These parents were not limited by their fears and conventional thinking:
Sports
IPL and West Indies Cricket
IPL and West Indies Cricket
Declining interest in cricket among young men started long before the advent of the IPL. Instead of bemoaning the decision of key players to opt for the IPL instead of playing for the West Indies we should face the realities and embrace this as a blessing in disguise.
In much the same way that the entertainment industry attracts young persons who are seeking a viable means of making a living, the T20 leagues provide an option for many who may not make the cut at the highest level.
Consider the Kevon Coopers who might have been confined to playing regionally for virtually no pay. He and others like him might be inspired to develop their skills in the knowledge that there are attractive opportunities around the world for highly skilled cricketers.
West Indies was strong when we had scores making a living in county and league cricket. The IPL and T20 leagues present a counter-point to basketball and football.
Reflect on the amazing interest in athletics in Jamaica not indirectly linked to the vast opportunities for many who could not qualify for a small squad of elite performers to make a substantial living.
The lessons from a Sunil Narine who rebounded from having to correct his action to earning megabucks in a short period of time will not be lost on many who will now commit to more serious time in the nets. This can only be good for West Indies cricket in the medium and long term.
There is no guarantee that if the IPL players were available we would beat higher ranked teams. Those players are making a far more significant contribution to the development of West Indies cricket.
Time will tell!
Chris Gayle’s Outstanding T20 record
Lovers of cricket should review these amazing stats re Chris Gayle and his T20 performance.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/big-bash-league-2011/content/story/548566.html
Windies about to set another cricket record
They are now aiming to set another Test match record.
They will lose the 3rd Test against India (Nov 26, 2011) after scoring the highest losing first innings score (590).
Here is a list of teams that have lost a Test after scoring 500 or more in the first innings:
- 1894-95 Australia 586 and 166 lost to England 325 and 437 at Sydney by 16 runs.
- 1910-11 South Africa 506 and 80 lost to Australia 348 and 327 at Melbourne by 89 runs
- 1928-29 England 519 and 257 lost to Australia 491 and 287 for 5 at Melbourne by 5 wickets
- 1952-53 Australia 520 and 209 lost to South Africa 435 and 297 for 4 at Melbourne by 6 wickets
- 1968-69 West Indies 526 for 7 declared and 92 for two declared lost to England 404 and 215 for 3 at Port-of-Spain by 7 wickets
- 1972-73 Pakistan 574 for 8 declared and 200 lost to Australia 441 for 5 declared and 425 at Melbourne by 92 runs
- 1992-93 Sri Lanka 547 for 8 declared and 164 lost to Australia 256 and 471 at Colombo by 16 runs
- 2003-04 Australia 556 and 196 lost to India 523 and 233 for 6 at Adelaide by 4 wickets. —AFP
Post-script:
Turns out the game ended in one of the most exciting finishes in Test cricket history. With 3 balls to go any of 4 results could take place.
Read the report here:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-west-indies-2011/content/current/story/542149.html
Why Test Cricket Works
Here is another set of reasons why test cricket is still key:
For the first time in the history of test cricket (2016 matches), 2 batsmen from both teams get out twice on a single day. {Day 2 South Africa versus Australia – Newlands November 2011.}
Australia were 21 for 9 and all out for 47 and South Africa made 96 all out. Yet 3 batsmen score centuries – Michael Clarke 151, Graeme Smith 101 n.o. and HM Amla 112.
Amazing!
We witnessed the four innings of a test match on a single day.
The end of Aussies first innings was completed on Day 2. Michael Clarke got out on the morning of Day 2. He also got out in Australia’s second innings on the same day.
SA was bowled out for 96 in 130 minutes and 24.3 overs. JA Rudolph made 18 of them facing 28 balls.
Aus made 47 in their second innings with time for SA to bat again. In all this Michael Clarke who made 151 in the first innings got out a second time on the same day for 2 (16 balls).
The unfortunate JA Rudolph got out a second time on the same day and Amla could have joined him but for a dropped catch. This history was made. 2 batsmen from opposing teams getting out twice on the same day in a test match.
For Smith and Amla to score centuries and SA to win by 8 wickets is truly remarkable under the circumstances.
Cricket Craziness
Amazing!
We could witness the four innings of a test match on a single day. Australia v South Africa first Test 2011.
The end of Aussies first innings was completed on Day 2.
Then SA was bowled out for 96 in 130 minutes and 24.3 overs
Then are all out for Aus 47 in their second innings with time for SA to bat again. In all this Michael Clarke made 151.
Match could be completed today.
SA need 236 to win….might as well have been 700 under these conditions.
Why Viv Richards is THE Master Blaster
This article shows that Viv Richards was in a class of his own – especially as it relates to one-day cricket.
Sports As A Career
As parents we tend to hammer home the importance of academic pursuit with our children.
“Have you done your homework?” is a staple feature of dialogue with our kids. How often do we hear “Have you run your laps and done your push-ups”? or “Have you completed your batting (or bowling) practice”?
News just out is that the lowly placed West Indies players in the relatively unattractive sport of cricket have just been awarded contracts.
Some pretty ordinary cricketers are guaranteed US$80,000 and US$100,000 per year. That is more than most executives in the Caribbean earn. It certainly outstrips teachers’ salaries by a long shot.
Of course all this is chicken feed when compared to what is now on offer in Athletics, not to mention Basketball and Football.
The message: Follow up on the development of the physical, sporting skills as well. At a minimum, the child will be healthier.
Here is the report on the cricketers who have been awarded contracts.
Yohan Blake – another Glen Mills product
The world revels in Usain Bolt’s celebrity and now Yohan Blake blazes to an amazing 19:26 in the 200 Meters. There is a thread that joins the two – Glen Mills.
Glen Mills has a long history of training world class sprinters. He is the coach that guided Raymond Stewart to the Olympic 100 meters final while Stewart was still in school.
Recall also that Mills took over Bolt when there was a national outrage at the fact that a national treasure was being wasted and Bolt was under-performing to an alarming extent.
We should also remember that Kim Collins spent time in the Glen Mills coached Racers Track Club set up.
Now, 21-year old Yohan Blake has run probably the fastest 100 meters ever. Consider, 19:26 over 200 meters means an average of 9:63 for each 100 meters. He ran the first 100 meters so slowly that the last 100 probably dipped under 9 seconds. Certainly the last 40 meters were simply astounding.
Watch out world – Glen Mills is at it again!
Glen Mills needs to get the global and national recognition that his genius deserves.
TrevorESSmith 