St. Lucia Shines in Stanford Twenty 20

by Dexter Theodore

St. Lucia played its first match in the Stanford 20-20 Cricket tournament last night when it took on the British Virgin Islands at the Stanford Cricket Ground in Antigua.

St. Lucia won the toss, invited the BVI to bat and restricted them to a paltry 105 for 9 in their twenty overs. At their turn at the crease St. Lucia cruised to a seven wicket victory after surviving a small scare when Craig Emmanuel and Alvin Lafeuille were dismissed off successive deliveries to reduce St. Lucia to 32 for 2.

Skipper and man-of-the-match, Darren Sammy chipped in with a breezy 21 in 13 balls to put the issue beyond doubt. This batting performance, together with an impressive 2 for 14 when the BVI batted, and energetic fielding were enough to win Sammy the man-of-the-match cheque.

St. Lucia will meet Antigua on Wednesday July 19, 2006 in what promises to be a stronger test for Sammy's men.

Tips For Buying A New Cricket Bat

by: Ian Canaway

When it comes to buying a new cricket bat there are a number of factors that you need to address before making your final decision to purchase a new cricket bat, such as:

The brand,
The size,
The model,
The weight,

…these are just a few factors to consider.

This article will look briefly at a few tips to follow when it comes to replacing your old favourite bat with a new cricket bat.

Choosing a cricket bat based on its brand really comes down to personally preference, as realistically there is not much major difference between brands. They all have cricket bats with similar attributes and features

About The Author
Ian Canaway
Discover amazing cricket tips and tricks at that you can use today to explode your cricket results! Visit: http://www.cricketsecrets.com/bonus.html.
ian.canaway@gmail.com

Cricket Bat Care And Maintenance Tips

by: Ian Canaway

You should oil your new cricket bat using linseed oil before you begin to it knock-in.
Firstly lightly sand the surfaces of the cricket bat with a fine grade of sand paper. Then apply 2-3 light coats of oil to all exposed surfaces of the bat, allowing sufficient time for the bat to dry between coats, usually overnight.

It’s best to avoid oiling your cricket bat if it already has an artificial coating. Also don’t stand the bat in oil as this can cause the bat to soften and be more prone to damage.

Once you have oiled your bat and it has dried out, you can then begin to knock-in your new cricket bat.

After a match always check over your bat for signs of damage, such as cracking or splitting of the wood. You can repair damage by sanding and cleaning the damaged area, then using super glue or cricket bat tape to repair any small surface cracks.

During the off season, avoid storing your new cricket bat in a dry/warm location. Particularly avoid storing your bat in direct sunlight or rooms in your house where there are artificially high temperatures, as this will cause the bat to dry out.

At the end of the season if is often worth applying another light coat of linseed oil and again at the start of the next season. But don’t over oil as you may end up weakening the willow.

If you take good care of your cricket bat it should easily last at least 3-4 seasons. However if you mistreat it and don’t care for it, it will be much more prone to damage. It is normal however to get surface cracks on any cricket bat, even new bats, these are easily repaired with tape or glue and shouldn’t affect the quality of the bat.

But if a major split does occur it’s worth contacting your supplier, as they may send it back to the manufacturer, who will often repair it or send you a new one. However if it is clear the bat has been mistreated, it’s unlikely they will repair or replace it.

About The Author
Ian Canaway
Discover amazing cricket tips and tricks at that you can use today to explode your cricket results! Visit: http://www.cricketsecrets.com/bonus.html. Or visit our forum at: http://www.cricketsecrets.com/phpBB2/.
ian.canaway@gmail.com

Cricket Bowling Tips And Hints

by: Ian Canaway

When bowling in cricket there are many possible cricket tips or hints that can help improve your bowling.

In bowling, a combination of natural ability, good technique and practice is the recipe for good bowling, whether it is fast, slow or spin.

Here are some tips that will help your bowling and when implemented correctly your bowling speed:

The basic grip to hold the ball is to keep the seam vertical and to hold the ball with your index finger and middle finger either side of the seam with the side of your thumb resting on the seam underneath the ball.

In your approach/run in, try to stay:
- Smooth,
- Balanced,
- Economical,
- Rhythmical,
- Consistent and stay relaxed and try not to tense up.

During your approach and action, your head position is very important. Make sure that as you approach the wicket you are running at a steady, consistent speed, and increase strides. Aim to keep your head as steady and level as possible, looking towards your target.

Pull your front arm down and through the target area, making sure you complete the delivery with a full follow through.

Try to keep everything in the same direction, towards your target, keep your hips and shoulders parallel/in-line, and follow through the delivery in the direction where you intend the ball to go.

Also as a bowler it is very important to stay in great shape, as you’ll enjoy the game more and perform better in the latter stages if you have good stamina. So incorporating some light weight sessions in to your training is important.

Also aim to try and run 3 times a week to keep your cardiovascular system in top condition and to improve your stamina. South African fast bowler Makhaya Ntini, is well know for running 10Km every morning, even on match days!

But make sure you consult your coach/doctor/gym instructor before starting any sessions.


About The Author
Ian Canaway
Discover amazing cricket tips and tricks at that you can use today to explode your cricket results! Visit: http://www.cricketsecrets.com/bonus.html.
ian.canaway@gmail.com

Is the West Indies Back?

By Dexter Theodore

West Indies snatched victory from the jaws of defeat yesterday, May 20 when the second One Day International came to a thrilling end at Sabina Park in Jamaica.

India had won the toss and sent the West Indies in to take first knock, hoping no doubt to extend their record-breaking 17-match winning record when batting second. It looked like an Indian victory was a foregone conclusion after the West Indies struggled to a paltry 198 for 9 with Ramnaresh Sarwan's 98 not out being the only innings of note.

It was clear to everyone that the West Indies would have to bowl out India as they would obviously get the runs if they batted their full quota of 50 overs. When skipper Dravid, basher Sehwag, and the dangerous Kaif were all dismissed cheaply, West Indian fans dared to hope. With India tottering at 134 for 7 the West Indies appeared to be in the driving seat, but Yuvraj Singh's recent form meant that no West Indian could breathe easily until he had been dismissed. He and Ramesh Powar added 43 for the eighth wicket and the match was swinging back in favour of India. But the West Indies struck back decisively to reduce India to 188 for 9 going into the final over, with Yuvraj off strike.

Lara entrusted allrounder Bravo with the job of bowling the last over. His first task was to keep Yuvraj away from the strike. No such luck. Yuvraj won the strike easily and edged the second ball of the over past the keeper for four, then followed that with another more convincing boundary. The pendulum had swung once more. India needed a mere 2 runs from the last three balls.

The television commentator, Tony Cozier said that the West Indies had to get Yuvraj out with the next delivery. Talk about understatements! Emboldened by this pronouncement I tossed aside years of disappointment, and from my armchair hundreds of miles away from the action I weighed the options, and as Bravo made his way to the top of his bowling mark, I had the answer. I said aloud to my doubting nephew, “A slower one”.

Bravo ran up, bowled a slower ball, and Yuvraj, deceived by the change of pace, mistimed his stroke and was spectacularly bowled for 93. Match over! West Indies had won by 1 run!

A Legendary Cricketer Bats His Final Innings

By Dexter Theodore

Sporting icon, Francis “Mindoo” Phillip was laid to rest yesterday, 15th May, 2006 in the shade of the majestic Samaan tree which stands sentinel over the Mindoo Phillip Park, one of the island's foremost sporting and cultural venues, renamed in Mindoo's honour following Saint Lucia's attainment of independence.

Mindoo rose to cricketing prominence as an aggressive righthanded batsman and a more than able bowler who represented Saint Lucia and the Windward Islands in the 1950's and 1960's. Many pundits believe that absent the discrimination which players from the smaller islands faced in those days, Mindoo would have represented the West Indies in international cricket.

After he retired from cricket Mindoo gave selfless service to his community as a cricket umpire, soccer referee, cricket coach and curator of the Mindoo Phillip Park.

It was therefore no wonder after he succumbed to stomach cancer on Friday 5th May 2006 that the decision was taken to hold his funeral ceremony at the Park and also to inter his earthly remains under the spreading Samaan tree there.

Rest in Peace, Francis “Mindoo” Phillip.

I Was There When Saint Lucia Made History!

By Dexter Theodore

On Wednesday 10th May 2006 at 1.30 p.m. I drove, with some trepidation, into the make-shift car-park at Rodney Bay which the Saint Lucian cricketing authorities had colourfully dubbed the Rodney Bay “Park & Ride” carpark. It was the local Cricket World Cup committee's latest stratagem to address the nightmarish traffic-management issues which had marred international matches played at the ultra-modern Beausejour Cricket Ground at Gros Islet in Saint Lucia.

Suitably re-assured by the presence of uniformed policemen directing traffic, I parked my vehicle, grabbed my binoculars, transistor and seat-cushion, hurried over to the ticket booth, paid my twenty bucks, climbed into the waiting 14-seater and settled down for my short commute to the ground.

I noted, with approval, that the Beausejour Road had been re-paved. “The road was only paved last night” a helpful fellow-passenger informed us all. Very soon we were at the Stadium, compliments the recently constructed ring-road which had won such high praise from Don Lockerbie, the World Cup's Venue Director on his visit here last week.

Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat, but they were soon in trouble at 6 for 1 after Lara gobbled up Rinke at first slip off Jerome Taylor for a duck. Duffin and B. Taylor responded well and added 36 for the second wicket before Taylor was dismissed for 21. Although Duffin soldiered on bravely to score 38 before being brilliantly run out by wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdi's direct hit and Strydom bludgeoned his way to an enterprising 48, the rest of the team folded around them and Zimbabwe were all out for 152 off 49.2 overs. Debutant Dave Mohammed, chinaman/googled his way to 3 for 37. Dwayne Bravo, ever reliable, grabbed 3 for 24 and Jerome Taylor chipped in with 2 wickets.

During the dinner break, fans were entertained by a gyrating female calypsonian who so mesmerised the patrons that many scarcely realised when the historic moment came shortly before 6.00 p.m when the floodlights were switched on for the first time in a One Day International in the Caribbean.

When the West Indian openers strode out to bat in that twilight that exists moments before the lights “take” a few hearts must have fluttered as it is well-known that picking up the ball is most difficult at that time. But all things considered 152 never looked like being nearly enough on the placid Beausejour pitch, and so it proved. Sewnarine Chattergoon (54), who was playing in just his second One Day International and established opener and man-of-the-match, Chris Gayle (95) mauled the Zimbabwe attack, hitting boundaries seemingly at will, as the West Indies raced to 156 without loss in the twenty-eighth over.

The traffic management plans of the authorities met their sternest test as the fans streamed out of the stadium after the match. Many grumbled that the walk to the pick-up point was too long and there was some confusion when we got there as patrons scrambled to differentiate the shuttles which would return them to their parked vehicles from the others which served the neighbouring communities. However, it was nothing like the debacle of 2002, when the BCG hosted its first international fixture, and it took all of three hours to exit the venue. This time I was at the Park & Ride carpark about an hour after the match ended. With a little better organisation at the pick-up zone this time could have been considerably reduced.

No doubt the necessary adjustments will be made as Saint Lucia fine-tunes its preparations for the Cricket World Cup next year.

Saint Lucia Poised to Make Cricketing History

By Dexter Theodore

Two months to the day after hosting the first day-night first-class fixture in the Caribbean, when West Indies A took on England A, the ultra-modern Beausejour Cricket Ground in Gros Islet is poised to make history again when the West Indies plays Zimbabwe tomorrow, 10th May 2006, in the first day-night One Day International cricket match ever played in the Caribbean.

Completed in 2002, the Beausejour Cricket Ground is a state-of-the-art facility which presently seats 12,000 spectators and will be increased to 20,000 in 2007 when Saint Lucia hosts a semi-final and the Blue Group in the Cricket World Cup 2007.

The Beausejour is the only cricket ground in the West Indies fitted with flood lights. When he was here earlier this week to assess Saint Lucia's state of preparedness for the World Cup, Don Lockerbie, the Cricket World Cup 2007's venue development officer, was high in praise for Saint Lucia's efforts, saying, “Lights are also an extraordinary improvement for any stadium and the fact that Beausejour is the first stadium in the West Indies that went with lights, shows a progressive nature. St Lucia gets high marks for venue development.”

For tomorrow's match the Caribbean side's final 11 will be chosen from Brian Lara (captain), Christopher Gayle, Runako Morton, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Smith, Denesh Ramdin, Corey Collymore, Fidel Edwards, Jerome Taylor, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Dwayne Bravo and Dave Mohammed.

The West Indies comes into the match leading the series 3-0.

Cricket Bowling Tips And Hints

By Ian Canaway When bowling in cricket there are many possible cricket tips or hints that can help improve your bowling. In bowling, a combination of natural ability, good technique and practice is the recipe for good bowling, whether it is fast, slow or spin. Here are some tips that will help your bowling and when implemented correctly your bowling speed: The basic grip to hold the ball is to keep the seam vertical and to hold the ball with your index finger and middle finger either side of the seam with the side of your thumb resting on the seam underneath the ball. In your approach/run in, try to stay: - Smooth, - Balanced, - Economical, - Rhythmical, - Consistent and stay relaxed and try not to tense up. During your approach and action, your head position is very important. Make sure that as you approach the wicket you are running at a steady, consistent speed, and increase strides. Aim to keep your head as steady and level as possible, looking towards your target. Pull your front arm down and through the target area, making sure you complete the delivery with a full follow through. Try to keep everything in the same direction, towards your target, keep your hips and shoulders parallel/in-line, and follow through the delivery in the direction where you intend the ball to go. Also as a bowler it is very important to stay in great shape, as you’ll enjoy the game more and perform better in the latter stages if you have good stamina. So incorporating some light weight sessions in to your training is important. Also aim to try and run 3 times a week to keep your cardiovascular system in top condition and to improve your stamina. South African fast bowler Makhaya Ntini, is well know for running 10Km every morning, even on match days! But make sure you consult your coach/doctor/gym instructor before starting any sessions. About The Author Ian Canaway Discover amazing cricket tips and tricks at that you can use today to explode your cricket results! Visit: http://www.cricketsecrets.com/bonus.html. ian.canaway@gmail.com

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Visualisation: The Key to Cricket Success?

By Ian Canaway

An excellent cricket tip I picked up is the power of visualisation. It is a skill which is often neglected by cricketers. For batsmen, bowlers and fielders at any level of the game it is an important skill that should be mastered.
Visualisation or guided imagery is a very powerful technique that can help increase both your efficiency and effectiveness in achieving your cricket goals, whether it would be scoring one hundred runs, playing a perfect cover drive or taking that vital wicket or catch.
“You must see your goals clearly and specifically before you can set out for them. Hold them in your mind until they become second nature.” --Les Brown--
All top class athletes utilise visualisation to mentally rehearse what they have to do and how they are going to achieve it. By doing this they train their minds and bodies to actually perform the skill as effectively and efficiently as possible.
For example, before batting Ricky Ponting will have visualised every stroke and shot in his many inning’s this season which have netted him an average of over one hundred so far this season.
When you begin to use visualisation techniques, you want to mentally create a vivid scene in you mind of your wanted outcome. You want this scene to be as detailed and clear as possible, you need to be able to see, feel and smell your success.
Actually visualise your success, picture yourself taking that critical wicket or scoring that winning run. Visualise whatever you want your desired situation to be, how it feels, what your emotions are, imagine being in the situation and succeeding.
Make visualisation a daily activity, to go alongside your other cricket training. By succeeding in your mind you will become more passionate about your cricket and you will work harder, pushing yourself to do whatever is necessary to achieve success.
When using visualisation never ever consider failure or giving up as this will likely be the eventual outcome. Always have a positive mental attitude and draw on your success as inspiration however small they may be.
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. -- Aristotle –
Dream big and aspire to succeed at the highest levels, be patient, work hard and persevere there is nothing except yourself stopping you from achieving your goals in cricket.
About The Author
Ian Canaway
Discover amazing cricket tips and tricks at that you can use today to explode your cricket results! Visit: http://www.cricketsecrets.com/bonus.html.
ian.canaway@gmail.com

Will the Cricket Stadia in the West Indies be Ready for Cricket World Cup 2007?

Back in March, the International Cricket Council (ICC) expressed concern over the negative impact which a Caribbean-wide cement shortage was having on stadia-construction works presently underway in the West Indies as some 13 or so venues worked feverishly to be ready in time for Cricket World Cup 2007 scheduled to start in March next year.
Jamaica and Guyana were reported to have been hardest hit by the shortage. Mr. Don Lockerbie, the ICC's Venue Development Director for Cricket World Cup 2007 while describing the situation as a “let down” sounded the optimistic note that preparations being, in his words, “so far along” he did not expect the challenge to be insurmountable.

On April 13 Cricinfo reported that Jamaica was behind schedule and quoted ASHTROM, the contractors engaged on the stadium-construction works there as admitting that Sabina Park's North Stand which is expected to house the players, officials and television gantries would not be ready in time for the West Indies-Pakistan match scheduled for March 13, 2007.

In what appeared to be an attempt to put a brave face on things, the Jamaican authorities insisted that "the schedule is showing a completion date of February 2007”.

ASHTROM went on to hint darkly that should Jamaica host the West Indies' ONE Day International (ODI) and test match against India scheduled for later this month and the end of June respectively this would jeopardise the February deadline.

This prompted a public expression of JC2007's “very low level of confidence” in what it described as ASHTROM's “commitment” to complete the project.

Meanwhile, Chris Dehring, the Chief Executive Officer of the tournament, has revealed that a revised plan for Sabina Park has now been submitted which, he says, will ensure that the works are completed on time. Speaking to journalists in Grenada last month he reported that Warner Park in St. Kitts was almost finished, while work on the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua and Barbuda was ahead of schedule. He made similar remarks concerning Guyana's Providence Stadium.

Initial concern as to whether Grenada, which was devastated by Hurricane Ivan, would have been ready with its stadium on time, has largely been allayed by the assurances given by that country that their 17,000 seat stadium is being funded and constructed by the People's Republic of China, which prides itself on a well-earned reputation of delivering projects ahead of time.

Today, Don Lockerbie was full of praise for Saint Lucia's state of readiness. He declared that he was “very, very pleased” with the progress of refurbishment works which are ongoing at the state-of-the-art Beausejour Cricket Ground in Gros Islet.

It appears that, in the words of Chris Dehring, it's “full steam ahead” for Cricket World Cup 2007 after all.

Dexter Theodore

Was Gary Sobers the Greatest Cricketer of all Time?

By Dexter Theodore

Sir Garfield St. Auburn Sobers' cricket career spanned two decades, during which time he played 93 tests. As a batsman he scored a record 8,032 runs (including 26 centuries) at an average of 57.78 with a record highest individual score of 365 not out. He also excelled as a bowler, taking 235 wickets at an average of 34.03 runs per wicket. He bowled pace and spin with equal facility. Sir Gary was also a brilliant fieldsman with extraordinary reflexes.

His world record 365 not out achieved against Pakistan on 3rd March 1958, was his maiden test century, made in his fifth test series when he was only 21 years old. It was an outstanding feat made all the more remarkable by the fact that four years earlier when he played his first test match as a 17 year old he had batted at number 9. Sobers' 365 runs were scored in 10 hours and 8 minutes. The previous record holder, Sir Leonard Hutton, had taken 13 hours and 20 minutes to score his 364 runs. When batting maestro, Brian Lara broke Sir Gary's record 36 years later his 375 runs took him 12 hours and 46 minutes.

Sir Donald Bradman, widely acclaimed as the best batsman who ever lived, was a great fan of Sir Garfield and often travelled hundreds of miles to watch Gary play. The Don, as he was affectionately called, rated Gary's 254 made in 1972 for the Rest of the World against an Australian team which included one of the best fast bowlers of all time, Dennis Lillee, as the best innings he had ever seen. One of the most memorable shots made by Sir Gary in that match was a straight drive off Dennis Lillee which hit the boundary boards just as that great bowler was finishing his follow-through.

Sir Gary also had the reputation of scoring when it mattered. Playing for the West Indies against England at Lord's in 1966 his 163 runs transformed the West Indies' second innings from a perilous 95 for 5 to an impressive 369 for 5, declared. In that Test series he amassed 722 runs at an average of 103. He took 20 wickets at an average of 27 runs per wicket and also snapped up 10 catches. This performance is unrivalled in the annals of Test cricket.

Sobers also had the distinction of scoring six successive sixes in one over in a first class match for Nottinghamshire against the hapless Malcolm Nash of Glamorgan.

His most awe-inspiring feat as a bowler came in 1964 when, playing for the E.W. Swanon Eleven against Malysia, he so mesmerised his opposition that he took five wickets in five successive deliveries.

On 19th February 1975 at the Garrison Savannah in Barbados he was knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second for his contribution to the game of cricket.

Dexter Theodore

Footwork in Cricket

Cricket Batting Tips – Foot Work by: Ian Canaway Recently I was asked, “is ‘foot work’ really that important?” When batting in cricket it is essential to have excellent footwork. As good foot work is the basis for achieving excellence in cricket and is the foundation for good batting technique. Foot work is absolutely necessary as all successful strokes start with effective footwork. If you watch Brian Lara, Michael Vaughan, Ricky Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar, all of these amazing batsmen have outstanding footwork, often when these types of players don\'t perform it is simply due to lack of footwork. Good footwork allows you to time the ball well and place the ball in gaps. It gets you in the optimum position to hit the ball, so you can hit it where you want and with ease. If you have been struggling to play a particular shot for some reason it could be due to poor footwork causing bad timing and body positioning. With faster bowlers it is even more essential to have excellent fast and precise footwork, so that you can get into a balanced position, in-line with the ball, so you can play the ball with control. Getting quickly into position through footwork therefore is very important. The more you practice your footwork against both fast and slow bowlers the easier you will gradually find it. Many players do what we call trigger movements just before the bowler releases the ball, this helps get the feet moving into position and into line much quicker and easier, especially against faster bowlers. Next time you watch a game on TV watch the batsmen’s feet really closely as the bowler is about to deliver you’ll see these small ‘trigger movements’ About The Author Ian Canaway Discover amazing cricket tips and tricks at that you can use today to explode your cricket results! Visit: http://www.cricketsecrets.com/bonus.html. ian.canaway@gmail.com

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