The Willow in the WIndies – innings no. 29

1st May 2016

The Caribbean cricket podcast

Episode 29 – The ICC Reprimands the West Indies players

Welcome to edition no. 29 of The Willow in the WIndies.

Reds are I kicked off by discussing the ICC’s press release which condemned the West Indies players for their behaviour after the T20 World Cup final. Sir Viv Richards accused the ICC of double standards; while Philo Wallace on the Line & Length show endorsed the reprimand.

Presumably, Marlon Samuels was one of those the ICC had in mind in its comments; and this week Ben Stokes suggested Samuels should have been more magnanimous in victory. Meanwhile, Andre Russell said that Samuels was ‘a little different’ from his team-mates.

Much of the West Indies players’ disquiet arises from their stand-off with the WICB, in which they have appeared to have been supported by the Prime Ministers of Caricom. However, Barbados PM, Freundel Stuart seemed to distance himself from his fellow outspoken PMs who have called for the Board’s immediate dissolution. Clearly, the Caricom leaders are not unanimous in their opinions where the WICB is concerned.

Seemingly similar was Sir Andy Roberts (who was among the group of Legends supporting that call in Grenada recently), who seemed to backtrack in an interview with the Mason & Guests show. He said their call is for restructure, not dissolution. 

The Willow in the WIndies – innings no. 27 (i)

16th April 2016

The Caribbean cricket podcast

Episode 27 (i) – A Look Back at WIndies Double T20 Triumph

Welcome to part one of edition no. 27 of The Willow in the WIndies.

After a two-week gap, due in the main to the sudden, untimely death of my computer, Reds and I reunite to record a pair of programmes to bring us back up to date.

In Part One we focus upon West Indies’ wonderful victories in the ICC World T20 competitons, for both the men and the women.

We began with the ladies, and reviewed their progress through the tournament – and looked at how they’ve potentially done a great deal to spread interest in the women’s game throughout the Caribbean.

The men’s triumph was sealed by Carlos Brathwaite, but the Man of the Match in the final was Marlon Samuels – who Reds would not have included in the WIndies’ squad! They lost to Afghanistan (which I had predicted before the competition) – but won every other game. 

‘Darren Sammy’s views on the WICB aren’t shared by all in the Caribbean’ – my opinion piece for First Post

5th April 2016

Patrolling the Boundary  – a view from the outfield

The 2016 ICC World T20 tournament

For First Post during the T20 World Cup I covered and reported on the West Indies.

In his post match interview, West Indies captain Darren Sammy had strong words to say about the West Indies Cricket Board.

But his, and his fellow team-mates, dissatisfaction with the Board is not necessarily shared by all observers of Caribbean cricket.

Here is my view for First Post.

David Oram

‘1979 & 2004: Former World-title battles of England v West Indies – WIndies in search of a hat-trick of triumphs; England hoping for third-time lucky’ – my match preview for First Post

3rd April 2016

Prospects of Play – match previews

The 2016 ICC World T20 tournament

For First Post during the T20 World Cup I am covering and reporting on the West Indies.

On the eve of the World T20 final, I look back at the two previous meetings of the sides in the finals of ICC events: the 1979 Prudential World Cup Final; and the 2004 Champions Trophy – both won by the West Indies.

You can read my match preview piece here.

And there are several more articles regarding the tournament, and features on many of the other sides here.

David Oram

‘Slick “Sunday Best” Afghanistan Outsmart Slack “Dress Down Sunday” West Indies’ – my match review of WI v Afghan for First Post

28th March 2016

When the Sawdust Settles – match reviews

The 2016 ICC World T20 tournament

For First Post during the T20 World Cup I am covering and reporting on the West Indies.

West Indies shockingly lost their last group match in the T20 World Cup – going down dramatically to Afghanistan.

Despite the result having no material effect upon the group placings – West Indies still finish at the head of Group 1 – the outcome was a thrilling upset; and one which many will hope helps towards Afghanistan playing more cricket at the full international level.

You can read my match review piece here.

And there are several more articles regarding the tournament, and features on many of the other sides here.

David Oram