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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 28, 2014
Gibson banking on home advantage to beat Black Caps BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – West Indies are banking on home advantage to give them the edge over New Zealand in the upcoming three-Test series. The regional side swept the Black Caps in a two-Test series in the Caribbean two years ago but were then handed a thrashing on the road last year, losing the three-match series 2-0. Head coach Ottis Gibson said he was expecting an improved performance from his side, especially after the whipping last year. “The time before that (2012) we played them in our own backyards and we beat them quite comfortably and then we
went away (last year) and they won quite comfortably over there so now it is our opportunity to show that what happened in New Zealand was a blip, if you like,” Gibson said. “It was unexpected but they (New Zealand) played very well. They are a resurgent sort of team so you have to give them the respect they deserve. We just have to make sure we put in the level of performance that we need to beat them. “It is not going to be easy but playing at home will always give us confidence, especially with the fans behind us, to go out and do well and win the series.” Gibson was speaking to media during the opening
Powell appeals to CAS for reduction in ban
Asafa Powell
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (CMC) – Jamaican sprint star Asafa Powell has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, asking for his 18-month ban to be reduced to three months. The 31-year-old tested positive for the banned stimulant oxilofrine at last year’s national championships and was slapped with the suspension by the Jamaica Anti-doping Commission in April. However, Powell subsequently branded the ruling as “unfair and unjust” and said he would appeal. Fellow Jamaican sprinter
Sherone Simpson, who was also banned for 18 months following a positive drugs test for the same substance, has also appealed to CAS for a reduction in the JADCO suspension. “The athletes put forward that the offence committed is minor and request that the suspensions be reduced to (three) months,” CAS said in a statement. “The CAS has initiated an arbitration procedure in each case and the parties have been invited to file written submissions in accordance with the Code of sports-related arbitration. No hearing date has been fixed yet.” Following the positive test, Powell blamed Canadian physical trainer Chris Xureb for providing him with the supplements that included the banned substance. However, a three-member JADCO disciplinary panel said the sprinter had been “negligent” and had been “at fault”, and banned him until December 28 this year. The suspension was dated to the time of the positive test last year. Powell immediately vowed to fight the ban, pointing out it was the first time in his 12-year career that he had ever tested positive. Powell has never won a World or Olympic title but holds the world record for the most wind-legal sub-10 clockings, with 81.
Jerome Taylor
day of a practice match at the 3Ws Oval, UWI Cave Hill Campus. The match is part of the ongoing preparation camp which sees a 15-man squad gearing up for the series which bowls off June 8 in Jamaica. West Indies are welcoming back fast bowler Jerome Taylor who has not played international cricket in four years, along with fellow speedster Kemar Roach, who has been out of competitive cricket for nearly a year. Roach, who has led the Windies attack in recent years, is coming off surgery in December but Gibson said he had responded well to training.
“He’s gone very well in the last couple of days. He’s back up to speed, there’s no concern with him,” said Gibson. “He’s bowling, throwing and doing everything you would expect from an international cricketer.” The camp, which bowled off last Friday and winds up June 4, will see the Windies play another warm-up match before heading to Jamaica. Gibson said he was buoyed by the response of the squad to the training camp. “The guys that are here have worked quite hard up to now so we’re all very excited as we build up towards Jamaica,” Gibson said.
Sacked Windies captain to play for Glamorgan CARDIFF, Wales (CMC) – Former West Indies Test captain Darren Sammy will turn out for Glamorgan in the English domestic Twenty20 championship, the Welsh club announced yesterday. The Windward Islands all-rounder has been cleared by the West Indies Cricket Board and has received work permit approval from English authorities, and could be in action as early as this Friday when Glamorgan take on Sussex at the SWALEC Stadium. According to the County, Sammy will be available until the Caribbean Premier League bowls off on July 11. “Darren’s skills with bat and ball have delighted crowds all around the world in Twenty20 competitions in recent years so we’re delighted to welcome him to Glamorgan,” said chief executive and director of cricket, Hugh Morris. “Darren arrives fresh from the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise in the Indian Premier League, whom he captained and Glamorgan supporters will get an opportunity to see the all-rounder display his skills as he joins us ahead of Friday’s first home game against Sussex Sharks.” Head coach Toby Radford, who worked closely with Sammy during his time with the West Indies squad, said the St Lucian would be an asset to the Glamorgan side. “Darren is top quality T20 player and a fine addition to our dressing room as he brings with him experience at the highest level,” Radford said. “Darren was a leader on and off the field during my days with the West Indies, so it will be great to work with him again at Glamorgan.”
Sammy arrives at Glamorgan following a disappointing stint at Sunrisers where he managed just 108 runs from nine innings, and sent down 14 overs at an economy rate of 11. The 30-year-old was sacked as Test captain earlier this month and subsequently announced his retirement from the game’s longest form. He has remained available for selection to the shorter forms, and is still captain of the Twenty20 side. West Indies host New Zealand in Twenty20 Internationals
Darren Sammy
in early July, following the conclusion of the three-Test tour. It is unclear if Sammy would miss this series. Sammy has played 38 Tests, 111 one-dayers and 52 T20Is matches for West Indies.
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday May 28, 2014) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)
CSK and RR
(2)
Brendon McCullum (KKR vs RCB, 2008)
Today’s Quiz: (1) How many sixes Chris Gayle struck in the last IPL tournament? (2) Who scored most runs in the first ever IPL tournament? Answers in tomorrow’s issue