“On the attack – England’s Ben Stokes hits out during his century in the second Test at Old Trafford on Friday as West Indies wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich looks on . ©AFP” /> Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Ben Stokes piled on the agony for the West Indies with a century in the second Test at Old Trafford on Friday after Dom Sibley’s painstaking hundred finally came to an end. England were 378-5 at tea on the second day, with Stokes 172 not out in a match the hosts need to…
“West Indies captain Jason Holder (R) celebrates with John Campbell (L) after a four-wicket win over England in the first Test at Southampton. ©AFP” outhampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – International cricket returned from lockdown in style as the West Indies beat England by four wickets in the first Test at Southampton. AFP Sport looks at five key points from a match that took place against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic. Holder heroics West Indies captain Jason Holder led from the front by taking a Test-best 6-42 in England’s lowly…
“West Indies players take a knee at the Ageas Bowl. ©AFP” /> Southampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – International cricket resumed after a four-month coronavirus shutdown on Wednesday as England and West Indies players took a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement under grey skies in Southampton. England stand-in captain Ben Stokes won the toss following a rain delay and opted to bat but just three overs were possible before the weather intervened again. The players gathered in a semi-circle on the pitch before play started to observe…
“Former West Indies captain Brian Lara. ©AFP” /> London (AFP) – West Indies great Brian Lara says the Caribbean side must try and beat “overwhelming favourites” England in four days because their batting is not strong enough to last five days. The three-Test series, which marks the return of international cricket after the coronavirus shutdown, starts on Wednesday in Southampton behind closed doors. Jason Holder’s tourists boast a powerful pace attack but their batsmen have struggled to post challenging totals in recent years. “They have to be able to pounce…
“Past and present – Former West Indies fast bowler Joel Garner in conversation with current captain Jason Holder. ©AFP” /> London (AFP) – West Indies are set to field their latest fast-bowling quartet during this week’s first Test against England in Southampton, with the likes of Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach, captain Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph all vying to make an impact. The Caribbean has a long and proud history of producing top-class fast bowlers. AFP Sport looks back at some previous West Indies pace attacks in England: 1980: Andy…
Black Lives Matter” logos are being worn by Premier League players. ©AFP” /> London (AFP) – The West Indies cricket team will wear “Black Lives Matter” logos on their shirts during next month’s Test series against England in a show of solidarity with the global movement. The tourists will follow the lead of English Premier League footballers during the three-Test series, which starts at the Ageas Bowl on July 8. The move comes after the death of African-American George Floyd in US police custody last month. The logo, which has…
“Not a ‘weaker link’ – West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph. ©AFP” /> London (AFP) – Alzarri Joseph hopes it will work to his advantage if England treat him as the “weaker link” of the West Indies’ pace attack during next month’s Test series. The 23-year-old is the junior member of a fast bowling line-up that also includes captain Jason Holder, Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel. “Well obviously those three guys have a lot more experience than I do,” Joseph, who has played just nine Tests, told a conference call…
“No easing up – West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel . ©AFP” /> London (AFP) – West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel has no plans to alter his on-field approach against England, saying a previous flare-up with Joe Root was “blown way out of proportion”. Gabriel received a four-match ban after asking England captain Root “do you like boys?” during the third Test in St Lucia last year, with Root replying: “There’s nothing wrong with being gay.” Homosexual activity remains illegal in Gabriel’s native Trinidad. Only Root’s rebuke was picked…
“West Indies batsman Shai Hope. ©AFP” /> London (AFP) – West Indies batsman Shai Hope is aiming to achieve a “turnaround” in his Test career now he is back in England, the scene of his greatest triumph in the five-day format. Three years ago Hope became the first batsman to score two hundreds in a first-class match at Headingley as his side recorded a stunning five-wicket win over the hosts in the second Test. Yet those remain his only two centuries in 31 Tests, with Hope averaging a modest 27.23.…
“West Indies assistant coach Roddy Estwick. ©AFP” /> London (AFP) – The West Indies are showing signs that they are developing a pace attack that could stand comparison with the great Caribbean sides of the past, assistant coach Roddy Estwick said on Monday. The West Indies were world cricket’s dominant team from the mid-1970s to the 1990s when they could call on a succession of superb fast bowlers including Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall, Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh. Their quicks also played a key role when the West Indies beat…