Tuesday October 16, 2012
Kaieteur News
New WICB CEO congratulates Windies team on WT20 triumph - also recognizes Windies Women for achieving key target of finishing in top four of WT20 ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the West Indies Cricket Board Michael Muirhead has sent formal congratulations to the West Indies team on their recent triumph in the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka. “I wish to congratulate Captain Darren Sammy, Head Coach Ottis Gibson and Team Manager Richie Richardson along with all the players and members of the Team Management on their historic triumph which has brought joy, pride and boundless excitement to the people of the Caribbean,” Mr. Muirhead said on his first official day of work in Antigua. “The victory in the final was a thrilling one but it was achieved, clearly, on the back of rigorous preparation, astute planning and sustained and consistent performances when it mattered most,” Mr. Muirhead assessed. “I am honoured to be entering West Indies cricket at a time when the region is enthused about the game and the prospects. I am thankful to the team and the WICB Board and Management which have all worked on ensuring that the fundamentals for this triumph were in place, even if ahead of the projected strategic target,” Mr. Muirhead added.
The WICB in its five year Strategic Plan 2011-2016 had set as a specific target winning the ICC World T20 Tournament in 2014. “Now that through the outstanding work of the players and the Team Management we are ahead of our goals we will need to review and readjust and look to retain the title in 2014, even as we are cognizant that the other cricketing powerhouses will be leaving nothing to chance as they too prepare,” Muirhead outlined. “I wish to also commend Captain Merissa Aguilleira and her team, Head Coach Sherwin Campbell and the members of the Team Management of the West Indies Women’s Team for their representation of the West Indies region in the Women’s World Twenty20,” Muirhead noted. “While our Women’s team did not win the title, it is clear to all that they have made significant advancement in recent years and continue stridently on the development path,” Muirhead said. “In fact the Windies Women achieved one of the stated WICB key strategic objectives – to finish in the top four of each of the Cricket World Cups and World Twenty20s held between 2011 and 2016,” Muirhead said.
WICB CEO Michael Muirhead - William Richards photo “The WICB has also set out as a key target for the Women’s team to win one of these tournaments by 2016 and we will continue to support them with training and resources toward this goal as they prepare for the next global engagement – the Women’s World Cup next year,” Muirhead said. The West Indies Women’s team made the semifinal of the Women’s World Twenty20 but lost to Australia who went on the claim the title. Mr. Muirhead shared his congratulations and commendations in letters to the two Captains and Team Managers.
‘Not taking Bangladesh lightly’ - Gayle
ESPNcricinfo - West Indies opener Chris Gayle has said that he wouldn’t take anything for granted in his team’s upcoming tour of Bangladesh. Even though West Indies have lost only an ODI and a Twenty20 each in Bangladesh, he described the hosts as “dangerous at home”. The left-hand batsman was named in the 15-man Test squad which will arrive in Dhaka on November 3 to play two Tests. West Indies will also play five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international. “It is going to be a very challenging [series]. We know how dangerous Bangladesh can be at home. It’s not a team where you want to go there and take lightly,” said Gayle. “You’ve got to be mindful of the conditions and try and add up as quickly as possible and settle as much and
Chris Gayle whenever you get a chance, just try and maintain it and take it from there.” Upon making his return to Test cricket, Gayle averaged 80 against New Zealand which includes a 150 in his comeback innings. He has
played four Tests against Bangladesh so far, in 2002 and 2004, and has an average of 69.40. West Indies have toured Bangladesh for full series twice, in 2002 and 2011. Gayle wasn’t in the teams during last year’s tour and as a result it had brought the teams closer. But the likes of Marlon Samuels, Kirk Edwards, Darren Bravo and Devendra Bishoo starred in the 1-0 and 2-1 wins in the Test and ODI series. “Most of the guys have been there before in Test series and in ODIs so most of the guys have experience, so it should be an interesting series,” added Gayle. Denesh Ramdin also toured Bangladesh in October last year, but played only in the ODI series and the solitary T20I. Carlton Baugh was the preferred Continued on page 20
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