Bravo, Pollard omission no victimisation says Lloyd

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) — West Indies chief cricket selector Clive Lloyd says the omission of Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard from the World Cup squad is no act of victimisation for their roles in the controversial abandoned tour of India

Bravo and Pollard were not named in the 15-man squad announced to contest the World Cup which bowls off in Australia and New Zealand next month.

Speaking on Sportsmax Zone Monday night, Lloyd, the chairman of selectors, defended the decision not to select the two Trinidadian cricketers, insisting that it was not victimisation and that it was time to try something different.

“There were two days of discussions with the three other selectors and the captain and there were very strong arguments for the players and we came out with what we thought was a pretty good team,” Lloyd explained.

“It was not easy to leave out those two guys. It is a discussion that went on and on and on and in the end we thought that we have so many all-rounders. We were trying to see if we can introduce some new faces and as far as I am concerned I think we have a good all-round one-day side.”

View the original article here

Bravo, Pollard
omission no victimisation says Lloyd

Narine, Bravo, Roach in World Cup quad

ST JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda (AFP) — Highlyrated off spinner Sunil Narine, top-order batsman Darren Bravo and fast bowler Kemar Roach were all named in the West Indies World Cup squad yesterday despite missing out on the current South Africa tour.

Narine was summoned to share spin-bowling duties with Sulieman Benn, Bravo was recalled after choosing to sit out the current series for “personal reasons”, while Roach has recovered from an injury suffered in the team’s 220-run defeat against South Africa in the first Test last month.

Barbados all-rounder Jason Holder was confirmed as captain with experienced batsman Marlon Samuels appointed vice-captain.

The most experienced ODI player in the squad is opener Chris Gayle with 258 appearances. Samuels (162), Denesh Ramdin (115) and Darren Sammy (115) all have over a hundred ODI games under their belts, while Dwayne Smith (94) could achieve his 100th appearance during the World Cup which starts on February 14.

The squad has a total of 1,156 ODI appearances with only Sheldon Cottrell and Jonathan Carter yet to debut internationally. Carter and Cottrell are both in the ODI squad to face South Africa in a five-match series to commence shortly.

“I believe we have selected a very good team which will do West Indies proud at the World Cup,” said Clive Lloyd, the West Indies chairman of selectors. “We have a good mixture of some good seasoned players and some good youngsters who will fly the West Indies flag in Australia and New Zealand.

“If they play to their potential I am quite sure we will do very well. I have really high hopes in this team.

I believe they can do something special.” As expected, there was no World Cup reprieve for former captain Dwayne Bravo, who was axed after the team’s controversial decision to quit October’s tour of India four matches into a five-game One- Day Series over a pay dispute.

West Indies play their opening World Cup match on February 16 against Ireland before going on to face Pool B rivals, defending champions India, South Africa, Pakistan, Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates.

West Indies squad: Jason Holder (captain), Marlon Samuels, Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Jonathan Carter, Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Darren Sammy, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Jerome Taylor.

View the original article here

Narine, Bravo, Roach in World Cup quad

Smith fails, Bravo flickers but Chennai still win handsomely

BANGALORE, India (CMC) — West Indies one-day captain Dwayne Bravo played a minor role while opener Dwayne Smith failed again, but Chennai Super Kings did just enough to beat Perth Scorchers by 13 runs and edge closer to a semi-final spot in the Champions League Twenty20 here Saturday.

Sent in, Chennai overcame a terrible start to post 155 for six off their 20

overs and then produced a clinical bowling performance to restrict Scorchers to 142 for seven at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

With the victory, Chennai moved to 10 points from their full complement of matches and into second spot behind Kolkata Knight Riders who have already qualified for the semis.

Chennai can only be caught by Lahore Lions who have six points and play Scorchers in their final game tomorrow.

Hunting a crucial win, Chennai stumbled to 56 for four in the 12th

over before being rescued by a 64-run, sixth-wicket stand between Ravi Jadeja (44 not out) and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (35).

Brendon McCullum (11) and Suresh Raina perished within the space of three balls in the third over to leave Chennai on 16 for two.

Smith, recently named in West Indies one-day team for the tour of India, continued his struggles with the bat when he struck two fours in scoring 11 from 13 balls before he was bowled by seamer Yasir Arafat with the score on 33 for three.

When Mithun Manhas fell for 18, Chennai were 56 for four, but Bravo combined with Jadeja to add 23 for the fifth wicket and stem the haemorrhaging.

Bravo scored a patient 27 from 26 balls with a four and a six and was threatening to explode when he missed a prod at one from off-spinner Ashton Turner and was bowled off stump in the 15th over.

However, Jadeja smashed four fours and two sixes in his 28-ball knock, while Dhoni thumped four massive sixes in his 16-ball stay, to rally the innings.

Scorchers were never really in the hunt, losing wickets steadily, as off-spinner Ravi Ashwin with three for 20 from his four overs, crippled the innings.

View the original article here

Smith fails, Bravo flickers but Chennai still win handsomely

"Bravo" to junior athletes at CAC Championships

Visiting teams often struggle with Mexico’s altitude.

But when you add adverse weather in Morelia to the mix,  you get a picture of the trying conditions faced by Jamaican athletes to the Central American and Caribbean Championships. 

The athletes were pleased to return to the island’s warm sunshine on Monday. 

They had a 43 medal haul at the championships, 15 gold, 17 silver and 11 bronze, one short of the 2012 tally. 

But head coach Michael McIntosh provided the context which he says must be used to judge the performances.

“I am satisfied with the fact that these kids have really, really performed out of their skin”, he said. “The conditions were not what we would have liked, but these kids really acquitted themselves well and continued the tradition of Jamaican trackand field.

It’s a busy summer for the nation’s juniors, as next up is the World Junior Championship in the United States.  

A 40 member team has been selected for those championships in Eugene, Oregon, scheduled to run from July 22 to 27.

View the original article here

"Bravo" to junior athletes at CAC Championships

Windies were caught "off guard", says captain Bravo

QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand (CMC) — West Indies’ captain Dwayne Bravo says his players were caught “off guard” by the New Zealand batting assault in the third One-Day International (ODI) on Wednesday.

New Zealand steamrolled West Indies by 159 runs to win the one-sided encounter and level the five-match series one game each.The third ODI was on the verge of being called off due to the weather, but the teams got in 21 overs each, with New Zealand powering to 283 for 4, while the visitors crawled to 124 for five.“Bad weather, shortened version, we fancied our chances equally, just as good as the New Zealand team,” Bravo said.“We wanted to bowl first, we won the toss, we did that, but I think the way New Zealand batters batted really caught us off guard.”New Zealand inning was highlighted by the fastest international century from Corey Anderson, and the sixth-fastest ODI ton from Jesse Ryder.“They took their chances and it came off, there was no stopping them. Jesse Ryder set the tone, Brendon McCullum, the cameo he played actually gave the other players the freedom to come in and be positive,” said Bravo.“Players batting like that, in good form, good strikers of the ball, there’s not much you can really do as a team or as a captain, so you’ve got to give credit to them.”The West Indian bowlers were punished with Sunil Narine and Ravi Rampaul bearing the brunt of Anderson’s carnage conceding four sixes in an over each with Rampaul’s three overs costing 64 runs.“It was tough for us, cold conditions, one-over spells, it is not easy for any bowling team to actually come on and be spot-on,” the ODI skipper said.“We have to regroup. We are not going to let this game dampen our spirit.”Apart from a score of 29 from Narsingh Deonarine, the only other batsmen contributing double-digit scores were Chadwick Walton with 17 and Lendl Simmons 17.“I’m a bit disappointed about how we went about our batting as well; that’s one area I definitely think we need to improve on,” said Bravo, who top scored for West Indies with an unbeaten 56.“Chasing 280 in 21 overs is always going to be difficult, but I think we could have [put on] a better batting display.”The fourth ODI is carded for this evening (Caribbean time).

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don’t use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed:mailto:advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

comments powered by

View the original article here

Windies were caught "off guard", says captain Bravo

NZ batting caught us off guard, says Bravo

QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand (CMC) –West Indies’ captain Dwayne Bravo says his players were caught “off guard” by the New Zealand batting assault in the third One Day International (ODI) on Wednesday.

New Zealand steamrolled West Indies by 159 runs to win the one-sided encounter and level the five match series one game each.The third ODI, was on the verge of being called off due to the weather, but the teams got in 21 overs each, with New Zealand powering to 283 for 4 while the visitors crawled to 124 for five.“Bad weather, shortened version, we fancied our chances equally, just as good as the New Zealand team,” Bravo said.“We wanted to bowl first, we won the toss, we did that, but I think the way New Zealand batters batted really caught us off guard.”New Zealand innings were highlighted by the fastest international century from Corey Anderson and the sixth-fastest ODI ton from Jesse Ryder.“They took their chances and it came off, there was no stopping them. Jesse Ryder set the tone, Brendon McCullum, the cameo he played actually gave the other players the freedom to come in and be positive,” said Bravo.“Players batting like that, in good form, good strikers of the ball, there’s not much you can really do as a team or as a captain, so you’ve got to give credit to them.”The West Indian bowlers were punished with Sunil Narine and Ravi Rampaul bearing the brunt of Anderson’s carnage conceding four sixes in an over each with Rampaul’s three overs costing 64 runs.“It was tough for us, cold conditions, one-over spells, it is not easy for any bowling team to actually come on and be spot-on,” the ODI skipper said.“We have to regroup. We are not going to let this game dampen our spirit.”“I’m a bit disappointed about how we went about our batting as well, that’s one area I definitely think we need to improve on,” said Bravo who top scored for West Indies with an unbeaten 56.Apart from a score of 29 from Narsingh Deonarine the only other batsmen contributing double digit scores were Chadwick Walton with 17 and Lendl Simmons 17.“Chasing 280 in 21 overs is always going to be difficult, but I think we could have [put on] a better batting display.”The fourth ODI is carded for Friday evening Caribbean time.

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don’t use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed:mailto:advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

comments powered by

View the original article here

NZ batting caught us off guard, says Bravo

Captain Bravo ends speculation over Gayle’s return

Sport

Friday, January 03, 2014 | 8:22 AM

NELSON, New Zealand (CMC) — West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo has brushed aside speculation that flamboyant opener Chris Gayle will be back in the side in time for the two T20 matches to end their tour of New Zealand.Coach Ottis Gibson had said that he was hoping Gayle would return for the T20s as he recovers in Sydney from a hamstring injury.“Chris has a while to go. There’s a lot of cricket to be played in 2014 for us and we don’t want to rush him back too soon,” said Bravo.“We have a T20 World Cup to defend [in March/April] and he’s going to be a big part of that tournament along with [Kieron] Pollard. We’re going to allow them to take their time to recover”.Gayle suffered the hamstring tear in India in November and was originally expected to be sidelined for about a month.He raised hopes of a return for the New Zealand tour last month when he appeared in Sydney and was photographed batting in the nets.“He’s doing his rehab there and it’s the right approach. He flew himself over there to ensure he got the right treatment and therapy. He wants to come back fitter and stronger and there’s a lot of cricket in 2014,” said Bravo.“He’s in the right place, we keep in contact and he has a close eye on what is going on and always wishes us all the best. As a team we can’t wait to have him back”.The tour-ending Twenty20 internationals are scheduled for Auckland on January 11 and Wellington on January 15.Gayle suffered a hamstring tear in India in November 2013.

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don’t use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed:mailto:advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

comments powered by

View the original article here

Captain Bravo ends speculation over Gayle’s return

Captain Bravo steers TT Red Steel to one-run win

Sport

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — An impressive all-round performance from captain Dwayne Bravo steered the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel to a thrilling one-run victory over the Antigua Hawksbills in their rain-affected CPL T20 match on Sunday night at Queens Park Oval.Chasing a revised target of 134 off 15 overs, the Hawksbills were restricted to 132 for eight, giving the Red Steel their second win of the tournament. The Red Steel, who had won the toss and opted to bat, scored 169 off 20 overs before rain caused the loss of 90 minutes of play and forced a Duckworth/Lewis revision of the target.The Hawksbills came close to pulling off a surprise win when they entered the last over needing 19 runs and with Jamaican Sheldon Cotterell in a dismissive mood. He smashed two sixes in the over, including clearing the fence off the last ball, but his midnight, heroics that included 19 off seven balls, were unable to produce a win for the Antiguan team.In his team’s innings, Bravo slammed 46 off 25 balls in sharing a 73-run fourth-wicket stand with his brother Darren Bravo (38) that propelled the Red Steel to a challenging total beyond 150.He then returned to capture two wickets for 14 runs and also held a catch to cheaply dismiss opposing captain Marlon Samuels. Bravo was fittingly named Man-of-the-Match.The Red Steel batsmen cleared the boundary five times, with four of the sixes coming from the bat of the captain as he gave the innings some critical momentum in the last six overs. The Red Steel smashed 101 off their last 10 overs in an aggressive display of power-hitting that put them in position to press for their second victory of the tournament.However, they were forced to get the opposition in check after a threatening start by West Indies and Hawksbills opener Johnson Charles, who smashed a boundary-studded 46 off 28 balls.Once Charles was bowled by a slower ball from Bravo, the Red Steel took a firm grip on the match, as the Hawksbills slipped from 41 for one in four overs to 85 for five by the 10th.Wickets fell regularly and the Hawksbills struggled late in the match but, with some late hitting from Australian Ben Roher (25) and Sheldon Cotterell, they managed to get into a position where the Red Steel were greatly bothered in the last over.Eight were needed from the last two balls bowled by seamer Delorn Johnson, but the Red Steel got over the hurdle inspite of the closing six from Cotterell.

View the original article here

Captain Bravo steers TT
Red Steel to
one-run win

Bravo under pressure as Windies seek to square ODI series

Sport

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

GROS ISLET, Saint Lucia (AFP) — West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo will be under the microscope when the final One-Day International of the five-match series against Pakistan is played at the Beausejour Stadium in St Lucia today.Following a six-wicket win in the rain-affected fourth match at the same venue on Sunday, the tourists enjoy an unbeatable 2-1 lead in the series, and the hosts are under increasing pressure to get the win that will square the rubber and at least reassure Caribbean fans that the regional team is steadily improving in the countdown to the next World Cup.The third fixture, also played at Beausejour, finished in a tie.Despite proving to be extremely expensive in the final overs of their opponents’ innings so far in the series, Bravo has continued to opt for his medium-pacers at the death, often resulting in a significant acceleration of the Pakistani scoring.He finally admitted in the aftermath of defeat on Sunday that those tactics will have to be revisited. Yet it remains to be seen what he will choose to do on the day given the reluctance to utilise Darren Sammy when the late charge is on, despite the fact that the former ODI captain has been consistently one of the most economical bowlers with his medium-pacers.Pakistan have no such concerns, and after ensuring that their unbeaten run in head-to-head series in the West Indies since the 1988 tour will be extended, are in no mood to relax.“We’re looking forward to winning again. We gained a lot from that win (on Sunday) and confidence will be high for this final game,” said Pakistan Captain Misbah-ul-Haq in anticipating the final challenge.He was full of praise for left-arm seamer Junaid Khan. Together with Mohammad Irfan, they have been the most effective spearheads for Pakistan. However, their third left-armer, Wahab Riaz, has found the going tough in the last two matches and may be forced to make way for Asad Ali, who opened the bowling in the first two matches in Guyana.Following today’s series finale, the teams travel to St Vincent for back-to-back T20 Internationals at the weekend, which will conclude Pakistan’s short tour.

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don’t use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed:mailto:advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

comments powered by Other Stories

Montesso, Gama quit national programme — Burrell

MVP athletes for JAAA camp

Powell, Simpson request testing of ‘B’ samples

Jamaica in 4 finals at Caribbean Junior Squash Champs

Bravo under pressure as Windies seek to square ODI series

Jamaica bow out of contention

Martinique dethrone Trinidad

Young Girlz begin quest for U-20 WCup

‘Phanso’ denied

Watson, Foster claim TT crowns

Samuels says he has conquered Pakistan bowling

Jamaica post early wins at Caribbean Squash Champs

Melbourne, St Thomas eliminated from Wray & Nephew Masters T/20 cricket

Barbados win, Windwards, Jamaica take first innings

Knights, Spartans take early lead

Under-15 cricketers facing defeat against Windwards

Bolt among 29 Olympians for London Diamond League

MVP commits to JAAA’s World Games camp

US, Honduras advance to Gold Cup semis

Tanto misses bronze, as Hudson, Brascoe stumble

View the original article here

Bravo under pressure as Windies seek to square ODI series

Bravo takes blame for Windies TriNation exit

News

Thursday, July 11, 2013 | 9:16 AM

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Captain of the West Indies One Day International (ODI) team Dwayne Bravo has accepted part of the blame for the regional side being knocked out of the Celkon Mobile Cup Tri Series.West Indies were on the brink of securing a place in the final after successive wins over Sri Lanka and India on the Jamaica leg.However Bravo’s men did not carry their winnings ways to Trinidad and when India beat Sri Lanka by 81 runs on the Duckworth/Lewis method  they were denied a berth in the finals.“Yeah obviously it (being captain) is a big responsibility and the performance of the team reflects on the captain,” Bravo told a news conference in Port of Spain on Wednesday.“I myself, whether it is due to injury or slow over rates, have some key things I need to work on as a leader. It is a new form to me, a new role so I have to get accustomed to it and address it as quickly as possible”.Stand-in captain Kieron Pollard had earlier criticised as disappointing West Indies 39 run loss to Sri Lanka on Monday.Pollard, who had scored a four-ball duck, was also critical of batsmen after Windies bowlers gave the team an advantage by taking early wickets.Bravo has echoed the sentiments of his countryman and team mate that the Windies batting department needs to show more consistency.“It is always difficult to point, to pick out what went wrong, but together as a team we have to take responsibility of a very disappointing end to a very good start,”  Bravo told reporters.“You know, we are too inconsistent as a team. We show signs of improvement and then we take a step backwards. I think that is something that we definitely need to try and iron out as early as possible in order for us to move up in the rankings of ODI cricket”.

View the original article here

Bravo takes blame for Windies TriNation exit