Let’s all work for unity
February 9, 2019
Trusting Daddy for our daily bread
February 9, 2019

WI’s vast improvement

The past ten days of cricket between England and the West Indies in two test matches may well have brought renewed vigour to the Caribbean players who took part.

The success of the WI has brought much joy over the performances, inviting fans to show their joy because of the team’s victories in a short space of time.

Some folks are already claiming that the newly reappointed Director of Cricket of Cricket West Indies (CWI), Richard Pybus is responsible for this miraculous transformation.

The International Cricket Council’s Test world rankings have changed and WI captain Jason Holder is placed as the world’s number one all-rounder. He may well have attracted special credit by some fine swing bowling which made the current English batsmen look like struggling tailenders, especially as his speed and swing were supported by Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel, whose contributions were also excellent.

Incidentally, I wish to extend sincerest condolences to the young fast bowler Alzarri Joseph on the passing of his mother. We thank her for leaving us all with such a fine young cricketer. May she rest in peace.

The captain brought more happiness to his home fans in Barbados with a double century in the first test at the Kensington Oval, and was partnered by Shane Dowrich’s century with a superb stroke display.

Unfortunately, many of the leading batsmen have not contributed much. Kraigg Braithwaite, John Campbell, Darren Bravo, and Shai Hope played well scoring between 30 and 50, but were unable to lengthen their application and concentration to a century.

I am a strong believer in victory and success. The CWI will be scrutinised carefully for the next year or two, so that the players can prove that their improvement came because of the presence of Pybus and his English friends who are supporting him.

I’m not surprised by the liveliness of the pitch at the Kensington where batting first against good West Indian fast bowlers has been more or less a nightmare for even some of the best batters in the world.

I am certain Sir Wes Hall, Sir Charles Griffith, Mike Holding, Sir Curtly Ambrose, Courtenay Walsh and other WI fast bowling greats can vouch for the astounding results of our present crop thanks to the pace in the wicket.

Congratulations to the CWI, their selectors and, of course, the selected players for the results. The fans expect a level of consistency from this time onwards.