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Chris Gayle lit up the Sawai Mansingh Stadium with a quite spectacular display of power-hitting as West Indies stormed into their second successive Champions Trophy final. Gayle’s run-a-ball unbeaten 133 - and his 154-run opening wicket stand with Shivnarine Chanderpaul - turned what was supposed to be a close game into an absolute no-contest, as West Indies chased down 259 with six wickets in hand and 36 balls to spare to earn the right to challenge Australia for the title on Sunday.

No-one would have thought the match would have been such one-way traffic after South Africa puffed their way to 258 for 8 on the back of a controlled innings of 77 from Herschelle Gibbs. With the ball not coming on to the bat in the afternoon, it was assumed that West Indies would have to battle hard to get to the target. It took just two balls to alter that assumption significantly.

Shaun Pollock, the epitome of accuracy, started with a wide, then was spanked down the ground off the next two deliveries - once off either foot - for fours. That set a trend which continued through the entire innings, as Gayle decided to make this match his own. Pollock’s gentle pace was just perfect, as Gayle creamed him down the ground and took a giant stride forward and deposited a huge six over long-on. Pollock’s five overs went for 34 - 24 off them courtesy Gayle from 18 balls - and Pollock wasn’t needed again.

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Also see Champions Trophy, 2006

JAIPUR, Nov 2: Even before the start of the Champions Trophy, Chris Gayle had made up his mind to occupy the crease and play his shots according to the merit of the ball. With two hundreds already in the tournament, he was confident and sure about about his role in the team as well.

So, when the big moment arrived in the second semi-final against South Africa at the Sawai Man Singh stadium on Thursday, Gayle yet again responded like a champion.

He marshaled his resources to perfection by cracking a match winning knock 133 as West Indies blew away South Africa by six wickets. Brian Lara and his men will now face Australia in the final at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on November 4.

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Match in Pics: Windies vs South Africa

Earlier, South Africa won the toss and elected to bat on a double-paced track. The decision was hardly justified by the top-order batsmen who looked tentative. Yet, South Africa managed to make 258 for the loss of eight wickets.

The second half was a complete Gayle show that enabled his team to finish the match with as many as six overs to spare. The Jamaican made his 15th ODI ton, his sixth on Indian soil and third in the championship.

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See also Champions Trophy, 2006

With the World Cup less than five months away, Barbados is gearing up to play host to plenty of cricket fans. The latest initiative is to have 14 cruise ships docked at its port, of which six will serve as permanent floating hotels to make up for the lack of conventional hotel rooms.

The Jamaica Gleaner quoted Noel Lynch, the country’s tourism minister, as saying that these ships will accommodate around 12,000 fans and help handle the huge influx of fans expected during the tournament. “We are expecting about 20,000 fans for the finals,” Lynch said. “Of that number, our ports will accommodate some 12,000 and the land-based entities the other 8,000 people.”

Lynch also confirmed that much of the extra accommodation had already been sold out. “The Indians, particularly, have eaten up all of the rooms.”

The World Cup has also meant an opportunity for the West Indies to showcase itself as a tourist destination with sound infrastructure, and Lynch indicated that plenty of work was in progress in Barbados to ensure that the country would be in top shape when the tournament starts. “When cricket fans arrive in Barbados, they will see a new-looking Kensington Oval, and major infrastructure work showcasing Barbados as a seriously developing nation on the cusp of being developed.”

© Cricinfo

Also see World Cup, 2007.

Clarke and Gayle exchanged words several times

West Indies star Chris Gayle has been fined after a series of verbal clashes with Australia batsman Michael Clarke during Wednesday’s win by the Windies.

Gayle was found guilty of failing to “conduct play within the spirit of the game” by match referee Mike Procter after a hearing in Mumbai.

Clarke was found not guilty of the same charge in a separate hearing.

“There is a line between what is acceptable and what is not and Chris crossed it,” said Procter.

Off-spinner Gayle became visibly annoyed after a prolonged exchange with Clarke, whose 47 was not enough to prevent a 10-run defeat for Australia.

“What started off as banter between the two players got out of hand and Chris Gayle went over the top in his reactions,” Procter added.

“We do not want robots on the field and we want to ensure players play with enthusiasm and passion.”

See also Champions Trophy, 2006.

After a series of insipid matches, the Champions Trophy has well and truly come to life, as Pakistan’s stunning victory on Tuesday was followed by an inspired performance by West Indies, who pulled the rug from under the Australians’ feet, sending them spiralling to a ten-run defeat in a pulsating contest. On a Brabourne Stadium pitch that lasted the course much better than its predecessors, West Indies rode on fine performances from Runako Morton (90 not out) and Brian Lara (71) to post 234 for 6, and then restricted Australia to 224 for 9 despite a magnificent and measured 92 from Adam Gilchrist, with Jerome Taylor providing the icing on the cake by becoming the first West Indian to take a hat-trick in ODIs.

From the start, the West Indians showed an intensity that indicated just how keen they were to erase the bad memories of their humiliation against Sri Lanka. Morton and Lara set it up in the afternoon with crucial knocks, while the entire team displayed a desperation that has rarely been in West Indian cricket of late. Chris Gayle, usually one of the most laidback cricketers, epitomised that aggression, going at Michael Clarke with a fierce verbal blast even when West Indies seemed out of the contest. They never let up in the field, and when the 101-run partnership between Gilchrist and Clarke finally ended, the West Indians closed in on their victims like champions.

Australia will feel they should have sealed this one, but the rot started when Gilchrist was involved in a mix-up after a superbly constructed 92. At that stage Australia needed 53 in 50 balls, and with Clarke going strong, they were still favourites. Bravo then chipped in, delivering his famous slower ball to perfection and forcing a return catch out of Clarke (206 for 6). The target was now 29 in 23 balls, but a certain Michael Hussey was still around. That’s when Taylor decided to stamp his authority on the contest. Coming back for a spell in the 48th over, he bowled it fast and straight: Hussey, already frustrated by his inability to get the spinners away, swatted at one and lost his stumps. Next ball, Brett Lee was trapped plumb in front by a fast indipper to end the over. Bravo bowled the 49th, before Taylor returned for the last over and shattered Brad Hogg’s leg stump as he shaped to play to leg. The hat-trick had been sealed, and so had - effectively - the match.

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‘The pitch is going to play a part and we are looking to get the better part of it - Lara

Brian Lara has lifted his game ever so many times when up against the best in the world. He was hoping his team would do just that as they take on Australia at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. Speaking at a pre-match media briefing he said, “We have beaten the opposition [Australia] in the last month and that’s a positive. We are going to ensure that the guys know that and the biggest positive is the fact that the pitch is going to play a part and we are looking to get the better part of it.”

Lara did not place too much stress on the pitch, which has come in for plenty of criticism in the wake of the South Africa-New Zealand match. “Firstly you have to play on whatever pitch you’re given. There’s nothing you can do about it,” he said. “What’s confusing is the fact that New Zealand batted first and didn’t put up a total on the board and South Africa batted second and did not do well.”

At the same time, Lara stressed on the importance of playing smart cricket. “It’s important for the team batting first to put up a good total. It’s up to the people at CCI (Brabourne Stadium) to try and get things improved and the final is here as well. So we hope the pitches will improve,” he said. “It’s not the sort of pitch where you can think of 275 or 300 being on the cards. We will be looking to score as much as possible, analyse the situation as early as possible.”

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The ICC came up with a ridiculous explanation in defence of the petulant behaviour of Brian Lara during the first cricket Test against India when he snatched the ball from Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf and waggled his finger at him.

“Lara showed a little frustration but it was borne out of circumstances,” ICC’s General Manager-Cricket Dave Richardson said.

“Lara is a renowned player, a famed cricketer. He got frustrated (after) the umpire forced the players to make a decision. He did get a little frustrated, snatching the ball from the umpire, but he certainly did not show dissent,” he said.

Richardson also sought to justify the fine imposed on Virender Sehwag for prematurely celebrating a dismissal.

“The Sehwag incident was unfortunate. ICC wants to cut down on excessive appealing. We want to prevent players, tell them not to put too much pressure on umpires. In Sehwag’s incident, it was a case of not appealing. He slipped up (on that account).”

On the controversial Dhoni dismissal, he said he had never come across such an incident — be it in his playing days or as an administrator.

“It (the incident) was quite unique. No decision was made. The TV umpire said he could not make a decision, the on field umpires said we can’t make a decision either. Lara tried to facilitate an agreement (which) was not the right way.”

See also India vs West Indies, 2006.

Star Indian stroke-maker Virender Sehwag has hit a swashbuckling 180 to help his side to 4-361 at stumps on day one of the second Test against the West Indies at St Lucia.

The opener let loose with the willow early in the day and finished the morning session one run shy of his century.

Had he made three figures, Sehwag would have become the first Indian and only the fifth-ever player in cricket’s distinguished history, to hit a century on the opening morning of a Test.

Batting alongside opener Wasim Jaffer, the pair put on 159 runs before Jaffer fell on 43 after edging a loose delivery to first slip.

VVS Laxman (0) then suffered a similar fate to Jaffer when he was dismissed shortly after following an edge through to the wicket-keeper.

However, Sehwag steadied the ship with skipper Rahul Dravid before the centurion was caught and bowled by Pedro Collins with the score on 300.

The West Indies then found themselves celebrating a double breakthrough soon after when Yuvraj Singh was bowled by Collins for two, the recalled paceman nabbing all four wickets on the opening day.

But Dravid and Mohammad Kaif ensured there were no more setbacks for the tourists, with the pair compiling a solid stand of 55 by the time stumps arrived.

Kaif finished the day unbeaten on 18 while skipper Dravid, delighted with proceedings after winning the toss and choosing to bat, needs just five more runs to collect his 23rd Test hundred.

India 1st innings
Jaffer c Bravo b Collins 43
Sehwag c & b Collins 180
Laxman c Ramdin b Collins 0
Dravid not out 95
Yuvraj Singh b Collins 2
Kaif not out 18
Extras (4b,7lb,w3,9nb) 23
Total (4 wickets) 361
FoW: 1-159, 2-161, 3-300, 4-306

Bowling
Collins 20-4-75-4
Taylor 17-2-56-0
Bravo 10-0-66-0
Collymore 14-1-57-0
Bradshaw 14-4-45-0
Sarwan 10-0-51-0

See also India vs West Indies, 2006.

India’s Test campaign in the Caribbean got off to an unconvincing start with the visitors making 235 for the loss of nine wickets at stumps on day one of the first test against West Indies at Antigua on Friday.

In fact, it was some fine rearguard action from Anil Kumble and S Sreesanth that saw the visitors cross the 200-run mark.

Sreesanth remained unbeaten on 24 while Munaf Patel was yet to open his account at the close of the day’s play.

The match saw a typical batting collapse with the batsmen failing against the moving delivery yet again after India won the toss and elected to bat.

Early blow

India’s hopes of getting off to a good start received an early blow when Jaffer edged a Fidel Edwards delivery to keeper Denesh Ramdin. It was only the third over of the match and India were 10 for one.

Jaffer played nine balls and made just one run.

Sehwag and Laxman then steadied the ship with a 41-run partnership before the Nawab of Najafgarh edged a Corey Collymore delivery to Brian Lara at second slip.

Sehwag made 36 off just 37 balls with the help of seven boundaries. The scoring rate became slow after his departure. (more…)

It might not turn out to be the greatest cricket series of all time, but India’s tussle with the West Indies holds the promise of a fascinating duel between two of the modern game’s batting greats.

Rahul Sharad Dravid and Brian Charles Lara have the ability to repeatedly inspire their teams from a state of hopelessness to a position of strength, putting up their hands when the occasion demands.

Going by personal form, both seem to be eternally in their prime. And, over the next couple of months, they will need to produce some of their vintage best. Dravid, to ensure his team takes their one-day form forward to the Caribbeans.

Lara, to pull together the faltering force that is his team, as well as rectify his own record against India. In 13 Tests, he has managed to put together 791 runs at just 37.67 — his lowest average against all international opposition. Just one out of his 31 Test hundreds have come against India.

That ton, 103, came on a bowler’s graveyard at St Johns almost 10 years ago even as the match petered out to a draw.

In 31 ODIs against India, he has failed to get a hundred. This will probably be the left-hander’s last chance to set the record straight.

Dravid, however, has had no problem finding his best against a team whose bowling attack has looked less penetrative with every new series.

The right-hander relishes getting runs off quick bowling and that, in part, explains his terrific Test average (60.80) against the Windies. Dravid doesn’t need much motivation to excel, especially while batting away from India but this time, he would be doubly keen to perform better. He is the skipper, after all. (more…)

The Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) has named a strong 15-man squad, including eight Test players, for next Tuesday’s match between the touring Indian team and Jamaica at Jarrett Park. Wavell Hinds, the West Indian batsman, has been named as captain for the one-day match.

Brian Breese, the JCA’s cricket operations manager, said that there was a possibility that all eight Test players may not take part, however. “The West Indies team will be playing the Indians two days after the Montego Bay game so the West Indies Cricket Board could well ask one or two of the players named to sit out the game,” he has been quoted as saying by the Jamaica Observer. “Nonetheless, it should be a very strong Jamaican team going up against the Indians.”

Breese added that Xavier Marshall, the Jamaican opener, was not included owing to a suspension from his parish team while Dwight Washington, the fast bowler, was away in the United States. “Young Washington would most certainly be under consideration for this game but he is away in the United States at this time,” said Breese. “We are in touch with him and he is still very much a part of the national programme.”

Jamaica Cricket Association squad : Wavell Hinds (capt), Chris Gayle, Donovan Pagon, Marlon Samuels, Daren Powell, Jerome Taylor, Nikita Miller, Carlton Baugh (wk), Jermaine Lawson, Tamar Lambert, Bevon Brown, Danza Hyatt, Andrew Richardson, Damion Ebanks and Donovan Sinclair.

See also India vs West Indies, 2006.

Dwayne Bravo, the West Indies allrounder, has replaced Tino Best for the fifth one-day international against Zimbabwe at St Lucia today. Bravo, who played in the first two matches in Antigua, returns after a brief rest at the expense of the inconsistent Best.

Best was taken for 70 runs and managed just one wicket in his ten overs in West Indies’ 82-run win in Guyana on Sunday. That uninspiring performance, in which he was very erratic with his line, has cost him his place.

The West Indies lead the seven-match series 3-0 ahead of a historic match at the Beausejour Stadium, which will host the first day-night match in the Caribbean.

Brian Lara, the West Indies captain, embraced the historic status of the game and said all the players were aware of its significance. “It would be good to see how many [other] grounds in the region will have these facilities, because day/night cricket is a big attraction all over the world. I hope it takes off in the region,” he told reporters. “We know there are areas in our game that we have to improve upon, but we are working on that… As for the lights, we have tropical weather here in the Caribbean. We will just have to see how it starts and take it from there.”

Lara added that West Indies would continue to experiment against a weak Zimbabwe ahead of the tougher series against India later this month. “I think it is a situation of everybody getting a game…we still want to make sure we have the right players and we have everybody peaking at the right time,” he said. “We have to take into consideration that Zimbabwe, because of their situation, is not at full strength, and in a matter of a few days we’ll be playing one of the top teams in the world. We do have that in the back of our minds and we do know that we have to improve to actually do very well against India.” (more…)

This weekend’s back-to-back one-day internationals in Guyana are already in doubt after heavy rain left the Bourda soaked.

Chetram Singh, president of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), told The Nation that groundstaff were working overtime to get the venue fit and ready. “It’s been raining really heavily and you know how Bourda is when the rain falls,” he explained. “If the rain stops now we have a chance of play over the two days. If it continues, we’re in very big trouble. It looks very bad and we are doing all we can do to ensure there is play.”

Although it was dry yesterday, the forecast was for scattered thunderstorms and heavy showers over the next three days.

The West Indies team arrived in Guyana late Wednesday and were scheduled to train at the Everest Cricket Ground in Georgetown yesterday, but had to cancel that outing because of a wet outfield, and were forced to go indoors.

The Zimbabweans arrived from Antigua on Thursday night and had a training session scheduled for this morning.

National selector Ranjib Biswal was on Sunday appointed manager of the Indian squad for the five-match one-day International series in the West Indies next month.

D. Dongaonkar, secretary of the Association of Indian Universities, will take over from Biswal for the four-Test series, said a release from BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah.

Mumbai Cricket Association vice-president Ravi Sawant will be the assistant manager for the Test series.

The tour begins with a one-day practice game in Jamaica on May 16. The tour will end in Jamaica as well, with the fourth Test scheduled there from June 30 to July 4.

With Biswal being appointed manager for the first leg of the tour, selectors won’t be taking turns to be present during India’s matches in the Caribbean. During the tour of Pakistan, all the selectors took turns to watch the Tests and ODIs.

Meanwhile, Arindam Ganguly will be manager of the India A squad to Australia from June 28 to July 25.

See also India vs West Indies, 2006.

When India take on the West Indies in the Caribbean next month, a side battle would as well be on between the coaches — Greg Chappell and Bennett King. Both are from Australia but while Chappell is one of the legends, belonging to one of game’s first family of cricketers, King has earned his spurs as a modern-day coach with little time for golden oldies.

Dr. Rudi Webster, renowned sports psychologist who has served West Indian cricket as director of the Shell Cricket Academy (SCA), recently lambasted King for his alleged comments in which he described the players of the 1970s as ‘dinosaurs.’

King since then has denied he ever made this remark claiming it was “completely and totally inaccurate, an outright lie.” It has now surfaced that it was Chappell who attributed the ‘dinosaur’ remark to King during a brief visit to the SCA in Grenada in 2004.

Chappell had then expressed his anger on King, stating that those with little playing background were calling the “players of the 70s as old hat, that we’re dinosaurs, that we’ve got to move on.”

Chappell’s comments were then widely reported in the Caribbean media, as well as in international press. He said: “There’s a mafia that’s grown up in cricket that’s promoting a new way and we need some strong people, with intimate knowledge of where the game has come from, to counter them.” (more…)