West Indies opener Lendl Simmons announces retirement from international cricket
WI vs SA | Lendl Simmons plays one of the worst knocks in T20 World Cup
T20 World Cup | England bundle West Indies out for their lowest WC total
CPL 2021 | 1st Semi-Final Preview: Confident Trinbago face inconsistent Kings for a spot in final
Trinbago Knight Riders etched a win against Patriots in their last league match to seal the top spot in the Caribbean Premier League points table on Monday, September 13 and will now take on Saint Lucia Kings in the first semi-final of the CPL 2021 slated to take place on Tuesday in St Kitts. Trinbago rode on captain Kieron Pollard’s masterclass with the bat after he struck a 22-ball 51 to help the side chase down a target of 148 runs in 20 overs. Apart from Pollard, Isuru Udana also chipped in with some runs after he scored 25* off 16 to see the side home. The TKR batting looks stable at the moment barring some hiccups that they faced during the chase against the Patriots. The Knight Riders’ batting unit comprises some prominent names like Lendl Simmons, Tim Seifert and Colin Munro in the ranks. While Simmons and Munro can provide a steady start to the proceedings up the order, Seifert, Darren Bravo and Pollard will have the onus on themselves to capitalise on it. In the bowling department, Ali Khan was on song against the SKNP after he bagged a three-for at the cost of just 19 in the allotted 4 overs. Apart from him, the TKR team has the services of Udana and experienced campaigner Ravi Rampaul in fast bowling while Sunil Narine and Akeal Hosein jeer up the spin department. The side looks pretty balanced at the moment and would be riding high on confidence after the win in their last encounter. The Kings on the other hand are coming into this game after suffering a defeat in their final league match against Barbados Royals. The Royals’ batsmen Kyle Mayers and Glenn Phillips hammered the Saint Lucia bowlers all around the park and helped the side win the match by 8 wickets after chasing down a stiff target of 191 runs with more than an over to spare. While Mayers remained unbeaten at a 62-ball 81, Phillips unleashed a brutal knock and scored 80* in just 39 deliveries that included nine maximums. Apart from Jeavor Royal, all the Kings bowlers were hit for runs and it was only Roston Chase who was able to pick up a wicket. Well, the Kings were without their regular captain Faf du Plessis as he was carrying a groin injury and missed the fixture. The Saint Lucia side would be hoping that he returns back to play the all-important semi-final clash. While the Saint Lucia bowlers were hammered for runs, the side still had some positives to take away from this game. The batting unit, especially the top-order was among runs and the side eventually posted 190/6 in 20 overs. Chase has been in good form for the Kings in this competition and the team management would be banking on him to continue with what he has been doing. Match Details Match: Trinbago Knight Riders vs Saint Lucia Kings, CPL 2021 Date: September 14, 2021 (Tuesday) Time: 7:30 PM (IST) Venue: Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts TV: Star Sports Network Pitch Report The pitch can assist the batsmen during the clash between Trinbago Knight Riders and Saint Lucia Kings. So, if you win the toss, elect to bat first and try to put up a good total on the board. Probable XI Trinbago Knight Riders: Lendl Simmons, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Colin Munro, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard (c), Tim Seifert, Isuru Udana, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales, Ali Khan, Ravi Rampaul Saint Lucia Kings: Andre Fletcher (wk), Rahkeem Cornwall, Faf du Plessis (c), Roston Chase, Tim David, Samit Patel, David Wiese, Keemo Paul, Wahab Riaz, Alzarri Joseph, Jeavor Royal Fantasy XI Andre Fletcher (wk), Lendl Simmons, du Plessis, Colin Munro, Sunil Narine, Isuru Udana, Kieron Pollard (VC), Roston Chase (C), Rahkeem Cornwall, David Wiese, Jeavor Royal
CPL 2021 Preview: Trinbago seek to book semis spot, Patriots to take stage for final dress rehearsal
The Patriots and Trinbago Knight Riders will be up against each other in the final match of the league stage on Monday in St Kitts. The two sides faced each other in the last encounter on Sunday at the same venue where the Patriots rode on a brilliant hundred from Evin Lewis to win the match by 8 wickets while chasing a target of 160 in 20 overs and cement a place in the semi-final. The SKNP side has already qualified for the semis but will look to carry the momentum before going into the knockouts. Lewis was in terrific form in the last match while Chris Gayle got a quick-fire 35 off 18 during the course. Apart from these two, the Patriots have some prominent names such as Ravi Bopara, Dwayne Bravo, Fabian Allen and Sheldon Cottrell in the ranks while Sherfane Rutherford is going through a brilliant run in the competition. On the other side, Trinbago will have to win this final encounter. But the Knight Riders’ bowling attack struggled against the Patriots baring Sunil Narine who just gave away 10 runs in 4 overs. Moreover, the Trinbago team had a dismal run while fielding as well as they dropped some catches during the course. While it is going to be a dress rehearsal for Patriots, the TKR team management has some issues to fix before the side takes the field. Match Details Match: SNP vs TKR, 30th Match, Caribbean Premier League 2021 Date: Monday, September 13, 2021 Time: 4:30 AM (Sep 13) Venue: Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts Pitch Report The batsmen were the dominant force during the last match between the two teams especially in the second innings. While the spinners can have something on offer, dew can also play a role in the later half of the game. So, if you win the toss, elect to field first. Probable XI SKNP: Evin Lewis, Devon Thomas, Chris Gayle (c), Fabian Allen, Ravi Bopara, Dwayne Bravo (c), Joshua Da Silva (w), Dominic Drakes, Paul van Meekeren, Fawad Ahmed, Jon-Russ Jaggesar TKR: Lendl Simmons, Tion Webster, Colin Munro, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard (c), Tim Seifert (w), Sunil Narine, Khary Pierre, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales, Ravi Rampaul Fantasy XI Thomas, Munro, Lewis (C), Simmons, Rutherford, Narine (VC), Udana, Hosein, Rampaul, Khan, Drakes
CPL 2021 | Trinbago return to winning ways with comfortable victory over Tallawahs
Courtesy of a brilliant 70 off just 45 balls from experienced opener Lendl Simmons, the Trinbago Knight Riders chased down comfortably an easy target of 145 set up by the Jamaica Tallawahs to return back to winning ways after three losses from five games. With this win, the Knight Riders registered their third two-pointer on the table and have moved on to third position behind leaders St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and St Lucia Kings, who have tasted three wins in their last four matches. Along with Simmons, Colin Munro played a good hand as well scoring run a ball 34 and partnering Simmons to a crucial 102 runs stand after the early fall of Sunil Narine. The two batters however got our before the match was won and skipper Kieron Pollard along with experienced Darren Bravo finished the game. Imad Wasim was the most successful Tallawahs bowler who picked up two wickets for 19 runs. Earlier in the evening, Knight Riders put Jamaica to bat first after winning the toss. The decision paid for the Pollard led team as they dismantled the Tallawahs top order, pulling them down to 15-5 at the end of the first powerplay, making it the worst power play by a batting side in this year’s CPL. Imad Wasim and Carlos Brathwaite lead the recovery and thanks to their 83 run partnership off 63 balls and some late flourish by Andre Russell, the men in green and yellow were able to reach 144. Brathwaite top-scored for the Tallawahs with 58 from 40 balls. For Trinbago, Akeal Hossein and Ravi Rampaul picked two wickets each.
CPL 2021: Varied armoury brings solidity to Trinbago Knight Riders unit
What could be the most difficult aspect of this game? Batting, bowling or fielding? Probably, yes but more than anything, it is sustaining to stay at the top. That pressure of defending your title in comparison to lifting the trophy for the first time is immense. But this doesn’t seem to be the case with Trinbago Knight Riders. Team manager Colin Borde has already said that the team is under “no pressure” whatsoever. Well, as they say, attack in the best defence. For TKR, this seems to be the basic plan as the side goes into the tournament to defend the title. The defending champions begin the competition against Guyana Amazon Warriors on August 26, 2021 which will also mark the start of CPL 2021 in St Kitts. All the matches will be played at the same venue. TKR have always invested in experience and they have continued to do the same as they picked up the squad for this edition of the CPL. From Kieron Pollard to Sunil Narine and from Yasir Shah to Colin Munro, the unit has a bunch of players with vast experience especially in the shorter format of the game who have played cricket all around the globe and probably under all sorts of conditions. Trinbago Knight Riders squad: Kieron Pollard (captain), Ravi Rampaul, Sunil Narine, Colin Munro, Yasir Shah, Darren Bravo, Lendl Simmons, Khary Pierre, Isuru Udana, Tim Seifert, Anderson Phillip, Denesh Ramdin, Tion Webster, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales, Leonardo Julien, Ali Khan. Team News Trinbago made a bold decision after they let go experienced all-rounder Dwayne Bravo and traded him to St Kitts/Nevis Patriots, with experienced wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin who made a return to the franchise. “Obviously, to any team, Dwayne is an asset,” Borde had said. “We have the requisite expertise and experience to forge ahead.” TKR retained as many 12 players and completed their squad of 16 after the conclusion of CPL draft. They attained the services of Ravi Rampaul, Isuru Udana, Sandeep Lamichchane and wicket keeper batsman Leonardo Julien. But Lamichhane and Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza were later replaced by Pakistan’s Yasir Shah and New Zealand keeper Tim Siefert respectively. Shah had featured in the CPL back in 2018 for the Knight Riders for a short span of time while Siefert was a part of it in the 2020 edition. Lamichhane would be busy with national duties during that time as Nepal would be battling it out against PNG in Oman. Let the willow talk Those who follow the Indian Premier League or are Kolkata Knight Riders fans would know what Sunil Narine brings to the table not just with the ball but with the bat too. Narine has opened the innings for the T20 franchises and the move has come as a success for his sides. The left-handed batsman can fetch runs at brisk pace in the power play overs that gives the side an edge and a basic foundation to post a big total. Apart from him, Darren Bravo and Lendl Simmons are the other two batters who can be lethal against any bowling attack on their day. Both the players have the ability to go after the opponents’ bowling line up and hammer them around the park. West Indies cricket fans would remember how Simmons hammered India in the semis to notch up a 51-ball 82. Interestingly, that was his first game of the tournament. So, if Simmons along with Bravo or Narine go all guns blazing, the bowling attacks would be in all sorts of trouble. Next in the list are some international recruits such as Colin Munro and Tim Seifert. Munro’s tally of 300 T20 matches speaks for itself. The left-hander has scored over 7000 runs in T20 format at a strike-rate of 143.87 which gives one an idea about how menacing he can be with the willow in his hands. Tim Seifert on the other hand, if gets a chance in the final XI can prove to be an asset. The right-hander too has a lot of T20 experience. Captain Kieron Pollard would play a vital role in creating a balance in the batting unit as he is capable enough to steady the ship for the side if and when required while can score runs quickly and increase the scoring-rate whenever needed. The TKR would want him to play that anchor’s role especially while chasing. The presence of wicket-keeper batsman Denesh Ramdin and Isuru Udana in the middle and lower middle-order also brings stability in the batting department for TKR. Variety in bowling Sunil Narine, Yasir Shah, Ravi Rampaul, Isuru Udana, Kieron Pollard and now Jayden Seales. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you see such a bowling line up? Experience? Yes. Strength? Yes. But most importantly, it is the variety that these bowlers bring. Narine is probably one of the most successful bowlers when it comes to power play. He has the ability to keep a check on the run flow especially in the starting of the proceedings. Then comes another spinner, Yasir Shah. The leg-spinners are said to belong to that genre of bowling who are at the receiving end if the batsmen are on song but the leggies are the most lethal and dangerous too. From the wrong-uns to tossed up leg spin deliveries, they can deceive the batsmen with authority and rip through any line up. Moreover, the amount of cricket that Yasir Shah has played, he is a well-equipped bowler. A left-arm pacer has a lot on offer for his team. He can deceive the batsmen with the deliveries coming in or the ones moving away quite efficiently. There came a time in the 2019 World Cup in England where almost all the teams barring India had at least one left-arm pacer in the unit. Though, the conditions were pretty different then but the responsibility would be similar. Trinbago have Isuru Udana in their ranks. The Sri Lankan has played some franchise cricket and his international exposure would come as a boon for the side. TKR have a mix of young lads and experienced campaigners in their side. Someone like Ravi Rampaul would not just only be an important cog in the wheel for the team but he can be one of those players who would mentor and nurture the young crop which includes someone like Jayden Seales. Seales would be riding high on the way he has performed recently in the Tests especially against Pakistan in their first encounter of the series where the pacer bagged a total of 8 wickets. Skipper Pollard will have an extra bit of responsibility on himself as he will have to chip in with some overs as well. The right-arm bowler has impressed everyone with his bowling in the past and would look to pick wickets consistently for the side. Overall, the team looks to be a balanced one and has a lot of variety as well. Probable XI: Sunil Narine, Lendl Simmons, Darren Bravo, Colin Munro, Kieron Pollard (C), Denesh Ramdin, Isuru Udana, Ravi Rampaul, Yasir Shah, Jayden Seales, Akeal Hosein
WI vs Aus | 4th T20I: 'Mr. Consistent' Mitchell Marsh hands Australia first win of the tour
The visiting Australian side finally managed to salvage some lost pride after beating West Indies by 4 runs in the 4th T20I to make the scoreline 3-1 in favour of the home team. It all boiled down to the final over where premier Aussie speedster Mitchell Starc held his nerves and bowled a sensational over restricting the swashbuckling Andre Russell under immense pressure. A target of 190 was always going to be a challenging one for any side. However, with the Windies batters firing all cylinders in the 2nd and the 3rd encounter, they would have backed themselves to chase the total down and it looked all more realistic once openers Lendl Simmons and Evin Lewis blazed away in their respective knocks and shared a 62 runs partnership in less than 5 overs. It was power-hitting of the highest order as both Simmons and Lewis took the Australian bowlers by the scruff of the neck and displayed some exceptional shots. Adam Zampa was entrusted with the job of bowling in the powerplay and he didn’t disappoint. After conceding a boundary, he castled Lewis with a flatter delivery which zipped through his defence and disturbed the timbers. However, Lendl Simmons went on his merry way even in the final powerplay over, taking West Indies to 75 at the end of 6 overs. The foundation was laid and the rest of the batters needed to bat sensibly to see the run chase through. After a blazing knock in the previous encounter, Chris Gayle was dismissed early by the man with the golden arm Mitchell Marsh. It was the dodgy knock of Andre Fletcher which turned the tides in favour of Australia. The hard-hitting right-handed batsman struggled to time the ball and was eventually dismissed by Adam Zampa after scoring just 6 of 14 deliveries. The middle overs proved to be decisive for Australia as they tightened the screws on the Windies batters putting them under the strife. Despite wickets falling at the other end, Simmons looked in complete command and found the boundaries just when the asking rate crept up. Two back to back wickets of Nicholas Pooran and Simmons again tilted the scales in favour of Australia as Mitchell Marsh continued his dream run in the series. With their backs to the wall, Windies needed some fireworks in the last four overs and it was provided by Andre Russell and Fabian Allen. A good 18th over was followed by a massive penultimate over which almost sealed the deal for the home team. Riley Meredith was carted for 25 runs including three consecutive sixes off the blade of Fabian Allen to bring the equation down to 11 required of the final over. With Andre Russell on strike, Windies looked the clear favourites but Mitchell Starc had other ideas. He went around the wicket and kept attacking the pads and Russell never managed to get under any of the first five deliveries. He refused singles on three occasions but with the power and skill set Russell poses, he would have backed himself to finish it off. However, it was a high-class final over which eventually helped Australia win their first game of the series. Early on in the day, it was Australian skipper Aaron Finch who won the toss and opted to bat. After conceding a boundary, fast bowler Oshane Thomas who was playing his first match of the series came back strongly, bagging the wicket of Matthew Wade with some pace and extra bounce. Mitchell Marsh continued his good work at No 3 blazing his way to a stupendous knock of 75 of just 44 deliveries. Along with his skipper Aaron Finch, Marsh shared a mammoth 114 runs stand to lay the foundation for a brisk finish. Marsh in particular carried on his rich vein of form at his new role. He struck some delightful shots, none better than the lofted extra cover drive of a very good delivery of Hayden Walsh Jr. Finch also got back to some run-scoring form and after struggling for a while, he too got hold of a few and went on to score a half-century. Yet again it was leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr who left a lasting impression on the Australian batting line-up bagging back to back wickets of Finch and Alex Carey. Fabian Allen and Hayden Walsh Jr applied the brakes on the Aussie middle order, jolting their chances of going beyond the 200 mark. Walsh Jr bowled brilliantly bagging three more wickets to eventually restrict Australia to 189 in their allotted 20 overs. Mitchell Marsh was Australia’s top scorer while the leggie was again the most successful bowler from the home team. The score proved to be just enough as Australia eked out a narrow 4 runs victory. Brief Scores Australia 189/6 in 20 overs (Mitchell Marsh 75, Aaron Finch 52, Hayden Walsh Jr 3/27) West Indies 185/6 in 20 overs (Lendl Simmons 72, Mitchell Marsh 3/24, Adam Zampa 2/20) Australia won by 4 runs West Indies lead series 3-1.
WI vs SA | 4th T20I: Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard take series into decider
West Indies bounced back in a perfect manner against South Africa in Grenada after beating the visitors by 21 runs in the fourth encounter to level the five-match series 2-2. South Africa who were handed a target of 168 runs in 20 overs were restricted to 146/9, courtesy some fine piece of bowling from Dwayne Bravo. Bravo scalped a four-wicket haul and returned with figures of 4/19 in 4 overs eventually. The Proteas never really looked in control as they lost wickets at regular intervals with only four players crossing the double-figure mark. Wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock though showed some resistance as he chipped in with 60 off 43 in the innings but no other batsman made any valuable contribution and the side eventually suffered a defeat in this clash. Apart from Bravo, Andre Russell picked up a couple of wickets while Chris Gayle, Obed McCoy and captain Kieron Pollard had a wicket apiece to their name. Earlier, the hosts too had a disappointing start as they lost some early wickets but it was Lendl Simmons who tried to steady the ship for the side from one end. But the opener was eventually dismissed for 47 off 34 and Simmons departure saw a couple of quick wickets falling down again. West Indies were struggling at 101/6 when Pollard along with Fabian Allen took on the onus and hammered the South African bowlers all around the park. Pollard remained unbeaten at 25-ball 51 while Allen chipped in with 19* off 13 to take their team to 167/6 in 20 overs. For South Africa, it was George Linde and Shamsi who impressed with the ball. Both the bowlers picked up two wickets each for the side. South Africa captain Temba Bavuma expressed disappointment on giving away runs in the death overs. “I think looking at our bowling performances, we didn't hit the right straps. 60 odd runs in the last 4 put us on the back foot. Our spinners came to the fore and set it up for us. But at the death, we won't like to put up a display like this. Shamsi has been brilliant. George has been good,” he said after the match. West Indies captain Pollard who scored a vital fifty during the course hailed the bowlers. “In a game like this, you have to come out and win. Tried to give myself a chance and be there at the end. We speak about batting down till the end. The batters will continue rotating the strike. We were right into the game. We needed a few wickets in the PP. Chris picking up that wicket helped. Bravo and McCoy have been doing well for us. A total team effort. Dwayne has been phenomenal,” he said. The two sides will now lock horns in the fifth and deciding T20I on Saturday at the same venue.
WI vs SA | T20Is: Andre Russel fit to go after PSL injury, named in West Indies 13 man squad
West Indies announced a 13 man squad on June 25 for the five-match T20I series against South Africa starting June 26 in Grenada. Andre Russell, who suffered a concussion injury in the very first match that he played in the Abu Dhabi leg of the Pakistan Super League, has been named in the squad, indicating that he has fully recovered from that blow. "Andre Russell will add that 'X' factor to the team. He is an impact player with both bat and ball and lends greater depth in both departments," Roger Harper, the chief selector of West Indies said on the occasion of squad announcement. The squad is almost the same as the one that played against Sri Lanka in March this year. The four players in contention for two places in the XI could be Lendl Simmons and Andre Fletcher for the number three spot and Fidel Edwards and Obed McCoy for the extra feast bowler squad. “The aim is to build on the performance against Sri Lanka earlier this year, to build confidence while determining our best squad and team as we run into the ICC T20 World Cup,” Harper said. South Africa whitewashed West Indies 2-0 in the Test series. However, this format is different and favours the hosts. The first match of the series begins at National Cricket Stadium, St George's, Grenada on June 26 at 11: 30 pm IST. Squad: Kieron Pollard (c), Nicholas Pooran (vc), Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Fidel Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, Kevin Sinclair
Super 50 Cup 2021: Star-studded T&T too strong for Guyana on finals day
An all-round team performance from Trinidad and Tobago defeated Guyana in the finals of the domestic Super 50 Cup in West Indies. Chasing a mammoth target of 363 runs from 50 overs, Guyana were cut to size by Trinidad and Tobago pacers- Ravi Rampaul, Jayden Seales, and Aiden Phillip. Rampaul was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets from his 10 overs, while Seales and Phillip finished with three and two wickets respectively. Raymon Reifer was the lone shining prospect from Guyana and was dismissed just three shies of a much-deserving hundred, as others failed miserably with the bat. Batting first, Trinidad put up a valiant effort with the bat and posted a humongous 362 runs on the board. The Trinidad and Tobago had a superior batting line up on paper with the likes of Lendl Simmons, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Evin Lewis and Nicholas Pooran in the mix. Simmons was the hero with the bat as he brought up a daddy hundred on the big final day of the tournament and with the support from almost every other batsmen took the game away from Guyana even before they walked out to bat in the second innings.