BRIDGETOWN--After so many false dawns, West Indies cricket fans will be wary of reading too much into Sunday's third test win over England but in drawing the three test series, the Caribbean side showed some significant signs of improvement.
West Indies cricket had been close to disintegration after last year's cancelled tour of India and the bitter dispute between the players and the board. The regional team has also suffered from the preference of several players for the shortest form of the game - Chris Gayle, Lendl Simmons, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine were among those on duty in the Indian Premier League during this series.
It may have been undiplomatic but it was not unreasonable for ECB chairman Colin Graves to describe West Indies as "mediocre" prior to the series. But the appointment of former West Indies test batsman Phil Simmons as the new coach looks a smart move and together with bowling consultant Curtly Ambrose, the backroom team appear to have instilled some much needed professionalism into the team.
Sunday's successful run chase, with the home side set a target of 192 on a wicket offering plenty of encouragement to the bowlers, was exactly the kind of situation that might have led to collapse under pressure for West Indies teams of the recent past. Instead, Jermaine Blackwood and Darren Bravo knuckled down for a 108-run fifth-wicket partnership, scoring at steady rate in 31.5 overs, to set up the victory.
There was focus, discipline and skill in that partnership and Blackwood, by instinct a classic Jamaican strokeplayer, showed with his crucial unbeaten 47 he could also play the kind of sensible knock that was needed. The 23-year-old's 85 in the first innings and his unbeaten 112 in Antigua in the first test, illustrated that he could become the middle order presence that West Indies have so sorely lacked in recent times.
Jason Holder shows great promise with both bat and ball, his unbeaten 103 to save the first test was his only big score but his five wickets in Barbados were vital. Kraigg Brathwaite would ideally have an experienced opening batting partner to guide him through this early stage of his career but he too will be encouraged by a century in the second test in Grenada.
Jerome Taylor, whose career looked almost over due to injury two years ago, now looks back to his best as his performance in Barbados, where he picked up six wickets, illustrated.
There is still a fragility to the batting, as the second test collapse in Grenada showed, but this is, by test standards, a very young team. The opening batting pair in the third test, Bajans Brathwaite and Shai Hope, were 22 and 21-years-old respectively, an unusually youthful combination to head a batting line-up.
They will have to grow up quickly though - next up in June is a two test series against Australia which will offer a stern test of their technique and composure. At least they will go into that mini-series in a positive mood after drawing with the third-ranked team in test cricket.
BRIDGETOWN--After so many false dawns, West Indies cricket fans will be wary of reading too much into Sunday's third test win over England but in drawing the three test series, the Caribbean side showed some significant signs of improvement.
West Indies cricket had been close to disintegration after last year's cancelled tour of India and the bitter dispute between the players and the board. The regional team has also suffered from the preference of several players for the shortest form of the game - Chris Gayle, Lendl Simmons, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine were among those on duty in the Indian Premier League during this series.
It may have been undiplomatic but it was not unreasonable for ECB chairman Colin Graves to describe West Indies as "mediocre" prior to the series. But the appointment of former West Indies test batsman Phil Simmons as the new coach looks a smart move and together with bowling consultant Curtly Ambrose, the backroom team appear to have instilled some much needed professionalism into the team.
Sunday's successful run chase, with the home side set a target of 192 on a wicket offering plenty of encouragement to the bowlers, was exactly the kind of situation that might have led to collapse under pressure for West Indies teams of the recent past. Instead, Jermaine Blackwood and Darren Bravo knuckled down for a 108-run fifth-wicket partnership, scoring at steady rate in 31.5 overs, to set up the victory.
There was focus, discipline and skill in that partnership and Blackwood, by instinct a classic Jamaican strokeplayer, showed with his crucial unbeaten 47 he could also play the kind of sensible knock that was needed. The 23-year-old's 85 in the first innings and his unbeaten 112 in Antigua in the first test, illustrated that he could become the middle order presence that West Indies have so sorely lacked in recent times.
Jason Holder shows great promise with both bat and ball, his unbeaten 103 to save the first test was his only big score but his five wickets in Barbados were vital. Kraigg Brathwaite would ideally have an experienced opening batting partner to guide him through this early stage of his career but he too will be encouraged by a century in the second test in Grenada.
Jerome Taylor, whose career looked almost over due to injury two years ago, now looks back to his best as his performance in Barbados, where he picked up six wickets, illustrated.
There is still a fragility to the batting, as the second test collapse in Grenada showed, but this is, by test standards, a very young team. The opening batting pair in the third test, Bajans Brathwaite and Shai Hope, were 22 and 21-years-old respectively, an unusually youthful combination to head a batting line-up.
They will have to grow up quickly though - next up in June is a two test series against Australia which will offer a stern test of their technique and composure. At least they will go into that mini-series in a positive mood after drawing with the third-ranked team in test cricket.
NASSAU--Not even Usain Bolt could overcome a big American lead as the U.S. men sprinted to a convincing victory over Jamaica in the 4x100 metres relay at the IAAF World Relays in Nassau on Saturday.
Mike Rodgers, Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay powered the Americans to a five-meter advantage through three legs of the highly anticipated race and Ryan Bailey brought the team home in 37.38 seconds.
Bolt, who had missed last year's inaugural World Relays, made up ground on Bailey in their anchor leg but could not close the gap as Jamaica, running their 2013 world championship team, finished second in 37.68.
The Americans' time equalled the seventh-fastest ever over the distance as all eight teams in the final, including third-placed Japan, earned automatic qualifying spots for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The victory highlighted a sparkling night for U.S. athletes, who also set a world record in the women's distance medley and took top honours in the men's 4x800m relay.
Shannon Rowbury anchored the U.S. women home in 10 minutes, 36.50 seconds in the medley with strong support from Treniere Moser, Sanya Richards-Ross and Ajee Wilson. The relay, which has just became a world record event, consists of legs of 1,200, 400, 800 and 1,600m. Kenya were second and Poland third.
Robby Andrews led the U.S. men to a championship record 7:04.84 in the 4x800 with Poland second and Australia third.
Misfortune struck the Americans in the other final, the women's 4x200, when Jeneba Tarmoh and Allyson Felix collided. Nigeria claimed the victory in 1:30.52 with Jamaica second after the Bahamas were disqualified.
The relays were to conclude on Sunday with Bolt likely getting a second chance to beat the Americans in the 4x200m.
NASSAU--Not even Usain Bolt could overcome a big American lead as the U.S. men sprinted to a convincing victory over Jamaica in the 4x100 metres relay at the IAAF World Relays in Nassau on Saturday.
Mike Rodgers, Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay powered the Americans to a five-meter advantage through three legs of the highly anticipated race and Ryan Bailey brought the team home in 37.38 seconds.
Bolt, who had missed last year's inaugural World Relays, made up ground on Bailey in their anchor leg but could not close the gap as Jamaica, running their 2013 world championship team, finished second in 37.68.
The Americans' time equalled the seventh-fastest ever over the distance as all eight teams in the final, including third-placed Japan, earned automatic qualifying spots for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The victory highlighted a sparkling night for U.S. athletes, who also set a world record in the women's distance medley and took top honours in the men's 4x800m relay.
Shannon Rowbury anchored the U.S. women home in 10 minutes, 36.50 seconds in the medley with strong support from Treniere Moser, Sanya Richards-Ross and Ajee Wilson. The relay, which has just became a world record event, consists of legs of 1,200, 400, 800 and 1,600m. Kenya were second and Poland third.
Robby Andrews led the U.S. men to a championship record 7:04.84 in the 4x800 with Poland second and Australia third.
Misfortune struck the Americans in the other final, the women's 4x200, when Jeneba Tarmoh and Allyson Felix collided. Nigeria claimed the victory in 1:30.52 with Jamaica second after the Bahamas were disqualified.
The relays were to conclude on Sunday with Bolt likely getting a second chance to beat the Americans in the 4x200m.
LAS VEGAS--Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao weighed in for what has been labelled the 'Fight of the Century' on Friday, promising to deliver on the massive hype and give fans the excitement they deserve.
What had been a subdued buildup to the most anticipated fight in decades exploded to life when Pacquiao and then Mayweather entered the MGM Grand Garden Arena to thumping hip hop music and deafening cheers from a seething crowd of 11,500, some of whom had waited three hours for a glimpse of the two boxers.
Pacquiao, 57-5-2 (38 knockouts) looking relaxed and confident, weighed in one pound lighter than the undefeated Mayweather 47-0 (26 KOs), tipping the scales at 145 pounds for Saturday's bout. Their meeting is expected to be the biggest grossing prize fight of all-time.
"I have dedicated myself to the sport of boxing for the last 20 years and I am ready," declared Mayweather over a roar of boos and cheers.
Asked for a prediction about the fight, the 38-year-old American said, "I can't really say but I am ready to fight. It's an unbelievable turnout. I'm glad all the fans came out to here to support Manny and me."
Normally free and open to the public, the weigh-in broke from tradition, charging $10 to watch Mayweather and Pacquiao step onto the scales in a move designed to maintain crowd control. All money raised through ticket sales went to charity, but many of the tickets found their way onto the resale market with some commanding $500.
A smiling Pacquiao, dressed in a bright red track suit, waved and raised his fists into the air as he slowly made his way to the stage, playfully interacting with the crowd. In stark contrast, Mayweather was serious and focused, rarely looking up from under the brim of his 'Money Team' baseball cap to reveal a cheeky smirk.
Once the business of the official weigh-in was complete, the two welterweights moved to the front of the stage for the traditional stare down, the smaller Pacquiao looking up at Mayweather with a challenging smile while the stone-faced American stared straight-ahead unmoved.
"I have been fighting bigger guys like (Antonio) Margarito and (Oscar) De La Hoya," said the Filipino southpaw. "It doesn't matter to me. I feel tomorrow that the Lord is always with me and gives me strength. I know it's a great, great responsibility for me to give enjoyment to the fans. Tomorrow the fans deserve to have a great fight."
