The pace bowling of young Nahid Rana as well as some brave, aggressive batting have put Bangladesh in a strong position at stumps on day three of the second Test against the West Indies at Sabina Park on Monday.
Sunny skies greeted the West Indian batsmen and Bangladeshi fielders on Monday as the hosts carried on their first innings from their overnight 70-1 off 37 overs, replying to Bangladesh’s 164 all out off 71.5 overs on day two.
Captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Keacy Carty were the batsmen at the crease on 33 and 19, respectively, looking to kick on to put the West Indies in position to get a big lead on the tourists.
The pair put on a further 15 runs in five overs and three balls before Brathwaite became Rana’s first victim of the day and second of the innings for a 129-ball 39.
Fifteen balls later, Rana, who bowled at speeds north of 145 pm/h consistently throughout the West Indies innings, struck once again, this time getting Kavem Hodge to edge a ball through to wicket-keeper Litton Das for just three leaving the West Indies 94-3.
It was then time for Taskin Ahmed to get into the action, knocking over Alick Athanaze for just two with one ball left in the 48th over to leave the hosts 100-4.
Centurion from the first Test, Justin Greaves, was next to the crease hoping for a repeat of his exploits in the first innings of the first Test in Antigua last week.
Sadly for the West Indian supporters, that wasn’t the case, however, as Greaves played around a straight ball from Taijul Islam to be dismissed for the same score as Athanaze, leaving the West Indies 105-5 in the 51st over.
Joshua Da Silva’s poor run of form with the bat continued as he was next to go for just five in the 54th over with the wickets of Carty (40), Alzarri Joseph (7), and Shamar Joseph (6) falling soon after to leave the West Indies 136-9 in the 64th over.
It was then Rana’s chance to complete a maiden Test five-wicket haul bowling to elder statesman Kemar Roach.
After hitting him on the shoulder a couple times, leaving him unable to take up his usual role of bowling the new ball for the hosts, Rana got Roach trapped in front with a full, straight one to complete his milestone, finishing with 5-61 off 18 overs.
Hasan Mahmud took 2-19 off 11 overs in support of the speedster from Chapai Nawabgonj.
Leading by 18, Bangladesh second innings got off to the worst possible start when Jayden Seales dismissed Mahmudul Hasan Joy for a duck in the first over.
First innings half-centurion Shadman Islam and Shahadat Hossain attempted a repair job, putting on 47 for the second wicket before the latter went for a 26-ball 28, going for one big shot too many and ending up caught at mid off by Seales off the bowling of Alzarri Joseph.
The next partnership was the one that really had the West Indies nervous as Islam and captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz put on 70 in just 11.5 overs for the third wicket.
That partnership ended when Shamar Joseph had Islam caught behind, four runs short of his second fifty of the contest while Miraz went soon after, also caught behind off Joseph for 42 off 39 balls to leave Bangladesh 132-4 in the 26th over.
Litton Das and Jaker Ali then provided some more valuable runs for the tourists, putting on 41 in 8.5 overs before Justin Greaves removed Das with a brilliant off cutter for 25 off 34 balls.
Ali (29*) and Taijul Islam (9*) were the batsmen at the crease at stumps as Bangladesh reached 193-5 off 41.4 overs, leading by 211 runs.
Full Scores:
Bangladesh 164 off 71.5 overs (Shadman Islam 64, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 36, Jayden Seales 4-5, Shamar Joseph 3-49, Kemar Roach 2-45) & 193-5 off 41.4 overs (Shadman Islam 46, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 42, Shamar Joseph 2-70)
West Indies 146 off 65 overs (Keacy Carty 40, Kraigg Brathwaite 39, Nahid Rana 5-61, Hasan Mahmud 2-19).
The decisive Test between the West Indies and Bangladesh began with an intriguing day of cricket at Sabina Park on Saturday, leaving both teams with reasons for optimism as play closed with the visitors on 69-2.
Bangladesh’s opening batsman Shadman Islam ended the day unbeaten on 50 as he enjoyed some good fortune, while Shahadat Hossain provided support and was also unbeaten on 12 heading into Sunday’s second day.
Kemar Roach (2-20) took both wickets so far for the hosts to ensure the contest remained finely poised after Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat.
The opening day was marred by overnight showers, leaving the outfield damp and delaying the start until 3:00 pm. Despite the lost time, both teams approached the match with intent on a grassy surface that seemed to favour the seamers early on.
Roach, the West Indies’ pace spearhead, quickly found his rhythm and made the initial breakthrough, dismissing Mahmudul Hasan Joy for three. A perfect delivery outside off-stump found the edge, and wicketkeeper Joshua da Silva did the rest behind the stumps.
Roach struck again soon after to claim his 50th wicket against Bangladesh, removing Mominul Haque for a duck. A sharp, rising delivery took the edge, with da Silva diving to his right to take another impressive catch.
While wickets fell around him, Shadman Islam played a composed innings, frustrating the West Indies bowlers with disciplined shot selection. His unbeaten half-century anchored the Bangladesh innings, providing a foundation for the visitors to build on in the coming days.
However, Shadman’s stay at the crease wasn’t without drama. He was handed two lives—first on 15 when Alick Athanaze spilled a chance at first slip, and again on 35 when West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite dropped him at cover.
The most comical moment of the day came when Shahadat Hossain edged a Jayden Seales delivery on eight. The ball popped out of Athanaze’s hands and rebounded to Kavem Hodge at first slip, who also spilled the catch. The ball then landed out of Athanaze’s reach as he scrambled to recover.
These missed chances could prove costly for the West Indies, as both batters remain unbeaten heading into day two.
West Indies’ emphatic 201-run triumph over Bangladesh in the first Test in Antigua has not only bolstered team morale but also catapulted several players up the ICC Test rankings.
The performance, though not the most polished, was a statement of intent that showcased a balanced team effort spearheaded by emerging stars and seasoned campaigners alike.
Alick Athanaze, one of the shining lights of the victory, has climbed 18 places to 62nd in the batting rankings after his crucial knocks of 90 and 42. The 25-year-old’s maturity under pressure has been a revelation, solidifying his status as one of the brightest prospects in West Indies cricket.
Justin Greaves (up 43 places to 81st) and Mikyle Louis (up 25 places to joint-86th) also made significant gains, highlighting the depth and promise in the West Indies’ batting ranks.
The Caribbean fast-bowling trio of Jayden Seales, Kemar Roach, and Alzarri Joseph has reaped the rewards for a disciplined and hostile display in Antigua. Seales, who led the attack with precision, has moved up three places to a career-best 11th in the ICC Test Bowling Rankings.
Roach’s masterclass of swing and seam bowling, coupled with his ability to dismantle top-order batters, has pushed him four spots to 17th. Meanwhile, the fiery Alzarri Joseph has climbed three places to 29th, reflecting his growing reputation as a strike bowler capable of rattling opposition line-ups.
Bangladesh’s Taskin Ahmed stood out with a six-wicket haul, 6-64, in the second innings, lifting him from 67th to 51st in the bowling rankings, while Litton Das and Mominul Haque have inched up a slot each to 32nd and 47th positions in the batting rankings.
Meanwhile, India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has regained the top spot in the men’s Test bowling rankings after leading his team to a resounding 295-run victory over Australia in the first match of their ICC World Test Championship series in Perth.
Bumrah’s hauls of five for 30 and three for 42 have helped him overtake Josh Hazlewood and Kagiso Rabada and reach a career-best 883 rating points, the highest rating points tally ever by an India seam bowler. Spinners Ravichandran Ashwin (904) and Ravindra Jadeja (899) are the only bowlers from India to record higher points tallies.
This is the third time that Bumrah has been top of the rankings this year. He was top ranked for two one-month stretches each starting in February and October.
India’s huge victory in the first of five Tests is reflected in gains for several other players including centurions Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli.
Opener Jaiswal has overtaken Harry Brook and Kane Williamson to reach a career-best second position after top-scoring in Perth with 161 in the second innings, while Kohli’s unbeaten 100 has lifted him nine spots to 13th position after being outside the top 20 batters for the first time in 10 years.
KL Rahul has advanced from 60th to 49th position and Nitish Kumar Reddy has entered the batting rankings in 74th position, while Mohammad Siraj has moved up three spots to 25th position in the bowling rankings.
Australian Travis Head is back in the top 10 after notching a fighting 89 in the second innings while Alex Carey (up one place to 39th among batters) and Mitchell Marsh (up 10 places to 68th among bowlers) are among others to progress after their performances in Perth. Steve Smith, who could only manage zero and 17, has slid down to seventh place, his lowest position since December 2014.
Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales shared six wickets between them as the West Indies moved within three wickets of victory on the penultimate day of the first Test against Bangladesh at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.
Bangladesh, set a target of 334, ended Monday on 109 for 7, still needing 225 runs for an unlikely win. Roach and Seales spearheaded the West Indies bowling effort, exposing Bangladesh’s frail batting lineup and leaving the visitors staring at defeat.
The West Indies had earlier struggled in their second innings, managing only 152 after Taskin Ahmed’s career-best 6 for 64 tore through their lineup. While the home side retained a significant lead, their inability to build on their commanding first-innings total of 450 for 9 left the door slightly ajar for Bangladesh.
Alick Athanaze top-scored for the West Indies in their second innings with a fighting 42, while captain Kraigg Brathwaite contributed 23. Joshua Da Silva (22) and Alzarri Joseph (17) also chipped in with small but valuable runs in a disappointing batting effort.
Bangladesh’s response got off to a disastrous start, with both openers falling cheaply. Zakir Hasan inside-edged Roach onto his stumps, while Mahmudul Hasan Joy edged Seales to third slip. Roach then delivered a superb setup to Shahadat Hossain, getting several deliveries to seam away before unleashing a vicious inswinger that grazed the glove and was caught by Joshua Da Silva.
Shamar Joseph endured a frustrating spell, with Mominul Haque dropped twice in one over—first by Da Silva down the leg side and then by Mikyle Louis at gully. However, Roach struck again to remove Mominul, taking a sharp return catch off a mistimed drive.
Joseph’s bad luck continued when Alick Athanaze dropped Mehidy Hasan Miraz at second slip, and Seales couldn’t hold onto a chance offered by Litton Das. Joseph eventually found success when Litton mistimed a pull and was caught at fine leg for 22, reducing Bangladesh to 59 for 5.
West Indies are targeting a big score as they look to put Bangladesh firmly on the back foot after an impressive showing on day one.
Mikyle Louis plundered 97 and Alick Athanaze scored 90 as West Indies reached stumps on Friday at 250-5.
Justin Greaves (11 not out) and Joshua Da Silva (14 not out) will return to the crease on Saturday, and Louis is confident the Windies can push on and stamp their authority on the opening Test.
As reported by the ICC, Louis said: "I think we are in a strong position, and we have Justin and Joshua at the crease now.
"I hope they will have a good partnership, I am hoping for a 400-plus score on this pitch."
Taskin Ahmed (2-46) was Bangladesh's standout bowler on day one, though Mehidy Hasan Miraz (1-47) clinched the vital wicket of Louis.
Reflecting on his innings, after falling just three runs short of his maiden Test century, Louis said: "It was an innings of phases. Initially, there was a little moisture, it was slow and nipping.
"The partnership between myself and Alick was one of substance. He guided me, he is more experienced and he fed me information."
West Indies have won six of their last seven Test series against Bangladesh (L1) including each of their last two.
However, the Windies are winless in their last four Tests at home (D2 L2) after winning three consecutive matches prior to that span, including two wins against Bangladesh; they are looking to avoid losing back-to-back home games for the first time since June 2021.
Mikyle Louis and Alick Athanaze came heartbreakingly close to maiden Test centuries but fell in the nineties as the West Indies closed the opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh at 250-5 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. Their 140-run partnership for the fourth wicket proved pivotal, turning the momentum firmly in favor of the hosts after early struggles.
Louis, playing with patience and determination, was dismissed for 97 after spending 27 balls in the nineties. He charged at Bangladesh’s stand-in captain and spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz but was caught at slip by Shahadat Hossain. Athanaze, who had been steadily accelerating, fell three overs later for 90, edging Taijul Islam behind. It marked the second time in Athanaze’s brief Test career that he had been dismissed in the nineties.
The pair’s stand was the backbone of the West Indies innings, revitalizing the side after early setbacks. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite fell for 4, trapped lbw by Taskin Ahmed, and Keacy Carty departed soon after for a duck, caught at mid-on trying to flick Taskin. At 12-2, the West Indies were under pressure until Louis and Kavem Hodge steadied the ship.
Hodge, who made 25, was run out after a brilliant throw from Taijul Islam at long leg. His dismissal brought Athanaze to the crease, and together with Louis, he set about rebuilding and eventually dominating the Bangladesh bowling attack.
Louis reached his half-century with a straight drive off Taskin, showcasing his ability to punish loose deliveries amidst a largely cautious approach. Athanaze took a more aggressive route, particularly in the final session, finding the boundary with sweeps, reverse sweeps, and cuts as he raised the scoring rate.
Louis’s innings included nine boundaries and a six, while Athanaze struck 12 fours and a six. Their contrasting styles complemented each other, as they added 140 runs at a brisk pace, frustrating Bangladesh’s bowlers, who had earlier kept the scoring rate in check.
After their departures, Justin Greaves and Joshua Da Silva stabilized the innings against the second new ball. Greaves ended the day unbeaten, with Da Silva scoring freely in the closing overs before bad light and a drizzle brought an early end to proceedings after 84 overs.
Bangladesh’s bowlers struggled to capitalize on the early breakthroughs. Taskin Ahmed was the pick of the attack with figures of 2-46, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz (1-45) and Taijul Islam (1-56) provided moments of control but lacked consistency. The fielding unit also let opportunities slip, including a dropped catch off Louis when he was in the nineties.
The West Indies will resume on day two with five wickets in hand and an opportunity to push toward a commanding first-innings total. Bangladesh will look to capitalize on the breakthroughs late on day one and restrict the hosts in the morning session.
For the West Indies, the day belonged to Louis and Athanaze, whose near-centuries not only steadied the innings but also put the team in a strong position as they aim to set the tone in the series.
Cricket West Indies on Friday unveiled the squad to represent the West Indies in their upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh scheduled for November 22 to December 4 in Antigua and Jamaica.
Led by Kraigg Brathwaite, the squad features an exciting mix of seasoned, in-form players and fresh, young talent.
Brathwaite is joined in the group of specialist batsmen by Mikyle Louis, Keacy Carty, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach and Alick Athanaze.
Justin Greaves, who scored over 400 runs in the ongoing CG United Super50 Cup, has also been included in the squad and could contribute with both bat and ball in an all-rounder role. Kevin Sinclair is the slow bowling all-rounder option selected. Jason Holder will miss the series as he continues rehabilitation for a shoulder injury.
Vice-captain Joshua Da Silva will continue in the role as wicket-keeper while the specialist bowlers selected include Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales and Jomel Warrican.
Prior to the Tests, Brathwaite will also lead a 13-man CWI Select Warm-Up match squad primarily consisting of players not selected for their regional CG United Super50 squads, allowing emerging talent to gain exposure ahead of the series.
That squad will take on Bangladesh in a two-day warm-up fixture at Coolidge in Antigua on November 17 and 18.
Full Test Squad:
CWI Select XI Warm-Up Match Squad:
The Windward Islands Volcanoes got their second positive result in this year’s CG United Super50 Cup alive with a 98-run DLS method win over the Combined Campuses and Colleges at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Wednesday.
In a match reduced to 44 overs per side, the Windwards produced an excellent batting effort after being inserted by the CCC.
The 2018 champions produced a score of 307-7 in their 44 overs thanks to half centuries from Alick Athanaze, captain Sunil Ambris and Kavem Hodge.
Athanaze led the way with 77 off 75 balls including 12 fours and a six. Ambris made a 63-ball 70 including eight fours while Hodge made an even 50 off 47 balls including five fours.
West Indies Under-19 captain Stephan Pascal also chipped in with 41 as Amari Goodridge and Romario Greaves each took two wickets.
Set a revised target of 312 off their 44 overs, the CCC could only muster up 213 in 36.3 overs before being bowled out.
Jonathan Drakes led the way with 55 off 68 balls against Shadrack Descarte who bowled with skill on his way to figures of 4-43 from 6.3 overs of medium pace.
Darius Martin and Kenneth Dember provided good support with two wickets, each.
Full Scores:
Windward Islands Volcanoes 307-7 off 44 overs (Alick Athanaze 77, Sunil Ambris 70, Kavem Hodge 50, Stephan Pascal 44, Amari Goodridge 2-43, Romario Greaves 2-68
Combined Campuses and Colleges 213 off 36.3 overs (Jonathan Drakes 55, Johann Jeremiah 29, Shadrack Descarte 4-43, Darius Martin 2-33, Kenneth Dember 2-33.
Guyanese batsman Shimron Hetmyer has been included in the West Indies 15-man squad, which will lock horns against England in the highly anticipated CG United One Day International (ODI) home series set to get under way on Thursday.
Hetmyer, who last played the format in December 2023 against England, replaces Alick Athanaze as the only change from the squad that recently concluded a tour of Sri Lanka. Cricket West Indies (CWI) made the revelation on Tuesday.
The three-match ODI series begins with two ODIs at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (SVRS) in Antigua on October 31 and November 2, aligning with Antigua’s Independence weekend celebrations, before the final showdown at Kensington Oval (KO) in Barbados on November 6.
West Indies Men’s Head Coach Daren Sammy expressed his excitement about returning to action against England.
"Playing against England always provides a new challenge and reignites a rivalry that the players and the people of the Caribbean are eager for. Somehow, we West Indies always find a way to raise our game when we face England," he said.
"This rivalry goes back for decades, and after defeating them last year at home for the first time in a long time in an ODI series, we’re ready to face the challenge of a strong England squad again. It’s always special to play at home, where the local support brings energy and passion to every match. With our sights set on qualifying for the ICC Men’s World Cup in 2027, we’ve selected a balanced squad that will no doubt push and compete with one of the best teams in the world," Sammy added.
This exciting CG United ODI series sets the stage for a highly anticipated five-match T20 International (T20I) series between the West Indies and England, scheduled from November 9 to November 17, 2024. The T20 squad will be announced shortly.
West Indies CG United ODI Squad: Shai Hope (Captain), Jewel Andrew, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh Jr.
West Indies vs England CG United ODI Series Schedule
1st CG United ODI: 31 October 2024 - Sir Vivian Richards Stadium @ 2pm local time
2nd CG United ODI: 2 November 2024 - Sir Vivian Richards Stadium @ 9:30am local time
3rd CG United ODI: 6 November 2024 - Kensington Oval Barbados @ 2pm local time
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced the squads selected for the eagerly anticipated West Indies Senior Men’s T20 International (T20I) and One Day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka. The teams are set to compete in three (3) T20Is and three (3) ODIs from 10 to 27 October 2024.
T20I Squad
The T20I squad will take on Sri Lanka from 10 to 17 October 2024. After a resounding 3-0 series sweep against South Africa earlier this year, the West Indies have climbed the rankings, moving to fourth place, and established themselves as serious contenders on the world stage. Several senior players, including Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Akeal Hosein and Shimron Hetmyer have opted out of the tour for personal reasons, opening the door for newer faces and returning players. Captain Rovman Powell will lead the side, with Roston Chase continuing in his role as Vice-Captain.
Head Coach Daren Sammy, who now leads on selection under the revamped selection system, noted the importance of this series in evaluating players for key roles and understanding the conditions ahead of future ICC Tournaments.
On the T20 squad, Coach Sammy said, “the tour of Sri Lanka gives us a chance to test our depth and assess players in different situations, especially with several senior players missing out for various reasons, including a need for rest and rehabilitation from injury. We are confident in the squad’s ability to compete strongly.”
West Indies T20I Squad:
The series will begin on 13 October 2024, with the first match at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, followed by two more matches on 15 and 17 October.
ODI Squad
The ODI squad is set to face Sri Lanka in a three-match series from 20 to 27 October 2024. Shai Hope will continue as Captain, with Vice-Captain support from Alzarri Joseph. This series provides an opportunity for CWI to focus on building its ODI team ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
A notable inclusion is Jewel Andrew, the young Antiguan wicketkeeper-batsman who has impressed and earned his place in the squad. The squad also sees the return of several key players, including Brandon King and Sherfane Rutherford.
Head Coach Sammy, remarked on the ODI squad’s balance and potential for growth: “As we continue to build our ODI team, this tour offers a valuable opportunity to evaluate strategies and give opportunities to emerging talent. We are excited to see young players like Jewel Andrew, who has earned his place as an exciting prospect for the future.”
West Indies ODI Squad:
Team Management:
Team management remains the same across both squads.
The ODI series will start on 20 October 2024, with the first match at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, followed by matches on 23 and 26 October.
Tour Schedule:
T20I Series:
All matches 7:00pm local time/9:30am Eastern Caribbean/8:30am Jamaica Caribbean fans can catch the action on Rush Sports, the Bluu App and Sports Max App.
ODI Series:
All matches 2:30pm local time/5:00am Eastern Caribbean/4:00am Jamaica
Caribbean fans can catch the action on Rush Sports, the Bluu App and Sports Max App.
As the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) heads towards its final week of competition it was another disappointing night for Barbados Royals who suffered their fourth defeat in a row at the hands of fellow title hopefuls Trinbago Knight Riders.
The Knight Riders comfortable 30-run victory sees them leapfrog the Royals into third position in the table on 12 points with a game in hand. The Royals finish fourth in the final qualifying spot despite being the team to beat at the start of the competition.
Royals captain Rovman Powell won the toss and elected to field first at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad and after Theekshana bowled Jason Roy for a duck and Jason Holder bagged Shaqkere Parris caught behind by Quinton de Kock for just five the Royals were well placed. Nicholas Pooran hit 27 off 15 balls before offering another catch to de Kock off Naveen-ul-Haq to leave the Knight Riders stuttering on 35/3 off four overs.
The TKR engine room came to their rescue, a score of 175/7 chalked up courtesy of calm heads and clinical hitting as Kieron Pollard (42 off 27) Andre Russell (31 off 12) and Keacy Carty (32 off 34) held the innings together and got the home side to a competitive score.
It proved 30 runs to many for the Royals. Dangerman de Kock was one of three wickets snared early by the impressive Akeal Hosein who finished with 3/15 from his set of four overs which took the sting out of the Royals batting card and earned the darting spinner the Player of the Match.
Alick Athanze kept the Royals in with a sniff with a well made 44 off 33 balls but once he had departed to the English combo of bowler Chris Jordan and catcher Jason Roy, captain Powell fell for 18 and Jason Holder for just 4 the target remained out of reach as wickets fell and the scoreboard pressure told.
David Miller tried in vain to get the Royals close with some late order boundary hitting but his 30 off 15 balls wasn’t enough to take the game down to the wire.
Rovman Powell insists West Indies must not get too far ahead of themselves after what he saw as an "unacceptable" level of rustiness against South Africa.
The Windies won by seven wickets in Friday's T20I to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
They have now won five of their last six T20Is against the Proteas, having bounced back from a three-wicket defeat at the T20 World Cup in June.
However, Powell was far from happy with what he saw, with South Africa posting a competitive 174-7 - Tristan Stubbs top-scoring with 76 and Patrick Kruger adding 44.
Powell said: "I think it's always good to go 1-0 up. We bowled well in the powerplay and though we let them off a bit, we were good with the bat.
"The guys look a bit rusty, which is unacceptable at this level.
"To be honest, a lot of talk is around the next T20 World Cup but we have to play one game at a time and see different players. We have to stay in the moment and the 2026 T20 World Cup is too far for us."
Shai Hope's 51 and Alick Athanaze's 40 got the Windies' chase off to a strong start, paving the way for Nicholas Pooran to take centre stage with an unbeaten 65, which included reeling off four straight sixes in one over.
"I just felt like Shai and Alick put South Africa under pressure in the powerplay," said Pooran, who was named Player of the Match.
"At the ten-over mark, we knew it was a better wicket and my job was simple and I just had to take on my match-ups.
"With rain around, the first ten overs were tricky when South Africa batted. Stubbs and Kruger played well, but we knew the wicket would get better."
Along with Stubbs' performance with the bat, one other bright spark for South Africa in their defeat was teenager Kwena Maphaka, who claimed his maiden international wicket.
"Maphaka has a lot of X-factor and is really young," said Proteas captain Aiden Markram. "He has hunger when you speak to him off the field and he wants to win games for South Africa."
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has unveiled the West Indies Men’s squad for the upcoming T20 International (T20I) series against South Africa, set to take place from August 23-27, 2024, at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad. The announcement comes on the heels of the West Indies' 1-0 Test series loss to the Proteas in Providence, Guyana, with the team now looking to bounce back in the shorter format of the game.
Rovman Powell will lead the side as captain, with Roston Chase serving as vice-captain. The squad also features a mix of experienced campaigners and emerging talents, including the likes of Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, and Alick Athanaze. Notably absent from the squad are Andre Russell and Jason Holder, who have both requested periods of rest and recovery following a grueling season that included five consecutive Test matches against England and South Africa. Brandon King also remains sidelined as he continues his rehabilitation from an injury sustained during the World Cup.
Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, emphasized the importance of rest and recovery for the absent players, stating, “During this period, they all will work closely with the CWI science and medicine team.”
Head Coach Daren Sammy views the upcoming series as an opportunity for the West Indies to reset and refocus. “Facing a strong South Africa side is an excellent opportunity for our team to reset and refocus with our game plan. We have played them recently and had mixed results, so this should be an exciting and important series. I’m confident in the squad we’ve selected, and with eyes already on the next T20 World Cup in 2026, I know the guys will be keen to show their hunger for success,” Sammy remarked.
The West Indies, currently ranked 4th in the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings, will be looking to capitalize on their recent form, having won four of their last five series. South Africa, ranked 5th, presents a formidable challenge, especially after ending the West Indies' World Cup campaign in the Super 8 stage. However, with a squad full of dynamic players, including the explosive Fabian Allen and the reliable Shai Hope, the West Indies are poised to put up a strong fight.
The T20I series against South Africa also marks a historic occasion as it will feature doubleheaders with the Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) for the first time. Fans will have the unique opportunity to witness both the top male and female cricketers in action with a single ticket.
The full squad for the T20I series is as follows: Rovman Powell (Captain), Roston Chase (Vice-Captain), Alick Athanaze, Fabian Allen, Johnson Charles, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd.
The team management unit for the series includes Head Coach Daren Sammy, along with Assistant Coaches Rayon Griffith, Floyd Reifer, and Ramesh Subasinghe. The support staff also comprises Physiotherapist Denis Byam, Strength & Conditioning Coach Ronald Rogers, and others.
Tickets for the T20I Series are available for purchase online, and fans in the Caribbean can catch all the action live on RUSH SPORTS or via the Flow Sports bluu. App and the SportsMax App. Fans worldwide can follow live ball-by-ball commentary on the Windies Cricket YouTube page and get live scores on the Windies Cricket Match Centre.
As the West Indies gear up to face South Africa, cricket fans across the region will be eagerly watching to see how the team responds after their recent Test series disappointment. The upcoming T20I series promises to be an exciting chapter in the ongoing rivalry between the two cricketing nations.
Shamar Joseph’s dream start to Test cricket continued but Wiaan Mulder and Nandre Burger led a spirited fightback for the touring South Africans on day one of the second Test at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Thursday.
South Africa, after winning the toss and batting first, were bowled out for 160 in 54 overs while the West Indies were 97-7 after 28.2 overs in reply, trailing by 63 runs at stumps on day one.
South Africa were made to rue their decision to bat first very quickly as Tony de Zorzi (1), Aiden Markram (14), Temba Bavuma (0) and Tristan Stubbs (26) all fell before the 25th over to leave them reeling at 57-4.
That quickly became 97-9 when Kyle Verreynne, their last recognized batsman, became Shamar Joseph’s fifth victim of the innings with just 36.1 overs on the board.
With the West indies seemingly on the brink of restricting South Africa to less than 100, Dane Piedt and Nandre Burger showed grit, fighting off some quality West Indian bowling on the way to a final wicket partnership of 63 before Burger finally fell off the bowling of Gudakesh Motie for 23 in the 54th over.
David Bedingham was South Africa’s top scorer in the first innings with 28.
Joseph finished with figures of 5-33 off 14 overs and was supported well by Jayden Seales who took 3-45, also from 14 overs.
The West Indian reply got off to a disappointing start when Mikyle Louis was bowled by Burger for a duck in the second over.
The hosts then continued to lose wickets at regular intervals as Kraigg Brathwaite (3), Alick Athanaze (1), Kavem Hodge (4), Keacy Carty (26), and Joshua Da Silva (4) all fell within the first 20 overs.
Jason Holder has so far provided the only meaningful resistance to the South African bowling with 33* while Gudakesh Motie’s wicket for 11 in the 29th over signaled the end of the day’s play.
Wiaan Mulder has dominated the West Indian batting so far with a career best 4-18 off six overs while Burger has taken 2-32 from his seven overs.
Full Scores:
South Africa 160 off 54 overs (David Bedingham 28, Tristan Stubbs 26, Shamar Joseph 5-33, Jayden Seales 3-45)
West Indies 97-7 off 28.2 overs (Jason Holder 33*, Keacy Carty 26, Wiaan Mulder 4-18, Nandre Burger 2-32)
Though pleased with aspects of their performance in the first Test against South Africa, West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite stressed the need for his team to step up their performance in the second Test as the two-match series hangs in the balance.
After securing a hard-fought draw in the first encounter in Trinidad and Tobago, Brathwaite is confident that his side can deliver a stronger showing in the decisive contest to clinch a 1-0 series win in Guyana and, more importantly, get points on the board to move up the ICC Test Championships standings. They are currently sitting at the bottom of the standings with a solitary win.
“I think it's important to get a good first-inning total; that is one thing we discussed as a batting group, and bowling, we just have to be disciplined. I think we were decent in the first game, and we just have to aim to be better,” Brathwaite said in a pre-game press conference.
Reflecting on the series opener, which was severely affected by rain, Brathwaite expressed a mixture of relief and determination, as his team was possibly staring down defeat before Alick Athanaze’s well-played knock of 92 and bad light intervened on the final day.
Alick Athanaze produced a tidy second-inning knock in the first Test. (AFP)
A number of West Indies batsmen had starts across both innings but failed to push on. The scores in that game were South Africa 357 and 173-3 declared, while the Caribbean side mustered 233 and 201-5.
"Obviously, we can’t control the weather. I think batting-wise, the first thing is the total. I think we could have put more runs on the board. So, as I said, I think that was a big focus of ours in terms of a good first innings total. And, you know, bowling wise, obviously pitch didn't offer much, especially for the fast boys. They didn't get much spin in the first innings as well,” Brathwaite shared.
“But I think we were quite disciplined. I was happy the guys scored out pretty much two runs on over for the innings, so I was happy with that. But I just think it's important, you know, to get a good all-round game. Batting wise, obviously we got to come to the party; first innings will be very crucial on this pitch, and then bowling wise, I think dot balls are very important,” he added.
The Barbadian also stressed the importance of maintaining pressure on South Africa, especially with the Providence pitch expected to be low and slow, similar to the one they encountered at Queens Park Oval last week. Should that be the case, Brathwaite believes a more resilient and focused effort will be crucial on this occasion.
In fact, the addition of Guyanese Shamar Joseph is an indication of West Indies’ aim to exploit the conditions as best as they can.
“It’s a similar type of surface to Trinidad, to be honest, in terms of slowness. Obviously, some of the Guyanese players on the team would know it better than most of the other players. So I think the communication between the guys has been good. We all know that it's the slowest pitch, so it's just to work out how, as individual players, we want to go about scoring runs and, obviously, bowling some good spells,” Brathwaite reasoned.
He continued: “From England, we have been discussing those matches that didn’t go as planned. We have one more test match until we get a little break before the next Test series, so it's important that we finish strong and we believe it.
“Obviously, in Trinidad, I was proud of the guys and how we went about the second inning; the guys were positive, and that was good to see. They had it in that, and so we are really pushing and aiming for victory in this last match.”
Finally, Brathwaite had a few words of encouragement for Athanaze, as he believes this decisive game presents an opportunity for West Indies bastmen to demonstrate their growth and capability on the international stage.
“I would encourage him just to be himself. I think in the last game, you can see him sweeping a lot, and I know he's a very good sweeper of the ball, so it's a bit of the same. It's not for him to stop the shot, but just for him to execute better. He has the full support of all the guys, and it is just encouragement because we know he could get the job done,” the skipper ended.
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