The VelloCricket Journal

Well Well Well the great eagle strikes again. Since when a CRICKET coach is cavalier enough to take up reins of a team mere days before a tournament. No disrespect to my fellow Trini Mr. Singh. But any team any coach needs at least a month of work with at minimum the team’s core players. This will be Singh’s third stint as a National coach. And its the third occurrence which is undeserving. I would go on to stay that USACA and its current HONCHOS need to be dumped by the caucus. Furthermore the USACA should be renamed to purge the blight which has slighted our beloved sport in this here great nation. Kudos to those who have put principle first, those ladies from Lynx who have forgone national duty for dignity will be rewarded for this gesture. To those who have been entrusted with the responsibility of qualifying us for the World Cup, best of luck make us proud spur on this cricketing Nation.

To address the issue of stipends. Our women are qualifying for the World Cup unlike our men who can seem to understand the meaning of international cricket. The women are going for world cup they should earn a similar of greater stipend than the lads. The women got $100K donation. How can us spend 63K on a training camp and not have enough for the main tournament that is just insane.

CHA is looking to have a T20 tournament with local and international pros. The initial complaints were about the pitches in Florida. What is the short term and long term goals and objective for the Tournament. What with be the format? Regions, Franchisees? A tournament at on venue of a tournament that attempts to attract a fan base across the national. We need answers what about sponsors and corporate partnerships?

On the issue of national structure the entire system is flawed. Clubs feed into the Leagues and Leagues supply the Regional teams from which the National team is selected. Our clubs contest T20 and limited over between 30 and 40 overs per team. The Inter league structure follows similar to that of the Clubs. For us New Yorkers the Club season runs from May till early October, giving cricketer five full months of cricket. Inter League tournaments are as short and instantaneous as Regional tournaments. Regional tournament are two three day events each year and are t20 and 50 over tournaments like the Division Tournaments. The point is the players who are competing against each other on a regular basis. We have eight regions, we need these region playing each other at least one a in a season even more, mo’ better. So too the longer version of the game has to be incorporated as we cannot wait till USA is playing in Division one for our regions to play three day cricket and our clubs two day affairs. Tomorrow starts now!!! We need transparency, corporation and partnership.

Since the start of the World West Indies have been made “to depend” rather that utilize its allrounders.  This has diluted the batting and saturated the bowling attack. Today the Caribbean side played Nkruma Bonner, Chris Barnwell and Andre Russell already that’s three allrounders and Sammy has not been mentioned. Dwayne Smith opened the batting in familiar conditions and showed good reason why he was considered for this tour albeit a number of regulars  missing.  Smith like his opening partner Jonathan Charles proved that they were not just in London on an excursion, as both earned their picks with the bat on a rather flat night from the Caribbean side. The only other name noteworthy of mention was that of Danza Hyatt as his workman like cameo help to propel his team to a respectable total.

Once the English spinners let it rip it was one way traffic for the rest of the evening. Batting at number five Bonner looked the part of a number eleven rather than a recognized batsman. Bonner was the beginning of the allrounders in the batting line up and those who follow, showed why there was need for more depth in the batting. Barnwell like Derwin Christian failed to make an impact like the few innings they have played prior in similar situation. Andre Russell was not given an opportunity to get going as he showed earlier this season. West Indies 125 all out was at least 30 runs short of a total to make a game of this match up.

In the field Sammy lacked vision as his unit looked tame. Wicketkeeper Christian’s failure to collect from outfield throws provide semblance to a club player or a club match, far from the reaches of  an international fixture. The bowling attack lacked venom from ball one as 43 percent of deliveries to Alex Hales were short. Sammy’s poor intuition showed as early as the fifth over as he continued with the quickies for an additional two overs thereafter. England had stymied the West Indian run flow with its spin twin of Swann and Patel to leave Ravi Bopara to clean up shop. The order of the day had already been decided by the time emerging player of the year Devendra Bishoo began to beat the bat. From the other end Bonner was short and never threatened Hales or Kieswetter.

Sammy and co have a day’s rest to contemplate and plan for a more aggressive and purposeful showing on Sunday. The expectations would be that Smith, Charles and Hyatt continue where they left off. But for the rest of the squad much meditation would be necessary. Marlon Samuels need to regain the form that made him the under study of Steve Waugh, form that he has shown earlier this season however they have come in spurts. To Otis Gibson,  Santokie may be his best kept secret on tour and has done more that enough with the ball to earn his first cap. So, too Miles Bascombe should be eager to make use of the opportunities within his reach as this team is in dire need of batting depth.  That would mean Bonner and Fidel Edwards making way.

In retrospect Chesney Hughes would have been a clever selection on this tour with two seasons in county cricket opening the bat as well as his slow left arm bowling. That may provide insight as to how much attention the selectors are paying to our oversees professionals. But only time will tell as to the vision the the managers of West Indian cricket.

We looked forward to a more competitive affair in the clincher of the English summer as the Windies move on to the sub continent with more familiar faces to battle the tigers.