The Googly

West Indies rediscovering the "blackwash"?

Okay so it's only an ODI series, but it has been a very long time since West Indies were on the brink of a blackwash of any kind.  After watching their games until very recently I had nothing but a hollow sense of regret and sadness for the Brazil of cricket - the team that is supposed to not only win, but win in a style that makes us gasp, makes us wish we were born in Antigua so we could be part of it, make us wince at the aplomb with which they dispatched their craft and their opposition.

I've not seen Clive Lloyd in the last few years, but I imagine he spent most of it struggling to see through the teary fog clouding the lenses of his legendary specs; for indeed there were performances to weep over - England in 2007 being a case in point.  It is probably largely pointless, and equally unfair, to judge this Windies team against the standards of yesteryear, but the trouble is it is also inevitable.   To draw a modern comparison, imagine an Australian team 20 years from now having their arses handed to them in such a manner.  It is hard to envision; it would be even harder to stomach.

But, under Crystal Gayle's quietly assured (who'd've thought?) leadership, this team has chipped through the bedrock of depression to the chink of bright future at the other side.

Video: Chanderpaul's amazing finish to beat Sri Lanka

After the Windies innings had crumbled yesterday, they needed 10 from the last two balls.  Step forward Shiv Chanderpaul - the rescue specialist.  Innings round up here.

On the rare occasions he wasn't moaning, Andy Caddick could be a pretty good bowler

As can be seen here: taking four in an over as the Windies crumpled to 54 all out in 2000.

Why I don't like... Two Test Series

There's little that can gladden the hearts of followers of the greatest game than to read of a renaissance in West Indian Test cricket. Alas the Queen's Park Oval appeared to be populated with more dancing girls than cricket fans, but that did not stop Ramneresh Sarwan, supported by Shiv Chanderpaul and others reaching their target of 254 to level the Sri Lankan series 1-1. I looked forward avidly to the showdown next week where the spoils would be decided and (possibly) a new dawn at last hailed.

But no. In their infinite wisdom, the ICC's Future Tours programme saw fit to truncate this "series" to two Tests, and so deny us (and the Windies' worldwide followers) the chance to see a positive result. Shame on them.

And in case you think this is a one-off and see the malign hand of the IPL in play, here are some upcoming two / four Test series: Australia in West Indies (four Tests, April 2008); South Africa in England (four Tests, July 2008); Australia in India (four Tests, October 2008); New Zealand in Australia (two Tests, November 2008). I'm afraid there's plenty more such coitus interuptus to come.

[The Tooting Trumpet]   

Thunder Downunder: West Indies tour squad announced

In their infinite collective wisdom the Australian selection committee recently announced the touring squad to tour the West Indies beginning in May.

There were few surprises in the squad with Simon Katich and Stuart MacGill returning to the Test squad and David Hussey and Shaun Marsh earning their first tour with the ODI squad.

Most interest has centred on 25 year old left-arm wrist spinner Beau Casson. Like MacGill, Casson left his home state of Western Australia to try his luck on the big turning Sydney pitch and after only one complete season it has paid a handsome dividend.

Capable of prodigious turn and with a well disguised wrong'un Casson is also a more than handy bat as his 88 in the Pura Cup final showed.

It is a grand chance for the young man to race ahead of young spinning rivals Dan Cullen and Cullen Bailey and if MacGill, only two matches back from surgery, aggravates his tender wrist then Beau Casson may get a red carpet ride into the Baggygreen brigade.  Full squads over the jump...

TEST SQUAD
Ricky Ponting (c) TAS 33yrs
Michael Clarke (vc) NSW 26yrs
Beau Casson NSW 25 yrs
Stuart Clark NSW 32 yrs
Brad Haddin (wk) NSW 30yrs
Matthew Hayden QLD 36yrs
Ben Hilfenhaus TAS 25yrs
Michael Hussey WA 32yrs
Phil Jaques NSW 28yrs
Michell Johnson QLD 26yrs
Simon Katich NSW 32yrs
Brett Lee NSW 31yrs
Stuart MacGill NSW 37yrs
Ashley Noffke QLD 30yrs
Andrew Symonds QLD 32yrs

LIMITED OVERS SQUAD
Ricky Ponting (c) TAS 33yrs
Michael Clarke (vc) NSW 26yrs
Nathan Bracken NSW 30yrs
Stuart Clark NSW 32 yrs
Brad Haddin (wk) NSW 30yrs
Matthew Hayden QLD 36yrs
James Hopes QLD 29yrs
David Hussey VIC 30yrs
Michael Hussey WA 32yrs
Michell Johnson QLD 26yrs
Brett Lee NSW 31yrs
Shaun Marsh WA 24yrs
Andrew Symonds QLD 32yrs
Cameron White VIC 24yrs

[Nesta Quin] [Image:Getty]

Titanic Triples: Brian Lara's 375 vs England

Brian Lara breaks the world record (the first time) against a humbled England.  Part 1 here, part 2 after the jump.

Remember when Steve Harmison could do this?

Looks like it's turning into Harmison day around here.  Here he is taking 7-12 in the spiritual home of fast bowling, Sabina Park in the West Indies.  If only he could have captured whatever he had that winter in a bottle to sup from for the rest of his career, we would not all be so disappointed.

Why can't Marlon Samuels stick to any rules?

Marlon "Nice Boy" Samuels is obviously an extremely dedicated and diligent cricketer with a steely determination to achieve something that no other cricketer has managed.   Namely breaking every single rule in the entire game.

So far Marlon has broken curfews, been done for tipping bookies, and also ran out living legend Lara in his last ever international.  Continuing his sterling rule-busting form this week, the middle-order terror has been banned from bowling for chucking.

If he breaks one more rule he gets a free set of crystal glasses.

Viv Richards, domestic masterblasting

IVA Richards taking Surrey apart on his way to 132* in the 1981 B&H Cup. 

Classic Hat-tricks, No 1: Dominic Cork

In our latest feature, we are going to spend some time considering some top hat-tricks.  First up is the ever quiet and likeable Dominic Cork against the Windies at Old Trafford in 1995, taking his three in only his third Test.  Come back for more hat-tricks throughout the week.

On the rare occasions he wasn't moaning, Andy Caddick could be a pretty good bowler

As can be seen here: taking four in an over as the Windies crumpled to 54 all out in 2000.

Why I don't like... Two Test Series

There's little that can gladden the hearts of followers of the greatest game than to read of a renaissance in West Indian Test cricket. Alas the Queen's Park Oval appeared to be populated with more dancing girls than cricket fans, but that did not stop Ramneresh Sarwan, supported by Shiv Chanderpaul and others reaching their target of 254 to level the Sri Lankan series 1-1. I looked forward avidly to the showdown next week where the spoils would be decided and (possibly) a new dawn at last hailed.

But no. In their infinite wisdom, the ICC's Future Tours programme saw fit to truncate this "series" to two Tests, and so deny us (and the Windies' worldwide followers) the chance to see a positive result. Shame on them.

And in case you think this is a one-off and see the malign hand of the IPL in play, here are some upcoming two / four Test series: Australia in West Indies (four Tests, April 2008); South Africa in England (four Tests, July 2008); Australia in India (four Tests, October 2008); New Zealand in Australia (two Tests, November 2008). I'm afraid there's plenty more such coitus interuptus to come.

[The Tooting Trumpet]   

Thunder Downunder: West Indies tour squad announced

In their infinite collective wisdom the Australian selection committee recently announced the touring squad to tour the West Indies beginning in May.

There were few surprises in the squad with Simon Katich and Stuart MacGill returning to the Test squad and David Hussey and Shaun Marsh earning their first tour with the ODI squad.

Most interest has centred on 25 year old left-arm wrist spinner Beau Casson. Like MacGill, Casson left his home state of Western Australia to try his luck on the big turning Sydney pitch and after only one complete season it has paid a handsome dividend.

Capable of prodigious turn and with a well disguised wrong'un Casson is also a more than handy bat as his 88 in the Pura Cup final showed.

It is a grand chance for the young man to race ahead of young spinning rivals Dan Cullen and Cullen Bailey and if MacGill, only two matches back from surgery, aggravates his tender wrist then Beau Casson may get a red carpet ride into the Baggygreen brigade.  Full squads over the jump...

TEST SQUAD
Ricky Ponting (c) TAS 33yrs
Michael Clarke (vc) NSW 26yrs
Beau Casson NSW 25 yrs
Stuart Clark NSW 32 yrs
Brad Haddin (wk) NSW 30yrs
Matthew Hayden QLD 36yrs
Ben Hilfenhaus TAS 25yrs
Michael Hussey WA 32yrs
Phil Jaques NSW 28yrs
Michell Johnson QLD 26yrs
Simon Katich NSW 32yrs
Brett Lee NSW 31yrs
Stuart MacGill NSW 37yrs
Ashley Noffke QLD 30yrs
Andrew Symonds QLD 32yrs

LIMITED OVERS SQUAD
Ricky Ponting (c) TAS 33yrs
Michael Clarke (vc) NSW 26yrs
Nathan Bracken NSW 30yrs
Stuart Clark NSW 32 yrs
Brad Haddin (wk) NSW 30yrs
Matthew Hayden QLD 36yrs
James Hopes QLD 29yrs
David Hussey VIC 30yrs
Michael Hussey WA 32yrs
Michell Johnson QLD 26yrs
Brett Lee NSW 31yrs
Shaun Marsh WA 24yrs
Andrew Symonds QLD 32yrs
Cameron White VIC 24yrs

[Nesta Quin] [Image:Getty]

Titanic Triples: Brian Lara's 375 vs England

Brian Lara breaks the world record (the first time) against a humbled England.  Part 1 here, part 2 after the jump.

Remember when Steve Harmison could do this?

Looks like it's turning into Harmison day around here.  Here he is taking 7-12 in the spiritual home of fast bowling, Sabina Park in the West Indies.  If only he could have captured whatever he had that winter in a bottle to sup from for the rest of his career, we would not all be so disappointed.

Why can't Marlon Samuels stick to any rules?

Marlon "Nice Boy" Samuels is obviously an extremely dedicated and diligent cricketer with a steely determination to achieve something that no other cricketer has managed.   Namely breaking every single rule in the entire game.

So far Marlon has broken curfews, been done for tipping bookies, and also ran out living legend Lara in his last ever international.  Continuing his sterling rule-busting form this week, the middle-order terror has been banned from bowling for chucking.

If he breaks one more rule he gets a free set of crystal glasses.

Viv Richards, domestic masterblasting

IVA Richards taking Surrey apart on his way to 132* in the 1981 B&H Cup. 

Classic Hat-tricks, No 1: Dominic Cork

In our latest feature, we are going to spend some time considering some top hat-tricks.  First up is the ever quiet and likeable Dominic Cork against the Windies at Old Trafford in 1995, taking his three in only his third Test.  Come back for more hat-tricks throughout the week.

West Indies return to business as usual

There are certain things in this world that you rely on to remain mentally comfortable that everything is  a-ok: Newcastle United a shambles? Check.   US election system impenetrable and irrelevent, yet all over the UK news?  Check!   

But recently, there have been incidents that have led me to believe all is not well; one involving a dog and a speedboat that I won't go into, and West Indies winning a Test match.  Thankfully things have returned to normal today with the Windies being skittled for 139 and South Africa finishing the day on 213-1.  The ever-likeable Graeme Smith tonked 122* off 133 balls in a display that not only kept the scorer busy but splintered the heart of every West Indies player into a thousand pieces.
[Image: Getty]

Performance of the Day - Ashwell Prince

Our photograph shows South Africa's Ashwell Prince run out for 98 in the Second Test vs West Indies. He was attempting to get back on strike to protect Dale Steyn, thereby maximising his team's lead - a selfless dismissal in a team often accused of individual selfishness.

Ashwell Prince is an old-fashioned cricketer who, like Shiv Chanderpaul, relishes the fight and, like Chanderpaul, plays his best knocks when most needed. Today, he rebuilt his team's innings in a sixth wicket stand of 129 with Mark Boucher, which dragged his team back into a series they were losing.

The fifth wicket had added just 8, but that was because AB de Villiers was dismissed for 2. With but one Test difference in their careers (34 AB, 35 Ashwell), de Villiers averages 36, Prince 42. Nobody would argue that de Villiers isn't more talented with the bat, but there's more to cricket than talent, as the admirable, and PotD winning, Prince shows.

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]    

Performance of the Day - Dwayne Bravo

There is little would cheer the Trumpet more this side of 2009 than to see a revival in the fortunes of West Indies cricket. There are many reasons, romantic, financial, social, historical, why West Indies cricket matters to a 44 year-old Englishman, so it was with real despair that the Trumpet has witnessed their decline fearing for the post-Chanderpaul batting era the way I feared, correctly, for the post-Curtley and Courtney bowling era.

But, to my surprise and relief, Chrystal Gayle is getting some excellent displays out of his team. Today, the mercurial Dwayne Bravo stepped up to blow away the Saffers' middle order, snaring Kallis, Amla and de Villiers in a five over spell, thus securing a PotD. He has some work to do on both disciplines, but if his batting develops as it should, and he can retain his knack of wicket-taking to go with a new found parsimony with the ball, he'll soon turn his averages around (currently he bats 32 and bowls 39). That will put him in exalted company and the Windies back, if not at the top, then at least competing with all nations except the Aussie juggernaut.

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]

Fidexpress takes us back in time

Fidel Edwards produces an absolute beauty to get shot of the ever-unpopular Graeme Smith as the Windies win their first Test match after 31 months of trying.  South Africa are almost as reliable as the Aussies at home, so in this context it really is a great win for the Islanders.

Video: SA vs Windies, First Test, day 2 highlights

West Indies hammer home their advantage in the so far surprising First Test in Georgetown.

Cricket Snapshot: I think we could be in trouble here

Snap of the scoreboard illustrating just how deep in trouble South Africa were on the way to a comprehensive defeat to the Windies in today's Twenty20 International.  [Image: Getty]

Video: Malcolm Marshall

Maco is his pomp.  Has there ever been a better fast bowler? 

Battle of the six sixers!

It's some feat hitting the maximum in an over.  Here are three of the best, which one is your favourite?

1.  Sir Garfield Sobers vs Glamorgan,

More after the jump.

2.  Herchelle Gibbs vs Netherlands, 2007

3.  Yuvraj Singh vs England, 2007

Video: West Indies vs Bangladesh highlights

ICC World Twenty20 - Villain of the day: West Indies Cricket Administration

After a dismal home World Cup, so long in coming, so long in duration, so short in the memory, the West Indies reached what every cricket fan must hope is the nadir of their fortunes with elimination from the World Twenty20 at the earliest opportunity. With the team struggling to put together winning sessions of Test Cricket, the crash-bang of Twenty20 seemed made for the likes of Dwayne Smith and Marlon Samuels, but it wasn't to be.

Whilst the players bear much of the responsibility, the real villains are the administrators who have overseen as precipitous a drop as there has been in world sport: from undisputed Number One to where? It's for the administrators to locate where the Windies are right now and to find a way out of this swamp. And it's for their brothers in what I still think of as cricket's family to help them.

[The Tooting Trumpet] 

ICC World Twenty20 - Heroes of the day: Mohammad Ashraful and Aftab Ahmed

Two Bangladesh players were primarily responsible for the win that put the West Indies on the plane out of South Africa today, and with little between them, both Mohammad Ashraful and Aftab Ahmed are today's Googly Heroes. There was only one run's difference between their totals (61 to Ashraful, 62 to Ahmed) but for hitting the fastest 50 (off 20 balls) in International Twenty20, Mohammad gets his picture on here.

[Image: Getty] [mimitig]

ICC World Twenty20: Bangladesh hammer West Indies (and send them home)

No such pyrotechnics from Crystal Gayle today as he first walked back to the shed clutching a duck-egg, then sat as his team built a gettable total that Bangladesh made look even simpler than that.

Devon Smith made 51, albeit slowly, and that was as good as it was to get as the Windies reached 164-8 in their alloted overs.  Shakib al Hasan was the star for Bangladesh, taking 4-34.

Bangladesh took to their response aggresively, with the star of the show being the frighteningly talented Mohammad Ashraful, scoring 61 off 27 scintillating balls (S/R 225!).  By the time he was sent on his way, his partnership with Aftab Ahmed (right) had done for the West Indies and the match.

Twenty20 World Cup: West Indies vs South Africa, video highlights

Relive the cracking opening match.  West Indies innings first, follow the jump for the South African response.

ICC World Twenty20 - Villain of the Day: The West Indies Fielding Unit

The Googly's Hero of the Day, Crystal Gayle (right) has an expression which says it all really - shock, befuddlement and just a little anger. After an innings every bit as good as Gilchrist's extraordinary assault on the Lankan bowlers in the World Cup Final five months ago, he could only look on as his team's incredibly prodigal fielding unit tossed away the win.

Whilst Twenty20 is a batters' game, smart disciplined bowling to flawless, aggressive fielding will win more matches than pyrotechnic batting. And fielding as poor as the Windies', supported by bowlers delivering 16 wides (for a loss of 23 runs) will lose matches even if Crystal Gayle were batting at both ends.

A shameful performance from proud cricketing nations - Tony Cozier's commentary, infused with barely suppressed rage, should be played to all the Windies players. Not that they'll listen.

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty] 

ICC World Twenty20 - hero of the day: Chris Gayle

The ultimate result of this opening match in the ICC World Twenty20 tournament was immaterial to my choice for today (and note, this is NOT a World Cup despite what every man, woman and dog thinks. The inaugural World Twenty20 Cup won't happen until 2009 in England - reason to live number 1510).

Tonight Chris Gayle of the West Indies became the first player to hit a century in international Twenty20, on his way to an outrageous 117 off just 57 balls in the opening innings of this tournament.

Gayle's total included seven fours and 10 sixes and none were slogs or thrashes. His innings was described on Test Match Special as "a beautiful execution of fine cricket shots". Praise indeed. However his performance was not backed up by the rest of the team - the West Indies bowled a record number of wides in an international Twenty20 and generally fielded like amateurs with dropped catches galore, fumblings and over-throws.

Despite the win (by eight wickets and with 14 balls to spare), it was an unfortunate evening for South Africa as both Graeme Smith (broken hand) and Hershelle Gibbs (unspecified injury) are now doubts for the next match.

And just because I can, and it's cheap, tacky, but irresistible, here's a mention for South Africa's V D Philander - at least this time it's not just for his name (no really), but two fine catches of Devon Smith (for 35) and Sarwan (12).

[Image: Getty] [mimitig]

Performance of the day - Ottis Gibson

A couple of matches got underway today in the LV County Championship but only one performance really stood out. Not the for the first time Ottis Gibson has caused watchers to draw breath and at the Riverside, but today, this 38-year old took seven for 46 at an economy rate of just 2.55! Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

[Image: Getty}

West Indies finally advertise for new coach

The WICB have advertised for a replacement for Bennett King, three months after he stepped down.  It is an unenviable job, and I wonder what the job advert will say?

We are looking for dynamic coach to join our elite team and lead West Indies cricket into a new era.  This is an exciting opportunity to lead a high-profile cricket team at the world-class level.

You will have:
- Experience of dealing with giant conflicting egos
- Proven ability of flailing about pointlessly while your employers are publicly criticised by the team you coach
- Exposure to being ignored by senior professionals
- Ability to take on unrealistic expectations due to achievements of previous generation, and the resilience to perform while said generation constantly tell the whole world how your team is not good enough

If this sounds like you, then please get your psychiatrist to ring WICB recruitment on 02458 5241254.

Sri Lanka players ready to join the Indian Cricket League

Remember I told you last week about Brian Lara's latest plans to return from the wilderness of retirement? Well, the Indian Cricket League has begun to approach other international players, beginning with some centrally-contracted chaps in Sri Lanka, who have been offered a whacking 500,000 to 600,000 dollars for each of the three years in the playing contract.

One man who is rumoured to have accepted the deal is the recently-retired Russel Arnold. The Sri Lanka Cricket board have refused to allow their contracted players to join the unrecognised league, with one source saying: "If they go ahead and join the league the result would be similar to the 1982 rebel tour to South Africa," when 14 Sri Lankan cricketers led by Bandula Warnapura were banned for 25 years for taking part in the South African series. [Carrie Dunn] [Image: Getty]

The Greatest Fielder at his best - Roger Harper

No words required.

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[The Tooting Trumpet - with thanks to GU's Rob Smyth]

More reasons for West Indies cricket to be cheerful

More good news for the Windies.  Following the recent announcement that the West Indies Cricket Board debt has been cleared, and therefore no-one on the board is going to get their fingers broken by Tony Soprano, they have now also uncovered some top talent among their junior ranks.

A host of current and former players, the likes of Chris Gayle, Rannaresh Sarwan, Lance Gibbs and Keith Arthurton, attended the first day of the Digicel coaching clinic at the 3Ws Oval, and were mighty impressed with what was on show from the youngsters, who included members of the Barbados Under-13s

"There is a lot of talent here and this is a good sign for the future," ODI Captain Gayle said. "Hopefully we can nurture these young talented cricketers, groom them as we go along so that we do not lose them in the future, they need the right guidance, proper training and good facilities."  You listening WICB treasurers, sat on your mountain of World Cup cash?

The next clinic is in Trinidad on July 26, with further days to be held in Jamaica, Guyana, St Vincent and Antigua.

Lara signs up for the Indian Cricket League

Can anyone say "Kerry Packer"?

Brian Lara and Shane Warne are set to play in a multi-million dollar rebel series in India later this year,

Lara retired in April and has complained ever since that he's bored, so instead of making a return to international cricket, he will take part in the Indian Cricket League (ICL), the brainchild of the country's largest listed media group Zee Telefilms.

In an incredibly bland statement, Lara said: "It gives me great pleasure to join the ICL. I look forward to playing with promising youngsters from India and elsewhere along with some of my illustrious international counterparts who I've shared many an exciting moment with on the field."

One of those illustrious international counterparts is likely to be Shane Warne, according to "sources".

The ICL features six teams, each featuring four international players, two Indian stars and eight upcoming cricketers playing Twenty20 matches across India, though the dates and venues for the series, which has not been recognised by the ICC or the BCCI, have yet to be announced.

Kapil Dev is the ICL's chief executive, and Tony Greig, Dean Jones and Kiran More are all on the organising committee, and Sandeep Patil, Madan Lal and Balwinder Sandhu have signed up as coaches for three of the six proposed teams.

The BCCI has barred current India players and former players on its payroll from associating with the ICL, but those "sources" are saying that secret talks are taking place with many active national cricketers.

BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah is furious and the board's stance will not be changing. "We don't want to promote anybody who wants to be a parallel body. We have a policy and there will not be any re-think on this." [Carrie Dunn] [Image: Getty]

Durham ready to sign Chanderpaul

If you thought you'd seen the back of Shiv Chanderpaul for the time being, how very wrong you were. England one-day captain Paul Collingwood must be more sick of the sight of him than most, which makes it highly amusing that the pair are set to be county team-mates in the very near future.

Chanderpaul has never played county cricket before, and is pencilled in to take the place of Scott Styris, who will be returning to New Zealand shortly. He will join Michael di Venuto as one of Durham's overseas players once he has his working visa sorted out, which the county hope will be in time for him to play from the start of August. [Carrie Dunn] [Image: Getty]