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India Today
2 hours ago
- Sport
- India Today
Clive Lloyd urges complete overhaul of West Indies cricket after historic collapse
Clive Lloyd, the iconic former West Indies captain, has called on cricketing authorities to undertake a serious and comprehensive review of the sport at all levels in the Caribbean, following the Test team's humiliating collapse against Australia at Sabina Park, where they were bowled out for just 27 27-run total was just one run above the lowest score in Test history-New Zealand's 26 in 1955-and has sparked widespread concern across the cricketing world. In response, Cricket West Indies (CWI) has invited Lloyd, along with fellow greats Sir Viv Richards and Brian Lara, to participate in an emergency summit to discuss the future of West Indies a statement to ESPNcricinfo, Lloyd emphasized the need for honest reflection and sweeping changes. "We have to examine all aspects of West Indies cricket-from grassroots to the international level. Everything must be looked at closely and carefully. West Indies cricket is an institution. It has given so much to the people of this region, and we must do all we can to revive it," he who led the West Indies during their dominant era in the 1970s and 80s, said he remains ready to help however he can. He believes the Test team's batting, in particular, needs urgent attention. Only Brandon King and Anderson Phillip averaged above 20 during the series, with King's 75 in Grenada standing out as the highest individual score from either side. The team's inability to bat for long periods, highlighted by the historic collapse, has exposed serious technical and mental stressed the need for more disciplined and patient batters who can "dig in" and value their wickets."We need a couple of Larry Gomes-players who are willing to bat ugly if needed, stay at the crease, and wear down the bowlers. We haven't been doing that. We've lost that ability to fight and stay in," he also echoed head coach Daren Sammy's concerns about the quality of pitches in the Caribbean and the structure of domestic cricket. Lloyd questioned whether enough quality cricket is being played at school, club, and first-class levels, and whether the pitches are helping players develop the skills needed for Test cricket."We have to go back to basics. Are our young players getting the right kind of cricket? Are our pitches helping them learn how to build innings or bowl long spells? The mental side of our game needs to improve too."West Indies have now finished eighth in all three World Test Championship cycles. Their upcoming away tours to India and New Zealand offer little room for quick recovery. Lloyd, who famously led the West Indies to victory in the inaugural Cricket World Cup in 1975, insists the region still has the talent, but bold steps are now always available to help in any way. We've been playing top-class cricket for nearly 100 years. We owe it to ourselves to get this right."As the Caribbean reflects on its proud cricketing past, Lloyd's words serve as a clear reminder: legacy alone is not enough. The time for sentiment has passed. The time for rebuilding has begun.- EndsMust Watch
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
England take 2-1 series lead over India with thrilling win while Australia bowl out West Indies for 27 to complete sweep
CNN World Sport's Patrick Snell and UK Editor of ESPNcricinfo Andrew Miller reflect on a dramatic day in Test cricket.
India.com
15 hours ago
- Sport
- India.com
Andre Russell Set To Retire From International Cricket After This Game : Report
West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell is expected to announce his retirement from international cricket later on Wednesday. The 37-year-old has been named in West Indies' squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Australia, which begins on Sunday. However, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the first two matches set to be held at Sabina Park in Jamaica, his home ground will serve as his final appearance in international cricket. Russell has been representing the West Indies exclusively in T20 Internationals since 2019 and has earned 84 caps in the format. His retirement will come just seven months before the next T20 World Cup, scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February 2026. He has scored over 1,000 runs in T20Is at a staggering strike rate of 163, with a personal best of 71. With the ball, he has taken 61 wickets in 73 innings, including a career-best performance of 3 for 19. Russell is poised to become the second high-profile West Indies cricketer to step away from the international arena in less than two months, following Nicholas Pooran's recent retirement. A two-time T20 World Cup winner, Russell played vital roles in the team's triumphs in 2012 and 2016. In the 2016 final, he opened the bowling and removed England's Alex Hales early in the innings. Hope Still Leads Shai Hope will continue as captain for the T20I series against Australia, with experienced names like Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, and Rovman Powell also included in the squad. Head coach Daren Sammy expressed optimism about the team's direction, saying the focus remains on improving West Indies' T20I rankings and preparing for a competitive World Cup next year. 'Our goals and strategic plans are aligned to winning the T20 World Cup in 2026. We have continuity in the squad from the previous series and as a unit we will continue to fine tune our style and brand ahead of the World Cup,' Sammy said. He also stressed the importance of reclaiming their home advantage. 'Our previous two T20 series at home we were on the wrong end of the results but starting against Australia, we want to regain our form at home as we build momentum into next year's World Cup with our exciting and dynamic group of players,' he added. West Indies T20I Squad: Shai Hope (captain), Jewel Andrew, Jediah Blades, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd. T20I Series Schedule vs Australia: 1st T20I: July 20 – Sabina Park, Jamaica 2nd T20I: July 22 – Sabina Park, Jamaica 3rd T20I: July 25 – Warner Park, St. Kitts 4th T20I: July 26 – Warner Park, St. Kitts 5th T20I: July 28 – Warner Park, St. Kitts
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
India's cricket stars consoled by King Charles after Lord's defeat
Jadeja hailed for taking India close but Gavaskar rues lack of risk LONDON/NEW DELHI: Britain's King Charles III commiserated with India's crestfallen cricket stars on Tuesday in the aftermath of their painful defeat against England at Lord's. Charles consoled members of the Indian team when he hosted them at his Clarence House home less than 24 hours after the third Test ended in an agonizing loss for the tourists. India, chasing 193 to win, were beaten by 22 runs in the final session of the last day. India's Mohammed Siraj was the last man out when he attempted to block a delivery from Shoaib Bashir, only to see the ball spin back onto the stumps and dislodge a bail. The King told India captain Shubman Gill he had watched the crucial last wicket fall on television on Monday. He said in sympathy about the dramatic spin on the ball that dismissed Siraj; 'really annoying just to touch the bails'. India trail 2-1 in the five-match series, with the fourth Test scheduled for Old Trafford next week before the finale at The Oval in London. Gill added: 'He did tell us that the way our last batsman got out was quite unfortunate - the ball rolling on the stumps, and he was just asking us how did we feel after that. 'And we told him it was an unfortunate match for us, but it could have gone either way and hopefully we'll have better luck in both the next games.' Jadeja praised Ravindra Jadeja was praised Tuesday for almost taking India to an unlikely Test win at Lord's, but former greats said a little more risk-taking with the bat might have got his side over the line. Jadeja, batting at number seven, hit a painstaking unbeaten 61 as he shepherded the tail from 112-8 at lunch chasing 193 for victory against England in the third Test. But he eventually ran out of partners after more than four hours at the crease as India were all out for 170 after tea on a nerve-shredding final day. Jadeja, who came in at 71-5 and saw India slump to 112-8 at lunch, chose to protect Jasprit Bumrah and from England's attack by scoring singles to keep the strike and controlling his attacking instincts. Former batting great Sunil Gavaskar said on Sony Sports that scoring quicker and putting pressure back on England's bowlers might have resulted in 'a partnership of 60-70 would have made a difference'. 'India never got that (partnership),' he said. 'You could say that Jadeja could have taken the odd chance and not necessarily the aerial route when Joe Root and Shoaib Bashir were bowling. But full marks to him (Jadeja).' Jadeja hit just four fours and one six in his 181-ball stay before Bashir bowled number 11 Siraj to trigger jubilant England celebrations. 'I'd like to look a little deeper into that whole innings,' former batsman Sanjay Manjrekar said on ESPNcricinfo. 'There was one attempt at playing a shot that went for six. But I don't think there were too many attempted attacking shots. For me, one telling moment was when he got to his fifty and India were still a few runs short. You saw the reaction of the dressing room there were people applauding but I don't think there was excitement around and belief that Jadeja would take them through.' India's greatest batsman Sachin Tendulkar lamented: 'So near, yet so far.' 'Jadeja, Bumrah, & Siraj fought all the way till the end,' he posted on X. 'Well tried, Team India. England played well to keep the pressure on and produced the result they desired. Congratulations on a hard-fought win.' — AFP
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
"I'll cherish this for a long time": Mitchell Starc reflects on milestone Jamaica Test
Kingston [Jamaica], July 15 (ANI): Mitchell Starc may have stolen the show with a fiery spell in Jamaica, but the veteran Australian pacer admitted that the Test match felt uncomfortable for him though certainly not when he had the ball in hand, as per ESPNcricinfo. Starc's performance gave plenty of reasons to talk, he claimed a triple-wicket opening over, reached the 400-wicket milestone, and bagged his career-best figures with the pink ball, 6/9. The left-armer produced a highlight reel of his own, full of deadly inswingers, shattered stumps, and batters trapped in front. Only one of his six wickets required a fielder's help. His 400th Test wicket came when Mikyle Louis got an unfortunate pad in the way. The night before the Test, Starc was honoured with signed jerseys, a bottle of Jamaican rum, and a heartfelt video message featuring family, former teammates, and even players from his AFL side, the Greater Western Sydney Giants but once the match began, it was all business. 'It's certainly been uncomfortable throughout the week,' he said, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo. 'I was happy just to have a win and sing the song. It's certainly been a special week to play, to wear the baggy green. It's been one I'll cherish for a long time,' he added. The game ended so quickly that fans were seen playing on the outfield before sunset. While Australia's dominance, led by Starc and Scott Boland (who took a hat-trick), looked ruthless, it wasn't a typical pink-ball collapse. On the first two days, wickets were hard-fought but on the third day, Starc tore through West Indies in daylight, taking three wickets in his very first over. Interestingly, only nine overs in the entire game were bowled under lights. '(It's) probably a win against the conditions in the fact that we only bowled ten (nine) overs under lights,' Starc said, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo. 'I think everyone today with the ball was pretty spot on. I don't think anyone thought it was going to happen that quickly. We were talking about almost consolidating the scoreboard until we got closer to that night session,' he added. 'It wasn't a plan to drag it out. (But) if things weren't happening straight away, we knew that things would happen quicker in the night session. (It was like) this is what we want to do at the start, but if it doesn't happen straight away, let's just chill out and stop the scoreboard and cash in at night. Didn't need to,' he said. Starc's figures in this four-Test stretch, starting from the World Test Championship (WTC) final, are staggering--20 wickets at an average of 16.45. His 6/9 now ranks better than his previous best of 6/48 against India in Adelaide. 'I felt like my rhythm has been pretty good for a while now,' he said, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo. 'Even coming into the lead up to Lord's, I felt like everything was clicking into place. It's been nice to have that carry on throughout the series. Today, again, just felt like everything was in sync and got some late swing. I think perhaps the breeze might have helped in the fact that I wasn't under lights,' he added. Incredibly, Pat Cummins wasn't needed to bowl in the fourth innings, only the second time in a major match when he was fit. Between Starc and Scott Boland, the job was already done. 'I think a lot of the chat leading into this week is how resilient you need to be and professional to make it 100 Tests,' Cummins said of Starc, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo. '(But) I think that's kind of the Starcy I always remember playing alongside. He can tear a game open by himself really in the matter of a couple of overs. It feels like he can do it in any format, any time,' he added. Once a sceptic of day-night Tests, Starc had voiced concerns when the format was first introduced. While he still feels such matches need careful scheduling with Adelaide as an ideal example, his record says otherwise, 81 wickets at an average of 17.08 in pink-ball Tests. (ANI)
