Rain delays the start of Windies era of ‘hope’ – 1st ODI

EAST LONDON, (CMC) – West Indies will have to wait a bit longer to start a “new era” of leadership under Shai Hope after persistent rain forced the first One-day International against hosts, South Africa, to be abandoned without a ball being bowled on Thursday.

The day-night match was called off at 4:30 p.m. local time (10:30 a.m. East Caribbean Time), about 3-1/2 hours after the scheduled start, without a toss being spun, and no hope of play at Buffalo Park.

Rain and clouds dominated all day long at the ground, which was staging its first ODI in six years, and though there were a few brief spells when the rain stopped, they never lasted long enough for the groundstaff to carry out substantial mopping-up operations.

The teams will return to the venue for the second ODI on Saturday, when the forecast appears far more promising. The third and final ODI of the series will be next Tuesday in Potchef- stroom.

The series is valuable to both sides as they look ahead to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India later this year.

Neither has yet qualified and both face the prospect of going through a qualification tournament in June and July in Zimbabwe.

Additionally, the release disclosed that the yearly Easter Vacation Swimming Programme will ensue from April 1st-15th at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal and the Colgrain Swimming Pool. Correspondingly, swimming lessons during the above-mentioned identical window will also be conducted at the Watooka Swimming Pool, Linden and at the Albion Estate Pool, East Berbice.

In-person and online registration for the Easter Swimming Programme commenced yesterday, and will conclude on March 26th. The link for online registration, which can also be found on the MCYS’s website, is https://docs.google.com/ forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-1s7HRb01M-rAjgqTkT2N27DYpm19OZHnT5t299guekf.

A replica of the child’s or children’s birth certificates must be presented by the parents or guardians upon in-person registration. The programme is for children aged 6-18.

Supplementary information can be ascertained from the Colgrain Swimming Pool and the National Aquatic Centre on telephone numbers 226-0387 and 222-1306, respectively, from 08:30hrs – 16:00hrs. Details can also be garnered from swimming coach, Paul Mahaica, via telephone number 615-5714. To guarantee participation, immediate registration is essential.

Cricket Quiz Corner

(Friday March 17, 2023)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD

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Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Christchurch, NZ, 1992

(2) Ritchie Richardson & Kepler Wessels

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Which WI player has contested most ODIs against SA to date?

(2) Which SA has played most ODIs against the WI to date? Answers in tomorrow’s issue