President of Cricket West Indies, Dave Cameron is calling on the WINDIES Men to remain encouraged as Captain, Jason Holder will miss the 3rd Test due to a suspension.
The WINDIES men had a clinical 2nd Test match victory versus England in Antigua to win the Wisden Trophy Series, a feat last achieved in the Caribbean 10 years ago.
The WINDIES’ convincing victory which lasted less than three days, thrust West
CWI President Dave Cameron
Indies fans into a celebratory mood. However, soon after came the disappointing news that Holder had been suspended for the next Test because of the International Cricket Council’s slow over rate rule.
Cameron said: “We will, of course, abide by the ICC ruling, but we have to wonder if such punitive action at a pivotal stage of the series is good for cricket. What a shame if the series is remembered not for the sparkling play of the reinvigorated West Indies players but for a crippling decision made by a rule that ought to be modified,” said Cameron.
Holder now has the opportunity to benefit from resting his body over the period of the next test and be well prepared for the upcoming ODI series which begins on February 20. The team is also expected to be well equipped and motivated to emerge victorious at the Daren Sammy Stadium when the 3rd and final Test match bowls off in St Lucia on Saturday, February 9.
Meanwhile, the Windies captain still remains at the top of the MRF Tyres ICC Test Player Rankings for All-rounders and has gained four spots in the Bowlers list to a career-best, sixth. He reached a tally of 778 rating points, the highest by any
CWI President Dave Cameron
Windies bowler since the retirement of Courtney Walsh in 2001.
The player of the match in Antigua though was Kemar Roach, who grabbed four wickets in each innings. He was rewarded with a jump of eight slots to 12th position, just one place behind his compatriot Shannon Gabriel, who advanced one slot. Alzaari Joseph gained 12 places to secure 53rd position.
The Windies batsmen to advance include Kraigg Brathwaite (up one place to 33rd), Shane Dowrich (up two places to 45th), Shai Hope (up five places to 46th) and Darren Bravo (up two places to 55th) after his determined 50 in 342 minutes.
For England, Jonny Bairstow’s first-innings half-century has helped him push up two places to 23rd position while wicketkeeper Ben Foakes has gained eight places to reach 64th in the list. (CWI)
