out there and execute my plans as best as I can, to try and work with the conditions and see what I can get done for the team.”
West Indies batsman Jermaine Blackwood will be looking to impact the upcoming series against Sri Lanka perhaps even by taking a with a ball.
The middle-order batsman’s previous encounter against the Sri Lankans earlier this year did go quite to plan after managing just 42 runs in two matches with a high score of 18. Ahead of the upcoming series Blackwood who admits to being a better frame of mind this time around is determined to set things right.
“To be honest, the last time I played Sri Lanka my mind wasn’t right at that time, but now my mind is fully there, so, I’m looking forward to a very good series,” Blackwood told Windies cricket.
Despite not typically being a threat with the ball, Blackwood believes he might even be able to make an impact with the ball, should the surfaces in Sri Lanka live up to their usual reputation of being more friendly to slower bowling.
“I always tell the skipper that I want to bowl a few overs because I have the golden arm. As you can see, I always get one of the wickets. So it will be very interesting this series if I can get a few overs.”
North American, Central American, and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) secretary Keith Vincent says the association expressed shock at the decision of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) to award Canada’s Maggie MacNeil the best female athlete of Tokyo 2020 ahead of Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah.
The 29-year-old Thompson-Herah became the first female sprinter in history to claim the Olympic sprint double twice after emphatic victories in the 100 and 200m metres. In Tokyo, Thompson’s winning time of 10.61 was the second-fastest ever recorded over the event and eclipsed the 33-year-old Olympic record held by the United States’ Florence Griffith-Joyner.
Her dominant 21.53 win in the 200m, not only decimated the rest of a quality field but was also the second-fastest time in history, bettered by only Griffith Joyner's world record of 21.34, set in 1988. Thompson-Herah went on to add a third gold medal with the Jamaica team in the women’s 4x100m relays.
The Canadian MacNeil also won three medals in Tokyo, which included a memorable victory in the women’s 100m butterfly event where she came back from seventh place at the halfway mark to eventually win gold. The 21-year-old also claimed a silver medal in the 4x100m freestyle and bronze in the 4x100m medley.
“NACAC has expressed its disappointment with the results of the Award from the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) for Best Female Athlete at the Tokyo Olympics held earlier this year,” Vincent, who is also general secretary of Saint Vincent and The Grenadines Olympic Committee,” wrote in NACAC’s weekly bulletin.
"For the several NACAC member countries in attendance at the Awards Ceremony held on the evening of Sunday, 24 October, in the city of Heraklion on the Island of Crete, Greece, it came as a shock that Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson was not the eventual winner.”
Thompson-Herah who was voted as NACAC’s Female Athlete of the Year last week is among the favourites for the IAAF Female Athlete of the Year award.
An Alex Roldan goal in the 90th minute canceled out a Michail Antonio goal in the 82nd minute as El Salvador and Jamaica both netted a point
after battling to a 1-1 draw on Friday at the Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador.
The first half ended scoreless despite a sequence in the 39th minute off a corner kick in which El Salvador attempted two long-range shots, both of which hit the crossbar above
Jamaica GK Andre Blake.
Jamaica thought it may have had the winner with Antonio scoring his first-ever Jamaica goal late in the second half for a 1-0 lead. The attacker took the ball on the left-hand side of attack and charged forward, beating a pair of Salvadoran defenders and then GK Mario Gonzalez with a clever chip over the onrushing shot-stopper.
Yet El Salvador still had something to say about the outcome of the match and found the 1-1 equalizer.
Roldan, wearing the captain’s armband, got into the box in the 90th minute and headed in a cross from the right-hand side, with the ball tucking under the crossbar and going in.
Next on the slate for El Salvador is a visit to Panama City to meet fellow Central
American rival Panama, while Jamaica heads back to Kingston where it welcomes the United States.
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