Cricket

Alzarri Joseph's Bizarre Exit Overshadows West Indies' Series-Clinching VictoryIn a bizarre turn of events, West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph abruptly left the field during the third ODI against England at Kensington Oval, Barbados. The incident occurred early in the innings after Joseph bowled his second over, despite taking a wicket in it.The disagreement between Joseph and captain Shai Hope began after the first delivery of Joseph's over, when they had an extended discussion about field placement. England were at 10/1, and Joseph appeared frustrated with the field setup, specifically pointing toward the slips in visible frustration.Despite the apparent tension, Joseph continued to bowl and delivered a 148.2 kph short ball, which resulted in the dismissal of England's Jordan Cox, who gloved the ball to the wicketkeeper. However, rather than celebrating the wicket, Joseph left the field without speaking to Hope after completing a wicket-maiden.West Indies coach Darren Sammy attempted to calm Joseph outside the boundary, but the fast bowler remained adamant and went to sit in the dugout. After a brief sit-out, Joseph rejoined the match without further incident, but he resumed bowling later in the 12th over only.Joseph finished with figures of 2 for 45 in his 10 overs, as England posted 263/8 in their 50 overs. The unusual episode did not affect West Indies' overall performance, as they cruised to an eight-wicket victory. Keacy Carty (128*), and Evin Lewis (102) led the successful run chase, reaching the target with 42 balls to spare, sealing a series win for the hosts.The incident between Joseph and Hope remains a talking point, but the West Indies’ dominant performance overshadowed the controversy on the field.

West Indies have recalled Shimron Hetmyer to their ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against England, starting in Antigua on Thursday. Hetmyer replaces Alick Athanaze in the squad, marking the only change from the group that recently toured Sri Lanka.Hetmyer's return to the ODI setup comes after a brief absence. He last featured in the format in December 2023, playing a key role in West Indies' 2-1 series victory over England. However, he missed the Sri Lanka tour due to personal reasons.Despite his absence, Hetmyer has maintained his form in domestic cricket. He recently finished fifth on the run-scorers' list at the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). His inclusion in the squad is expected to bolster West Indies' batting lineup.Alick Athanaze, who had been one of the incumbent openers, has lost his spot to Evin Lewis. Lewis, making his first ODI appearance in over three years, impressed with an unbeaten 102 from 61 balls in the third ODI against Sri Lanka.Shai Hope will continue to lead the West Indies team, which also includes 17-year-old batting prodigy Jewel Andrew. Andrew made his ODI debut at the end of the Sri Lanka series and will be looking to make an impact against England.England, led by Liam Livingstone, have already arrived in the Caribbean for their third limited-overs tour since 2022. Jos Buttler, who has been out with a calf injury since July, is still recovering and will not be available for the ODI series."Playing against England always provides a new challenge and reignites a rivalry that the players and the people of the Caribbean are eager for," said Daren Sammy, West Indies head coach. "We West Indies always find a way to raise our game when we face England."The first two ODIs will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, followed by the third ODI in Barbados. The series will then be followed by five T20Is, played at the Kensington Oval and the Daren Sammy National Stadium in St Lucia.

West Indies Opt to Bat First in ODI Series Opener Against Sri LankaIn the first of three ODIs at Pallekele, West Indies captain Shai Hope won the toss and elected to bat first against Sri Lanka. The decision came after Sri Lanka's 2-1 victory in the T20I leg of the tour.Hope expressed his team's determination to put the T20 series disappointment behind them, while Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka also indicated his preference for batting first.Sri Lanka's team features three spinners in Wanindu Hasaranga, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Dunith Wellalage, along with Asitha Fernando as the lone seamer. Janith Liyanage provides additional medium-pace options. Notably, star opener Pathum Nissanka is absent due to a quadricep injury, with Nishan Madushka making his ODI debut in his place.West Indies have also opted for an additional spin option in leg-spinner Hayden Walsh, joining Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase. Alick Athanaze offers another spin option, while Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph, and Romario Shepherd provide seam bowling.The Pallekele pitch has traditionally favored seam bowling, but its current dry condition with visible tracks suggests that spin will play a significant role. However, the slow turn expected may encourage batters to work the outfielders on the spacious ground.Sri Lanka XI:* Nishan Madushka* Kusal Mendis (wk)* Avishka Fernando* Kamindu Mendis* Charith Asalanka (capt)* Sadeera Samarawickrama* Janith Liyanage* Wanindu Hasaranga* Dunith Wellalage* Jeffrey Vandersay* Asitha FernandoWest Indies XI:* Brandon King* Alick Athanaze* Shai Hope (capt, wk)* Keacy Carty* Sherfane Rutherford* Roston Chase* Romario Shepherd* Hayden Walsh* Gudakesh Motie* Jayden Seales* Alzarri Joseph

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has taken a groundbreaking step by awarding multi-year contracts to its top male and female cricketers. This move is a testament to the board's commitment to player development and stability.The contracts, which span from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2026, are the result of a new four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between CWI and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA). The contracts provide financial security and peace of mind for the players, allowing them to focus on their performances.A total of 15 male players have been awarded contracts, with six receiving two-year deals. Men's ODI captain Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, and Jayden Seales are among those who have earned multi-year contracts.The women's team has also benefited from the new contract structure. Stafanie Taylor, Shemaine Campbelle, and Hayley Matthews have all been awarded multi-year deals."CWI has committed to maintaining open and honest dialogue with players, and being practical about the realities of the modern game," said Miles Bascombe, CWI's director of cricket. "The players have responded in kind, and the acceptance of multi-year contracts is an indication of clarity, confidence, and commitment on both sides."Notable absentees from the contracts list include senior fast bowler Kemar Roach, who is currently in discussions about a dual playing and mentor role. Batter Tagenarine Chanderpaul has also missed out on a central contract but will take up a franchise retainer contract with Guyana Harpy Eagles.Among the new entrants to the contracts list are allrounder Roston Chase and batter Kavem Hodge. Chase was a key player in West Indies' run to the Super Eight during the 2024 T20 World Cup, while Hodge scored a vital first-innings 71 in West Indies' first Test victory in Australia in 28 years.The awarding of multi-year contracts is a significant step forward for West Indies cricket. It provides stability and security for the players, allowing them to focus on their performances and contribute to the success of the team.

West Indies' dominance was on full display as they crushed the United States of America by nine wickets in the T20 World Cup 2024. The victory was a testament to the team's all-around brilliance, with the spinners leading the charge in the bowling department and Shai Hope unleashing a brutal assault with the bat.Roston Chase, the experienced off-spinner, was the star of the show with the ball. He ripped through the USA's middle order, claiming three wickets for just 19 runs. His economical spell set the tone for the West Indies' bowling attack, which restricted the Americans to a modest total of 128.Andre Russell, the enigmatic all-rounder, also played a crucial role with the ball. He picked up three wickets for 31 runs, including the prized scalp of USA captain Monank Patel. The West Indies' spinners kept the USA batsmen in check, with only Steven Taylor (29) and Gajanand Singh (25) managing to reach double figures.In response, the West Indies' chase was a masterclass in power-hitting. Shai Hope, who had been struggling for form in the tournament, exploded with an unbeaten 82 off just 39 balls. He smashed eight towering sixes, including three in a row off USA spinner Nisarg Patel.Nicholas Pooran provided excellent support to Hope, scoring an unbeaten 55 off 27 balls. The duo put on an unbroken 129-run partnership to seal the victory with 55 balls to spare. Hope's half-century came off just 26 balls, making it the fastest in T20 World Cup history for the West Indies.The victory was a resounding statement from the West Indies, who showed that they are a force to be reckoned with in this tournament. Their disciplined bowling and explosive batting will be a threat to any team they face.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals witnessed a controversial catch that sparked a heated debate. The incident occurred when Sanju Samson, batting at 86, hit a shot straight down the ground off Mukesh Kumar. Shai Hope, fielding at deep mid-wicket, caught the ball but came dangerously close to the boundary line.The third umpire ruled Samson out, but the batsman refused to leave the field. He engaged in a lengthy discussion with the officials before eventually departing. The decision sparked a fierce debate on social media, with many questioning whether Samson was actually out.A new video released by official broadcasters Star Sports has shed light on the incident. The footage shows that Hope's leg did not touch the boundary cushion, indicating that Samson was indeed out. IPL-winning coach Tom Moody explained that the "boundary cushion" remained stationary during the catch.However, former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has expressed a dissenting opinion. In a separate video, Sidhu claimed that Hope had touched the boundary rope. He argued that the side-on angle clearly showed the ball touching the boundary twice.The controversy has highlighted the challenges of using technology in cricket. While the third umpire's decision was based on the available replays, some experts believe that the technology may have made a mistake.The incident has also raised questions about the role of the on-field umpires. Some argue that the umpires should have intervened and overruled the third umpire's decision. Others maintain that the third umpire has the final say and that the on-field umpires should not interfere.The controversy is likely to continue for some time, as fans and experts debate the merits of the decision. It serves as a reminder that even in the age of technology, human error and interpretation can still play a significant role in cricket.