Cricket

Barbados, a small island nation in the Caribbean, has a rich cricketing history that has produced some of the greatest players the game has ever seen. From the legendary trio of Everton Weekes, Frank Worrell, and Clyde Walcott, known as the "Three Ws," to the iconic Garfield Sobers, the island has been a breeding ground for cricketing excellence.In 2007, the Cricket Legends of Barbados museum was established to preserve and celebrate this legacy. Located across from the historic Kensington Oval, the museum houses a treasure trove of cricketing artifacts and memorabilia.Among the prized possessions is a bat autographed by the first West Indies team to tour England in 1928, marking the region's elevation to Test status. Life-size cutouts of cricketing legends like Sobers, Greenidge, and Hall greet visitors, creating an immersive experience.One of the highlights of the museum is the section dedicated to Garfield Sobers, widely regarded as the greatest all-rounder in cricket history. His brilliance is showcased through a collection of his personal belongings, including his bat and gloves.The museum also features a bat used by Gordon Greenidge in his brutal 226 against Australia in 1991, a testament to the dominance of West Indies cricket during that era.The Cricket Legends of Barbados museum is a must-visit for any cricket enthusiast. It offers a glimpse into the rich history of the sport on the island and pays homage to the legendary players who have made Barbados a cricketing powerhouse.

In the heart of Barbados, nestled amidst the lush greenery of the University of the West Indies Cave Hill campus, lies the 3Ws Oval. This quaint ground serves as a testament to the legendary trio of cricketers — Frank Worrell, Clyde Walcott, and Everton Weekes — who hailed from the island.The busts of these three cricketing giants stand proudly in the park outside the oval, a reminder of their extraordinary contributions to the sport. Their exploits are etched into the annals of cricket history, forever immortalized in the Frank Worrell Trophy, awarded to the winner of the West Indies-Australia Test series.Worrell, the first black cricketer to captain the West Indies team, led the side on the famous 1960-61 tour to Australia. His popularity was such that the trophy bearing his name was commissioned at the end of that tour. Walcott, arguably the world's best batter in the 1950s, reached the zenith of his career when he gave up wicketkeeping to focus solely on scoring runs.Weekes, a powerful strokeplayer, holds the world record for scoring five successive hundreds in Test innings, a feat that remains unmatched to this day. The 3Ws Oval stands as a symbol of the golden era of Caribbean cricket, when these three exceptional batters dominated the game.The massive statue of stumps that stands guard over the green outfield is a constant reminder of the battles that have been fought on this hallowed ground. The exploits of the 3Ws are not just confined to the history books; they continue to inspire generations of young cricketers who dream of emulating their heroes.The 3Ws Oval is more than just a cricket ground; it is a shrine to the legacy of three of the greatest cricketers to have ever graced the game. Their names will forever be etched in the hearts of cricket fans around the world, and their contributions will continue to be celebrated for generations to come.

India's head coach Rahul Dravid faced a barrage of questions about his past performances in Barbados during a press conference ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 match against Afghanistan. Dravid, who had a forgettable outing in Barbados as a player in 1997, was visibly irked by the reporter's query."Geez, thanks a lot buddy! I have had some other decent memories here as well," Dravid retorted sarcastically.The reporter persisted, asking if it was an opportunity for Dravid to create new and better memories. Dravid's patience snapped."God man! I am not trying to make new anything man!" he exclaimed.Dravid emphasized that he had moved on from his past performances and was solely focused on his current role as coach."I move on from things very quickly. That's one of my things. I don't look back on things. I try and look at what I am doing now, at the moment. I am not concerned about what happened in 97 or some other year," he said.Dravid acknowledged that his past performances would remain on the scorecard, but he refused to dwell on them."Even if we win this match tomorrow, unfortunately, that is still going to remain 80 on the scorecard, however much I try and will it. No I don't think about any retribution. I move on from things. What's in front of me, good or bad?"Dravid reiterated that he no longer identified with his past as a player."I don't think of myself much as a player anymore. Yeah, just move on. Focus on tomorrow, and try and get a good result tomorrow," he concluded.

Barbados, the "cricket paradise," has embraced the T20 World Cup with open arms. From the moment visitors arrive at the airport, they are greeted by the iconic image of Sir Garfield Sobers, a testament to the island's deep-rooted love for the sport.Unlike the United States, where cricket is still gaining traction, Barbados exudes a palpable sense of cricket fever. Volunteers and locals alike wear T20 World Cup shirts, while conversations at every turn revolve around the tournament. The island's rich cricketing legacy is evident in the posters of legendary players like Sobers, Joel Garner, and the 3Ws adorning the airport.The bond between Barbadians and cricket goes beyond celebrity worship. Taxi drivers have personal anecdotes of encounters with Sir Garry, while locals like Solly, who grew up playing with the Pathan brothers, now share the field with Dyawne Smith and Kyle Mayers.However, a tinge of sadness lingers among older generations who witnessed the glory days of West Indies cricket. The team's failure to qualify for the ODI World Cup has left a void, and for them, T20 is not the true measure of world champions.Despite their disappointment, Barbadians remain hopeful for a strong showing from the West Indies in the T20 World Cup. Tickets for the final on June 29 are sold out, and even those who don't have faith in the team express a desire for India to win, recognizing their exceptional talent.As the tournament progresses, Barbados will continue to serve as a haven for cricket enthusiasts, offering a unique blend of history, passion, and the thrill of the game.

Virat Kohli, India's star batter, is determined to improve his performance after a disappointing US leg of the T20 World Cup. During a practice session at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, Kohli faced off against Jasprit Bumrah, one of the world's best bowlers. Despite not scoring runs in the US, Kohli displayed a hunger to turn things around and make this World Cup his own.Kohli's batting coach, Vikram Rathour, expressed confidence in his ability, stating that he has been batting beautifully in the nets. Kohli's practice session included facing short balls aimed at his rib-cage, which he pulled ferociously, and driving pitched-up deliveries with precision.Another key player for India, Ravindra Jadeja, is also seeking batting form. He was one of the first to join Kohli in the batting nets and showed signs of improvement. The team management is confident in Jadeja's ability as a big-game player and wants him to be ready for the final leg of the tournament.In addition to batting practice, the Indian fielders also engaged in drills at the Kensington Oval. The green expanse provided an opportunity for them to hone their skills, which they missed out on due to damp conditions in the US.As India prepares for their first Super 8 game against Afghanistan on Thursday, Kohli and Jadeja are determined to make a significant impact. The team is confident in their abilities and is eager to prove themselves on the field.

Indian Cricketers Unwind with Volleyball on Barbados BeachThe Indian cricket team is enjoying a relaxed atmosphere in the Caribbean as they prepare for the Super Eights stage of the T20 World Cup. A video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on their social media handles shows players like Virat Kohli, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Arshdeep Singh unwinding with a game of volleyball on a beach in Barbados.The video also features reserve player Khaleel Ahmed, who says, "We have pretty good players in our team (of volleyball) like Rinku Singh and Yashasvi Jaiswal."India advanced to the Super Eights stage of the T20 World Cup undefeated, with victories against Ireland, Pakistan, and the United States. Their last group match, against Canada, was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a wet outfield at Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida on Saturday.The Indian team will hit the nets in Barbados on June 17 to prepare for their game against Afghanistan. They will face Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Australia in Barbados, Antigua, and St Lucia respectively in the Super Eights.The relaxed atmosphere and team bonding activities are a positive sign for India as they look to continue their winning ways in the Super Eights. The team has shown great depth and versatility, with different players stepping up in different matches.Kohli, who has been in excellent form with the bat, will be looking to lead from the front once again. Pandya has been a key all-rounder, contributing with both bat and ball. The bowling attack has also been impressive, with Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Yuzvendra Chahal all performing well.India will be confident of their chances in the Super Eights, but they will need to be at their best to overcome the challenges posed by Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Australia.

Jofra Archer's emotional return to Barbados for the T20 World Cup was a moment of immense pride and joy for the England pacer. As he stepped onto the field at Kensington Oval, the cheers from the crowd were deafening, with a large contingent of children from his alma mater, Christ Church Foundation, adding to the thunderous applause.Archer's eyes welled up with tears as he surveyed the scene, overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from his homeland. "It was a little bit emotional," he admitted. "I had a little bit of water in my eye, a bit of a cry, but I was just settling."The prime minister of Barbados had invited Archer and his teammates to her box, but she had also arranged for students from Archer's and Chris Jordan's former schools to attend the match. "It was really, really emotional," Archer said. "I felt really supported. I felt unbelievable."Archer had avoided media interactions before the game, preferring to focus on his return to Barbados. "Once you get the first ball out of the way, any nerves are gone," he explained. "You tend to forget everything else and just focus."Archer's return to fitness has been carefully managed by England, who are eager to have him at his best for the T20 World Cup. He underwent surgery on his right elbow last year and has been gradually building up his workload since then."It was just a little bit of luck because, you know, if we'd gone a little bit… it could have gone wrong," Archer said. "Maybe I could peak too early and could have missed this. Or I didn't get up to speed fast enough and I miss it again. So I just feel very lucky that everything had checked along with this block."Archer has been playing cricket since November and feels fully fit. He believes his body is ready for the rigors of international cricket after bowling against Pakistan in the fifth T20I at the Oval."It's alright to train and it's alright to play in games here, but to get that last 10% intensity and [feel] actually, the body is okay. You know when you are able to step it up and the body takes it, then that's really, really refreshing."Archer will not play Test cricket this summer, but his eventual return to the format is being carefully managed. "I've got a PDF file of every single game I'm supposed to play in from now till next summer anyway," he said. "Yeah, they've really planned out almost everything."England have one more match at Kensington Oval before moving to Antigua for the rest of their group matches. The highly anticipated clash with Australia on Saturday could be crucial to their T20 World Cup hopes. The majority of fans will again be cheering for England and for one of their own.

Phil Salt, a rising star in English cricket, is set to make a special return to Barbados, the place where he spent his formative years. Fourteen years after witnessing England's triumph in the 2010 World T20 from the stands, Salt is now an integral part of the team aiming to defend their title at the same venue.Salt's journey to international stardom began in Barbados, where he honed his skills from the age of nine to 15. Despite not being a native Bajan like Jofra Archer and Chris Jordan, Salt acknowledges the profound impact the island has had on his life and career."To be back here and have the opportunity to play for England in a World Cup is a dream come true," Salt said. "Barbados has always been a special place for me, and I'm grateful for the experiences I had here."Salt's rise to prominence has been marked by a combination of factors, including increased experience in international cricket, a keen analysis of his strengths and weaknesses, and a mindset shift towards becoming a game-changer for England."I've realized that I want to be the person winning more games for my country," Salt said. "I'm not afraid to take risks and play aggressively, but I also understand the importance of staying grounded and focusing on one ball at a time."Salt's partnership with England captain Jos Buttler has been instrumental in his growth. The duo has forged a formidable opening stand, showcasing their complementary styles and ability to adapt to different situations."We communicate a lot out there and realize that when one goes, we feed the strike to the other person," Salt said. "It's a partnership based on trust and understanding."As England embarks on their World T20 title defense, Salt is confident in his team's abilities. He draws inspiration from the 2010 triumph, where the opening partnership played a pivotal role."I remember watching Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb in that final," Salt said. "They were incredible, and I've always tried to emulate their fearless approach."If Salt and Buttler can replicate the success of their predecessors, England will have a strong chance of lifting the trophy once again. And for Salt, it would be a dream come true, fulfilling the childhood aspirations he had while watching that memorable final in Barbados.

Paceman Jofra Archer has been recalled to England's squad for the defense of their T20 World Cup crown after a year out of action. The 29-year-old, who has endured a string of injuries since his international breakthrough in 2019, has not played competitive cricket for a year but has recovered from a right elbow injury.Archer's return is a major boost for England, who are looking to retain the title they won in Australia in 2022. The right-arm quick has taken 15 wickets in 15 T20 appearances for England, and his pace and accuracy will be a valuable asset to the team.Archer's recall is also a testament to his resilience and determination. After suffering a stress fracture of his elbow in 2021, he underwent surgery and spent months rehabilitating. He made a brief return to action in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2022, but was forced to withdraw after just two matches due to a recurrence of the injury.However, Archer has worked hard to regain his fitness, and he is now back to full strength. He has been playing for Sussex in the County Championship, and he has taken 14 wickets in four matches.Archer's return to the England squad is a welcome boost for captain Jos Buttler. The team is already without Ben Stokes, who has ruled himself out of the T20 World Cup to focus on regaining full fitness as an all-rounder.England will begin the defense of their title against Scotland in Barbados on June 4. They will also play Pakistan in a four-match T20 series beginning at Headingley on May 22.